MCC203

PAULINE ETHICS

ALLAN PEEJAY MAQUIRAYA LAPPAY, PhD

A
Ethics and Morality: Etymological Meaning

Ethics- derived from the Greek word

ethos which means custom or
particular behavior.

Moral- comes from the Latin word mos,

moris, which means custom.
Are all (human)
customs subject of
ethical studies?
But the human customs
studied in Ethics are NOT the
social manners (etiquettes),
conventions, and fashions
which differ according to
nations and which change
from time to time.
In Ethics, custom
means a more or less
permanent moral
behavior in accordance
with the precepts of the
natural moral law
which is universally
known and common to
all men.
Natural Law
All persons inevitably recognize
the existence of a moral order
and by nature they are inclined to
DO what they recognize as
GOOD/RIGHT and to AVOID what
they recognize as EVIL/WRONG.
All men naturally respect the life
and property of others, defend
their lives, etc.
Good enables a being or a
thing to serve its GOAL.
Right enables a being or a
thing to conform to a
RULE.

PURPOSE/
END
Good that benefits all.
DUTY
Rules that are acted upon
accordingly.
 GOODNESS constitutes human act.

The more one does what is good,

the freer one becomes. There is no true
freedom except in the service of what is good and
just. The choice to disobey and do evil is an abuse of
freedom and leads to the slavery of sin. CCC, 1733

We know that in all things God works for the good of

those who love him, who have been called according to his
purpose. (Rom.8:28)
If Ethics speaks of END/PURPOSE, what is
the end of Man?
An end is that towards which an action
tends. Every human activity tends
towards the direction of an end, which
in the last result, is the good that
perfects some faculties.
Therefore, any act, with knowledge of
the mind and consent of the will,
pursues an end which is good for the
sensitive or for the rational appetite, or
for the whole human being.
1. A man may think he is happy if he can avail himself of the
goods and pleasures that money can buy. But riches cannot
confer full happiness in spite of the fact they give man.
2. A man may think that happiness is his because he is
physically strong. But human happiness cannot consist in
the health of a body that will disintegrate and return to the
inorganic world of matter.
3. Happiness is generally identified with bodily pleasures and
the luxuries of life. But pleasures cannot offer a real and
perfect happiness for they carry a sense of limitation and
discomfort.
4. Glory, prestige, honor, and social glamour cannot offer man
a complete and lasting happiness, for these things are
established upon the whims and caprices of fickle public
opinion.
 Eudaimonia Beatitudo
Good + Spirit Blessedness
happiness or welfare happiness
(Gk.) (Lat.)
Beatitude responds to the natural
desire for happiness. This desire is of
divine origin: God has placed it in
the human heart in order to draw
man to the One who alone can fulfill
it. (CCC 1718)
Beatitude is the goal of human existence, the
ultimate end of human acts: God calls us to his
own beatitude. This vocation is addressed to
each individual personally, but also to the Church
as a whole, the new people made up of those
who have accepted the promise and live from it
in faith. (CCC 1719)
BLAISE PASCHAL

All men have

happiness as their
object. There is no
exception. However
different the means
they employ, they all
aim at the same end.
 ST. AUGUSTINE

Following after God is

the desire of happiness;
to reach God is
happiness itselfFor
whoever possesses God
is happy.
ST. THOMAS AQUINAS
Happiness is two-
fold; the one is
imperfect and it is
possible in this life;
the other is perfect,
consisting in the
vision of God.
ST. PAUL

