Analysis of Theological Ethics - Paper Example

Introduction

In a world where the question of morality is looked down upon and in the institutions where students learn, the big problem is how the students can make the right decisions and have the correct responses. There are multiple answers concerning the fulfilling right and worthwhile things and how the youth face a dilemma on what choices to make. Till guides, the reader through the history of Christian ethics to assist the reader gets a good ground that could easily motivate them in the moral life today.

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Particular attention is given to Augustine and Aristotle, and it deduces a balanced look on the moral virtues, religious and natural laws. Till presents the reader with bright illustrations that help them to appreciate the different turns of the moral life (Van & Mouw, 2012). Till says that the relationship that she has with Christ shapes her identity and how she understands the world. She also brings out the fact that Christian life is primarily controlled by the bible which is the standard of character. She, however, says that the guide should not be taken as an ethics textbook but should be contemplated upon and whatever issues taught therein should be discerned.

Till brings out the value of virtue ethics and she says that for you to be a real Christian, then you have to be faithful to the teachings of the Bible and be willing to submit to the will of God. It is possible to live a life full of integrity and morality, and everyone can meet the standards. The Christianity of our time is full of compromise, and there are not stern issues in place (Van & Mouw, 2012). These, however, can be changed and the right criteria can be met.

Some circumstances in life portray considerable dilemmas in which one finds it very difficult to remain faithful to the moral standards that they have learnt over time. In his story of the Holocaust, Elie Wiesel gets into a hopeless situation where he concludes that God is dead. A conclusion that looks very awkward, yet as human beings we are sometimes caught up in such cases. This young man believes that his escape from death is so that he could be of great help to his Jewish brothers (Wiesel & Wiesel, 2017). After witnessing the harsh treatments that his close family members hat to go through, he becomes less human and is ready to do anything for the sake of his life.

Wiesel feels ashamed of himself forever, and according to him, it is like everything is lost. He thinks that he has no relative at all and this makes him heartless. Even with strong convictions about the right thing to be done, when exposed to extreme conditions, someone may lose the moral standards that they have learnt over time. A selfish attitude can as well be developed along the way, for instance, Wiesel says that everyone lives and dies for himself (Wiesel & Wiesel, 2017). This is an attitude which is not very right. According to Wiesel, everything was lost, and nothing was left to be done. There was no hope for the future for it was the night.

The witnessing of the temple being destroyed at this terrible time was a big blow on Wiesel for the central question that could quickly arise from this episode is that where was God and could he not protect the place where He is worshipped. Young babies were thrown in the air then targeted by the machine guns, which is a very barbaric act. When this was done, each of the persons taken captive was shot at the neck, and some of them were murdered when their sons and daughters were witnessing (Wiesel & Wiesel, 2017). Such circumstances are very discouraging and can quickly make one lose the morality that they have learnt over the time. If it is not for some higher power, living a moral life comes with serious challenges that should be overcome. This experience is an excellent example of the extent to which injustice is practiced in the society and how these evil traits are cultured, inherited and exercised by people.

After the deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt, God instructed Moses to make two stone tablets upon which God would write the Ten Commandments. God then descends on top of Mount Sinai and speaks the Ten Commandments with a voice of thunder. These were the Decalogue upon which the Jewish faith is founded. There are other directions which were given to Moses and these he wrote down by himself, and they were still used as the codes of ethics. These laws given by God through Moses have been widely known as the Mosaic Law (Kohlenberger, 2003). Some of these laws are no longer in use since they have become obsolete. The book of Exodus extensively discusses the various types of such rules and how the transgression of each was to be met.

The book of Matthew, on the other hand, gives very high standards of living for the Christians. Jesus in what is widely referred to as the Sermon on the Mount claims that he has not come to do away with the law but to fulfil it. In as much as this claim is valid, there are several differences in the teachings of Jesus that are entirely different from the teachings of Moses. One of the differences is the strict adherence claimed by Moses to the code of conduct (Kohlenberger, 2003). Jesus, on the other hand, argues that love is the fulfilment of the law. While Mosaic Law views adultery as the act of sleeping with a woman, Jesus says that if one looks at a woman lustfully, then the person has committed adultery with the woman in his heart.

Moses taught that revenge is allowed and if someone hits you, then the only legal thing to do is to hit back. He explained that, teeth for teeth and eye for an eye. Jesus, on the other hand, shows that when someone hits one side of your cheek, then the best thing to do is to turn for him the other side to catch and when he takes your coat, then the ideal thing to do is to give the person even your shirt. While Moses refers to murder as the actual taking of someone's life, Jesus teaches that if one hates a brother in the heart, then he is an equivalent of a murderer.

