Moral Theology & Ethics
What is Christian Ethics & Moral Theology?
"Christian ethics is the branch of theology that studies human acts so as to direct them to a loving vision of God seen as our true, complete happiness and our final end. This vision is attained by means of grace, the virtues, and the gifts, in the light of revelation and reason." By Servais Pinckaers in The Sources of Christian Ethics
Moral Theology and Ethics is a central element of the Anglican theological tradition. Practical Divinity, as this area of theology is also called within Anglicanism, connects faith and action. Anglicans have a long history of concern with both the moral dimensions individual and corporate life. Anglicans have been active in education, medical treatment, the anti-slavery movement, poverty relief and a variety of other areas of social concern. They have also focused on the individual moral life, with great attention to the development of virtue through a Rule of Life including regular prayer and study.
Contents
Recommended Reading
Hayes, Richard The Moral Vision of the New Testament (HarperCollins, 1996). This text appears on many syllabi for Ethics courses at Anglican Seminaries and provides a good introduction to the integration of Holy Scripture and Christian Ethics.
Pinckaers, Servais The Sources of Christian Ethics A basic introduction to the history of the Catholic moral tradition.
Resources
In addition to the contemporary books listed above, there are many primary source books from the Anglican tradition which offer greater insight into the deposit of wisdom offered by the Body of Christ throughout the centuries.
Of the Laws of Ecclesiastical Polity Rev. Richard Hooker
Holy Living Rt. Rev. Jeremy Taylor
Sub-Sections of Moral Theology & Ethics
a. Ability to identify morally relevant information in a situation b. Evaluate using 3 methods: consequences, rules, character/virtue c. Resources from scripture & tradition d. Lives of the saints - exemplars of Christian life e. Mandated Reporter f. Individual & corporate g. Pastoral implications h. Sacrament of confession i. Cure of Souls j. Contemporary Moral Issues