Philippians 4:8
 KNOWLEDGE

Right way of
Making

HUMAN FREEDOM
ACT
Right way of Doing

VOLUNTARINESS
 Freedom is the power, rooted in reason
and will, to act or not to act, to do this or
that, and so to perform deliberate
actions on one's own responsibility. By
free will one shapes one's own life and
enhances mastery of his will over his
acts. Human freedom is a force for
growth and maturity in truth and
goodness; it attains its perfection
when directed toward God, our
BEATITUDE.
Self Mastery and Self Determination
Maturity and Motivation and
Character Choices
 Happiness consists in achieving,
through the course of a whole
lifetime, all the goods health,
wealth, knowledge, friends, etc.
that lead to the perfection of
human nature and to the
enrichment of human life. This
requires us to make CHOICES,
some of which may be very difficult.
Often the lesser good promises
immediate pleasure and is more
tempting, while the greater good is
painful and requires some sort of
sacrifice.
ARISTOTLE
PAULINE ETHICS 1. The Foundation of Pauline Ethics
2. The Theological and Cultural Considerations of
Pauline Ethics
3. St. Pauls Ethical System
A. Necessity of Grace
B. Christian Ethics
C. Leadership Ethics
D. Theological Virtues
E. Christian Gifts
F. Stewardship
4. Paulinian Education
A. Education as Formation
B. Core Values
The Foundation of
Pauline Ethics
GRAMMATICAL Structure
LITERARY Structure
LOGICAL Structure
 These structures are the
ELEMENTS in St. Pauls
Epistles, from which Pauline
Ethics are deduced or derived.
 Foundation of Pauline St. Pauls Ethical
Ethics Teaching
Grammatical The interplay of the It flows from moral vision
Structure facts and demands of rather than moral rules.
faith
Literary The importance of It sets that being in Christ
Structure Christ nurtures the capacity to see
things above.
Logical The indispensible It teaches that in Christ there
Structure relationship between is victory over sin and that
Christ and God through Christ , humanity is
renewed and has the
capacity to obey God.
 The Theological and
Cultural Considerations
of Pauline Ethics
The NATURE of GOD
The ETHICAL USE of the BODY
The TRANSCENDENCE of GOD
These are the CONTEXTS in
which discussions on Pauline
Ethics proceed. These are
important so as to foster a
better understanding of St.
Paul and his times.
 Theological and
Cultural Considerations
The Nature of God
The Ethical Use of the Body
The Transcendence of God
Pauline Ethics
Ethical life must be a
life of continuing
relation to God.
Human beings created
by God constitute a
single unity.
God's nature and
power is entirely
independent of the
physical world.
 Eschatological
(Mans End is God)
Theological

Theocentric
(Christocentric)
Pauline
Ethics Faith Animation
(Obedience to Gods
Will)
Practical

Virtues
(Good Christian Life)
Gods gift of salvation was one of pure love. He
desired humanity to join him in heaven, but he
could not force us to accept his gift of love. Upon
creating humans, he endowed us with free will so
that we could freely return his infinite love with
love.
However, human experience shows that people
often have a tendency to draw toward evil and
selfish passions. This misplaced love
for the things of our natural world is a result of the
original sin of mankind and the continuing
temptation. In order to help humanity choose
God over selfishness and temporal happiness,
the crucifixion of Jesus brought forth a new
gift: the gift of grace.
St. Paul indicates that the
reign of justice in Jesus
Christ exceeds the reign of
sin. This superabundant
grace is not because of sin
as if the grace of Christ was
a consequence of sin, but it
is superabundant because it
precedes, excels and repairs
sin. The bounty of divine
grace can be understood
from the preceding primacy
of Christ.
 Grace builds on Nature.
Through this, St. Thomas Aquinas is referring to the
fact that all of creation is a theatre of grace, the
stage upon which the drama of salvation unfolds.
For Aquinas, grace "builds on nature." The
supernatural life does not negate or destroy
the natural world. Rather, grace sanctifies,
elevates and renews nature.
Grace also works through nature. We are not just
temples of the Holy Spirit, but instruments of the Spirit
as well. We are collaborating with God in extending the
boundaries of His Kingdom on Earth of love and
peace.
For St. Paul, freedom is not gained
by observance of the law, but rather
the freedom that Christ brought by
his death and resurrection. Moreover,
God had graced humanity with the
gift of justification through faith in
the risen Christ, not in response to
good works. Thus, one is free
through Christ and justified
through Gods gracious mercy.
 CHRISTIAN ETHICS
FREEDOM JUSTIFICATION
Freedom from Moral From Works to Faith
Libertinism
From Faith to Charity
Freedom from Self-
Interestedness

Freedom from Slavery

Thus, (Christian) Freedom
never corresponds to
licentiousness or the whim to
do whatever one wants. It
conforms to Christ, and so is
authentic service to one's
brothers, especially the
neediest.
Charity and good works enliven,
and; work with faith and hope for
the justification of man. Good works
are not meant for the glorification
and boasting of man, but for the
glorification and love for God, the
members of the Body of Christ, and
indeed all men.
Christian Ethics is not born from
a system of commandments, but
rather is the consequence of our
friendship with Christ. This
friendship influences life: if it is
true, it incarnates and fulfills itself
in love for neighbor.

