1. Why does Moral theology need renewal?

(10 points) EXPLAIN FULLY

As a modern citizen, we always want everything to be understood, and delivered clearly. The
renewal of moral theology doesn’t only account to modernize our catholic system but also to see today’s
perspective of being moral. Morality has always been associated with “good or evil” behavior, whether you
did it with good faith or not if you did something wrong, you will be punished. On the other hand, in the
modernized world we’re in, it will be about why did they do such act, notwithstanding the fact that it was
wrong. Just like how Jesus lived His life on Earth, how he saw people on their insides, and not judging
based on what He sees. As what McDonagh (1964) said and I quoted “ Today, we readily admit that the
church and theology, as the servant of the church, are in constant need of renewal. In its role of faith in search
of understanding, theology tries to interpret and present God’s revelation of Himself in Christ, in a way that is
intelligible and relevant to the contemporary world.”. In addition to that, Harris (2018) added, Renewing Moral
Theology puts Christ at the center of a discussion of how to live well. It is accessible to the Christian who has
an interest in moral questions while being sufficiently tightly argued for the introductory classroom at which it is
also aimed.

It is like putting a book and a laptop on the table. Most of the people would probably pick laptop
instead of books because it can do a lot of things, and it is also high tech. If you focus more on the quality,
you’ll see which one is more useful. Like in Renewed Moral Theology, if we focus on its contents, and
revisions, we will find what we are truly looking for, in a more easier and understandable manner, just like
what Harris said, it puts Christ at the center of a discussion of how to live well.

2. Why do we say that we cannot attain the full realization of inner freedom here on Earth? (10 points)
EXPLAIN FULLY.

In my opinion, we cannot attain this on Earth because for me there are still limitations on our
freedom. Every since we are born, we don’t have to choose what we want, we didn’t even choose to be
born but here we are. In addition,we don’t know when our freedom will be gone, and again, it will not be our
choice. This is supported by Harris (2019), in the blog of Jack Maden he said, “ Take a moment to think
about the context in which your next decision will occur: You did not pick your parents or the time and place of
your birth. You didn't choose your gender or most of your life experiences. You had no control whatsoever
over your genome or the development of your brain. And now your brain is making choices on the basis of
preferences and beliefs that have been hammered into it over a lifetime — by your genes, your physical
development since the moment you were conceived, and the interactions you have had with other people,
events, and ideas. Where is the freedom in this?”. We are convinced that everyday, we are making our own
choices because we believed we have freedom to do so but in reality, we just didn’t have a choice, or that we
are used to taking that path. But in line with this, our choices should honor God, just like what it was said in 1
Corinthians 10:31, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

As what was mentioned above, the perfect example to this is the way we are born, and the way that
we will die. We don’t know when will those two happen, there are sudden events in our life that are
unexplained. Freedom often come with different emotions, and angles, depending on how you want to see it,
and what you want or expect to see.

3. Explain the relationship of external freedom and internal freedom. (10 points) EXPLAIN FULLY.

The relationship makes everything in balance. The freedom to be all we can possibly be and our
freedom to do what we can possibly do says it all. Our inner freedom is what makes us ambitious, it makes
us think about conquering the world, this freedom comes from within us that may limit our choice.. While on
the other hand, external freedom is more on actions. Doing what we possibly can means doing what we
want with a moral judgement to do what’s right, it is a factor from the outside that may threaten to destroy
our power to exercise choice.

4. How can we use Freedom, Law and Conscience in explaining Moral Issues like Abortion, Euthanasia,
and Death Penalty. (10 points) EXPLAIN FULLY.

Sometimes, what is moral to you is not moral to others, what is right for you is not right for others.
There are different approach and perspective regarding these issues. Given the 4 categories of laws, they
sometimes still contradicts each other. There is no great excuse in doing those moral issues but,

5.  What is the attitude of Jesus with regards to Law? (10 points) EXPLAIN FULLY.

On a personal note, Jesus did not only followed the law, He also interpreted with His teachings. In
Matthew 5:17-18, Jesus says, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have not
come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest
letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the law until everything is
accomplished.". It says that a law will never fade unless it is fulfilled, it is also what Jay Craig (2019) observed,
Jesus does not say no part of the law will ever pass away; he says no part of it shall pass away until it is
fulfilled. He says he came to do this very thing, to fulfill it. So, with his coming, the law has been fulfilled and
has passed away. We now live under the law of Christ, not beneath the law of Moses. In addition, he also
said, Jesus interprets the law for us. Laws given to humans are of different kinds. There are positive laws,
limited in their application to a certain time or place.
References:

Harris, Renewing Moral Theology: Christian Ethics as Action, Character, and Grace, 2018.
https://muse.jhu.edu/article/685083#:~:text=Renewing%20Moral%20Theology%20puts%20
Christ,which%20it%20is%20also%20aimed

McDonagh, “Moral Theology: The need for Renewal.” 1964.

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/002114006403100401?journalCode=itqa

Malden, J., “Why you probably don’t have free will?”, 2019.
https://philosophybreak.com/articles/free-will-illusion-sam-harris/

40 Encouraging Bible Verses About Choices and Making Wise Decisions.

https://bloggersforthekingdom.com/bible-verses-about- choices/#:~:text=What%20does%20the
%20Bible%20say%20about%20freedom%20of%20choice%3 F,through%20love%20serve%20one
%20another.%E2%80%9D

Craig, J., Christ's relationship to Old Testament Law, 2019.

https://www.whig.com/archive/article/christs-relationship-to-old-testament-law-part-
one/article_3c5c9dbb-bf06-5f17-8fe5-32a97841f2c4.html