Theology 3: Christian Vision in Society
Unit 8: Historical Development of CST
How did the Social Teachings of the Church develop?
JUSTICE
-Justice is the virtue which inclines us to give to God
and to man what is due to them.
The dignity of the human person is rooted in his or
her creation in the image and likeness of God.
Endowed with a spiritual and immortal soul,
intelligence and free will, the human person is
ordered to God and called in soul and in body to
eternal beatitude. - CCC 1699-1715
-Human Intellect enables us to recognize and
understand God’s command to do good and
avoid evil.
-Free Will enables us to choose good with the
guidance of our conscience and to obey God’s
law of love
BIBLICAL ROOTS OF THE CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING
-The BIBLE is a source of CATHOLIC SOCIAL
TEACHING
-The BIBLE is the foundation of a
JudeoChristian vision of life... [Bible]
discloses the kind of God… [a God who is]
interested in the world, in human history,
and in the manner in which humans live
in community. (Donahue, 2005)
JUSTICE IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
Sedakah / sedaqah – righteousness
-Righteousness in the biblical sense, goes
beyond personal rectitude of following
rules, laws and commands. It has social
character. <The biblical idea of justice
can be described as fidelity to the
demands of a relationship.= (Donahue)
Mishpath/ mishpat – to judge
-Characterized not simply as the judgment
of God and his capability to punish and
reward individuals but again it has a
social dimension, i.e., God9s governance
that places order in the society.
The Old Testament concepts of justice as both mishpat
and sedaqah, that are understood primarily within the
context of Yahweh’s governance and one’s relationship
both with Yahweh and his fellow human beings in the
community, allows us to appreciate more the New
Testament emphasis on the link between justice and
charity.
Micah 6:8
What is it the Lord requires of us?
-Only to do justice,
-and to love mercy,
-and to walk humbly with your God
CHRIST’S ACTIVE ROLE IN THE SOCIETY
Christ as a TEACHER
Christ’s teaching gives emphasis on over the
law, and on the virtues of justice and charity
over the legal code. (Luke 10:25-37)
Christ preaches the KINGDOM OF GOD
Calls people for metanoia (conversion of heart)
Conversion which is nonviolent
Hopeful preparation for its realization in the
future.
Christ as a LIBERATOR
Christ heals and liberates people both from
physical and spiritual illness.
Christ’s liberation is also at the same time a
restoration (personal and communal).
THE EARLY CHRISTIAN’S ABILITY TO INSTRUCT ONE
ANOTHER ON THE SOCIAL INVOLVEMENT
The early Christian community has endeavored to follow
the examples of Christ.
Duty to give (Act 2:44-45; 20:35; Tim 6:17-19)
-It is not right for one to live in luxury while
others live in want. – Clement of Alexandria
Deposits of piety
-according to Tertullian is used in feeding the
needy, in burying them, in support of youths
and maidens destitute of means and deprived
of their parents, in the care of the aged, and
the relief of the shipwrecked.
Endeavor to establish unity and solidarity (Gal 3:28;
Col 3:11)
right relationship