The comprehensive introduction to Catholic moral theology by the leading theologian and author of The Moral Virtues and Theological Ethics. In Introduction to Moral Theology, Father Romanus Cessario, O.P. presents and expounds on the basic and central elements of Catholic moral theology written in the light of Veritatis splendor. Since its publication in 2001, this first book in the Catholic Moral Thought series has been widely recognized as an authoritative resource on such topics as moral theology and the good of the human person created in God’s image; natural law; principles of human action; determination of the moral good through objects, ends, and circumstances; and the virtues, gifts of the Holy Spirit, and the Beatitudes. The Catholic Moral Thought series is designed to provide students with a comprehensive presentation of both the principles of Christian conduct and the specific teachings and precepts for fulfilling the requirements of the Christian life. Soundly based in the teaching of the Church, the volumes set out the basic principles of Catholic moral thought and the application of those principles within areas of ethical concern that are of paramount importance today.

Richard Hooker (1554-1600) is often credited with being the founding father of Anglican moral theology. This book is the first major study to examine in depth the extent to which this claim is justified, and to evaluate the nature of Hooker's contribution to this aspect of Anglican tradition. The study roots Hooker firmly within his own historical context and considers his text principally on its own terms; thus it avoids many of the problems that have bedevilled modern Hooker scholarship, particularly where attempts have been made to 'claim' him for one particular theological tradition over another, or to approach his work primarily with an eye to its continued relevance to contemporary debate within Anglicanism, both of which can lead to significant distortions in the way in which Hooker is read and interpreted. What emerges amounts to a significant re-evaluation of much of the conventional wisdom about Hooker's place within Anglicanism, as well as a range of original insights into the nature, content, and style of his work and its wider significance.

Charles J. Callan's 'Moral Theology' stands as a magisterial work that delves deeply into the ethical foundations and implications of Catholic doctrine as synthesized by the Angelic Doctor, St. Thomas Aquinas. With an incisive and systematic approach, Callan elucidates the Thomistic principles that underpin moral action, providing a meticulous explication that weaves together Aquinas's rich legacy with biblical teachings. The book aligns itself squarely within the neo-scholastic movement, offering a literary style that is both rigorous in scholastic methodology and accessible to those seeking a profound understanding of Catholic moral reasoning. We find within its pages a framework that not only sheds light on moral conundrums but also remains relevant in contemporary discourse. Reverend Charles Jerome Callan, a man of profound theological insight and academic prowess, composed this comprehensive treatise to invite both clergy and laypersons into the depths of Catholic moral understanding. His scholarly background, particularly his expertise in Scripture and Thomistic thought, provided a fertile ground for this endeavor, as Callan sought to articulate and promote an orthodox yet dynamic vision of moral theology shaped by Aquinas's intellectual heritage. His purpose was not only to educate but also to inspire a lived moral experience aligned with the Catholic faith. 'Moral Theology' is thus an essential text for theologians, philosophers, and any student of Catholic moral teaching. It serves as a vital reference that compels the reader towards a deeper engagement with ethical questions, viewed through the lens of Aquinas's timeless wisdom. Scholars and practitioners of theology will find in Callan's work both a bridge to the medieval mind and a guide to applying enduring principles in a modern world. This book is especially recommended for those seeking an intellectually authentic and spiritually enriching exploration of Catholic morality.

This Element has two aims. The first is to discuss arguments philosophers have made about the difference God's existence might make to questions of general interest in metaethics. The second is to argue that it is a mistake to think we can get very far in answering these questions by assuming a thin conception of God, and to suggest that exploring the implications of thick theisms for metaethics would be more fruitful.

This book offers the first sustained, full-length treatment of the wide-ranging work of major Anglican theologian Oliver O'Donovan. Analyzing such key texts as Resurrection and Moral Order, The Desire of the Nations and Ethics as Theology, Samuel Tranter shows that the relationship between eschatology and ethics is an area of significant tension in O'Donovan's evolving vision of moral theology. Tranter traces this tension as it relates to O'Donovan's writing and contemporary discussion around natural law, divine command and human flourishing, as well as to particular topics such as poverty, marriage and singleness and biotechnology. He also connects it with the broader doctrinal features of O'Donovan's project, such as his accounts of creation, sin and redemption, and his understanding of the relationships between the cross and the resurrection, on one hand, and Christology and pneumatology, on the other. Throughout, Tranter indicates the implications of these themes for our understanding of the Christian life. This volume establishes and evaluates O'Donovan's influence on contemporary Christian ethicists and political theologians (such as Luke Bretherton, Gilbert Meilaender, Jean Porter and Brent Waters), and engages with critical readings of O'Donovan (such as those by Stanley Hauerwas and Gerald McKenny). In conversation with these and other voices from a range of perspectives, Tranter shows how O'Donovan's proposals may be appropriated and amended as a resource for theology and ethics going forward.

A collection of essays by three giants of twentieth-cenutry theology: Joseph Ratzinger (now Pope Benedict XVI), Hans Urs von Balthasar, and Heinz Schurmann. Balthasar's and Schurmann's essays were written for the International Theological Commission. Schurmann examines how the New Testament's teaching provides enduring moral norms for Christian conduct. Balthasar presents nine basic principles of the Christian moral life. Ratzinger, who originally wrote this essay as a series of articles for L'Osservatore Romano, addresses the relationship between faith and morality, and the place of the Church's teaching authority with regard to moral issues. Learn more about Pope Benedict! Visit the