J
josephback
Guest
From the Catholic point of view does the law, any law, possess the ability to reform people? Thanks in advance
- Status
K
Katholish
Guest
The laws of a community certainly have an instructive value. Not only do they enforce certain kinds of behavior, but they are meant to teach what good behavior truly is. That may not be their primary end, nor is law the primary means of instruction, but it is a true aspect and benefit of law.From the Catholic point of view does the law, any law, possess the ability to reform people? Thanks in advance
If you had something else in mind, it might be best to be more specific. How would law reform a person?
J
josephback
Guest
Change their inner being. Who they are. For instance, can the law reform a man apart from God’s grace? Or am I right in equating such a thought with Pelagianism?
T
TimothyH
Guest
Yes, absolutely.From the Catholic point of view does the law, any law, possess the ability to reform people? Thanks in advance
The superspeeder law in the state of Georgia reformed me, that’s for sure.
One $500 speeding ticket and I slowed right down.
-Tim-
K
Katholish
Guest
In a strict philosophical sense, something cannot change its “inner being” or “who or what they are”. We can change our condition or our habits, but cannot change our human nature. I don’t think that is what you meant though, so moving on…
If by “reform” you mean be clensed from sin, then no. Only God’s grace can do that. Baptism is required to remove Original Sin. It was the Pelagian Heresy which said that good works, apart from God’s Grace could “earn” us a place in Heaven.
If by “reform” you mean something more simple, like stop smoking (i.e. changing some bad habit), then yes, human laws (like that kind passed by the state or federal government) can instruct us on how to live better and present us with a form of coercion to improve our habits.
- Status