What is "moral theology"?

[Pellman]

… and how does the meaning of “moral theology” differ from that of the unqualified term “morality”?

 

[ForwardProgress]

Moral theology is where all of the church infighting is born.

 

[Godfollower]

“Theology” is the study of God. It has quite a few subdivisions (speculative theology, systematic theology, dogmatic theology, etc.). “Moral theology” is the study of Man’s relationship with God, with a specific eye toward how Man must live to be in accord with God’s will. It teaches such things as good and evil, right and wrong, free will, conscience, love, responsibility, and so forth. It is sometimes synonymized with “Christian ethics,” though that term is less well-defined.

“Morality” is a broader term, generally understood to mean something like a system for determining right from wrong. It doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with God, though (athiests have a sense of morality), so it isn’t necessarily based in theology at all.

 

[Strategery]

For the purpose of this forum, I think it means sex, and whether something is a sin.

 

[Newbie2]

For the purpose of this forum, I think it means sex, and whether something is a sin.

Not far off. Whether or not an action or inaction is a sin really hinges on our relationship with the Almighty. Most prevalent in our society is sexuality, at least out in the open, and that’s probably why many threads regarding sexuality get started here.

I’d define it as the study of our responsibility to behave as God would want us to, in a given set of circumstances. Some are easy to figure out, some we struggle with.

The term “Christian Morality” could also apply.

 

[JDaniel]

… and how does the meaning of “moral theology” differ from that of the unqualified term “morality”?

From *Right and Reason *- Austin Fagothey

“Moral theology and ethics both study the rightness and wrongness of human conduct; they differ in the source from which they derive their knowledge and in the method of pursuing their conclusions. Moral theology proceeds from the standpoint of divine revelation and ecclesiastical law, ethics from the standpoint of natural human reason alone. They differ somewhat in content and purpose also, since moral theology teaches the effective supernatural Christian life with the view of attaining a supernatural end. As strictly a part of philosophy, ethics is not allowed to appeal to revealed sources for its facts or arguments nor should it discuss ecclesiastical legislation. Philosophy and religion are often concerned with the same problems, but their approach to them is quit different and should never be confused. Ethics is philosophy and not religion.”

jd

 

[Pellman]

Thanks, all.