Moses taught that people should hate their enemies and love their neighbours and friends. Jesus, on the other hand, shows that one ought to love their enemies and treat them well. This he says giving an example that God allows rain to fall on the wicked just as the righteous. While there were Judges commissioned by Mosaic laws to settle disputes and condemn the wrongdoers, Jesus teaches that one should not judge because the measure that you use to weigh someone will be used to consider you. In as much as the standards set by Jesus Christ seems to be unattainable, He says that we should strive to be perfect just like the Father in heaven is perfect (Kohlenberger, 2003). Christian moral life is lived to the set standard; a lot of peace of mind can be experienced.

Good life according to Richard Gula can be achieved when morality and spirituality are connected. The beatitudes are good teaching that shows how morality and spirituality can be joined by the use of the known virtues to point to how these are vital in the Kingdom of God. Jesus emphasises on the beatitudes for they summaries the standards by which human beings should live daily. For instance, the first beatitude which states that blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of God. This beatitude encourages those who may feel very low to depend on God and trust in His providence (Gula, 1999). The second one which states that blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted is an assurance of a future consolation that shall be availed for those who hope in God in as much as they go through tribulations.

There are great promises given to the meek, the merciful, and the pure in heart, the peacemakers and those who persevere in persecution for the sake of God. These essential virtues when practised in the society, the vices that are repeatedly witnessed will no longer be in place. Gula elaborates the Catholic social justice in stages used to make a right decision. He says that the first step to making a decision is to make the inquiry, followed by judgment. To be conscious free, this judgment should not just be stumbled into but should be taken thoughtfully. In the first step of Catholic Social justice, the big question asked is, what is going on (Gula, 1999). The second step of Catholic social justice is the judgment which follows a thoughtful look with objectivity in the first step.

This second is also inclusive of a reflection on responsibility. It also includes analysing the reason for the existence of the situation. According to Byron, every human being is created in the image of God and redeemed by Jesus Christ. Therefore each human nature has dignity and should be handled with care. Byron also states that human life should be respected and that human beings are social beings and so should freely associate with the rest. Every human being has the right to participate in every activity in society, and their interests should be protected. Again people should be brother's keepers and are expected to submit to authority.

Byron affirms that people are all equal and this is essential for their dignity. Lastly, there is the principle which states that everyone should be out for the common good of their neighbours. These teachings are in line with Gula's teachings and elaborations of the beatitudes. The beatitudes are a reflection of the connections between the virtues and the principles of the Kingdom of God while the tenets of Byron are a diversion for the peaceful coexistence of humanity (Gula, 1999). These two teachings can easily be integrated, and a harmonious result is found. When the principles taught by Gula and those shown by Byron are intertwined, a good result is obtained.

In the world, there are several issues of justice and injustice, yet among these awkward moments, a dedicated lover is required to go all the way. A love which according to many people may seem to be reckless and unreasoning is needed in these times. In the video, there are several episodes which are not very friendly. The poor are oppressed and given harsh treatments. The just are disposed of for money while the poor are exchanged for a pair of sandals. At the time when Christ was taking his last breath on the cross, Mary patiently with a lot of hope waited the day when Jesus would resurrect (Day, 2012). In as much as there are sufferings that the Church is facing in the recent times, there is hope that Christ will come back and redeem the Church from all these oppressions.

A good Christian is expected to talk about the tribulations that they are undergoing boldly. The church is fought seriously because of her stand against the social injustices that are practised in the world today.

The powerful are warned not to use the political influence they have and not to poorly use the weaponry and the power that is at their disposal (Day, 2012). Torture is thoroughly discouraged because it is a sin. The struggle for human rights, dignity and freedom, is a fight that should be joined by everyone who is congregating in the church.

The theological ethics addresses issues that affect human life directly. These touch on the effects of Abortion, Alcohol, Divorce, Sexual morality and Celibacy, Homosexuality, Slavery, Violence, Wealth and Poverty (Dorothy Day Story, 2016). These areas directly influence the lives of human beings and should be supported by everyone who is for the well-being of others. It is very prudent to be morally upright for the sake of the society. This course advocate for such standards. Faith should be very radical instead of following the view of everyone blindly (RomeroDVD: Catholic Church: Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming: Internet Archive, n.d.). It is possible to live up to these standards that are advocated for in this course, more so when the expected results have been outlined as...