Pope Benedict XVI

Nov. 8, 2008
 St. Pauls
LEADERSHIP ETHICS
St. Paul as Visionary
St. Paul as Passion Infuser
St. Paul as Fighter
St. Paul as Encourager
St. Paul as Determined Man of Integrity
St. Paul as Stabilizer
St. Paul as Compromiser
St. Paul as Giver and Helper
St. Paul as Realist
St. Paul as Community Builder
St. Paul as Victorious Sufferer
 How do
Ethical Leadership
and
Servant Leadership
reflect
St. Pauls Leadership
traits?
 Leadership Traits of St. Paul relative to
Ethical and Servant Leadership
Leadership Servant Leadership Ethical Leadership
Traits of St. Paul
Visionary and Conceptualization Ethical leadership creates a
Realist and Foresight good climate within the
organization.
Passion Infuser Listening Ethical leadership allows
you to occupy the moral
high ground.
Encourager Persuasion Ethical leadership models
ethical behavior to the
organization and the
community.
 Leadership Traits of St. Paul relative to
Ethical and Servant Leadership
Leadership Traits Servant Leadership Ethical Leadership
of St. Paul
Determined Man of Empathy Ethical leadership
Integrity brings credibility and
respect, both for you
and the organization.
Fighter, Stabilizer Awareness Ethical leadership is
and Compromiser simply the right way to
go.
Giver and Helper Commitment to the Ethical leadership can
growth of people lead to collaboration.
 Leadership Traits of St. Paul relative to
Ethical and Servant Leadership
Leadership Traits Servant Leadership Ethical Leadership
of St. Paul
Community Builder Building Community Ethical leadership
and Stewardship builds trust.
Victorious Sufferer Healing Ethical leadership
affords self-respect.
 St. Pauls
THEOLOGICAL VIRTUES
The theological virtues are
the foundation of Christian
moral activity; they animate
it and give it its special
character. They inform and
give life to all the moral
virtues.
There are three things that last: FAITH, HOPE
and LOVE. But greatest of these is love.
1 Cor. 13:13
Faith is the theological virtue
by which we believe in God
and believe all that he has
said and revealed to us,
because he is truth itself. By
faith man freely commits his
entire self to God. For this
reason the believer seeks to
know and do Gods will.
Mission to Faith:
Communicators of FAITH in a
world resigned to INCREDULITY.
Hope is the theological virtue
by which we desire the
kingdom of heaven and
eternal life as our happiness,
placing our trust in Christs
promises and relying not on
our own strength, but on the
help of the grace of the Holy
Spirit.
Mission to Hope:
Communicators of HOPE in a world
that is often tempted to DESPAIR.
Love is the theological
virtue by which we love
God above all things
for his own sake, and
our neighbor as
ourselves for the love of
God.
Mission to Love:
Communicators of LOVE in a world
whose logic is often that of most
unbridled EGOISM.
 St. Pauls
CHRISTIAN GIFTS
 In Romans (12:4-11),
St. Paul writes of
seven Christian
GIFTS OF SERVICE
in building a
community of
believers, the Church.
 St. Paul on
STEWARDSHIP
 Stewardship is about how we treat each other and all of
STEWARDSHIP Gods creation, as well as how we use and share the time
we have available and the talents God has given us.
Stewardship is a way of life based on gratitude
for all Gods generous gifts.
Stewardship involves our need to give, rather
than giving to a need.
Stewardship is a total way of life, a conversion
of mind and heart.
Stewardship is not something we do, it is about
who we are, and who we are.
Stewardship is about asking ourselves, What
do we own, and what owns us?
Stewardship is an act of worship, rather than an
obligation.
Life is not just about us, but about Gods will for
us. We always have to live in the awareness that
all things belong to God. We are called to be
stewards of those things God has entrusted to us.
St. Paul recognizes the fact
that the purpose of everything
we do is always for the GOOD
not only for ourselves but
for others as well. He knew in
his heart, that LOVE is
always the basis for doing
everything that is good. Thus,
stewardship springs from
goodness that is born out of
love.
 Stewardship recognizes that
everything we have in this life is a
SACRED TRUST from God. He
allows us to use His creation and
intends it for our good.

We brought nothing in
this world, and it is
certain that we can carry
nothing out.
1 Timothy 6:7
 Stewardship is how we manage and
use all that God has given us. Some
have more, some have less, but all
have the privilege, duty and
responsibility. It is because the heart
of the stewardship is SERVICE of
which being trustworthy characterized
a true steward.
This is how one should regard us,
as servants of Christ and stewards
of the mysteries of God. Moreover,
it is required of stewards that they
be found trustworthy.
1 Corinthians 4:1
 Stewardship is a MEANS (not
an End) by which our Lord
provides for our needs and to
work with fellow believers in
reaching out others with the
message of life and love.
It brings praise to God
because of His wonderful
grace. God gave that grace to
us freely in Christ, the one he
loves.
Ephesians 1:6
 St. Paul on
EDUCATION
What are we to know?

For St. Paul: Gods Word.

When we acquire
spiritual knowledge
and apply it to our
lives, we serve the
Lord in spirit and
truth (Rom. 6:11-13).
Paul, a servant of God and
an apostle of Jesus Christ to
further the faith of God's
elect and their knowledge
of the truth that leads to
godliness, in the hope of
eternal life, which God, who
does not lie, promised before
the beginning of time.
Titus 1:1-2
PAULINIAN CORE VALUES
The Paulinian Core Values support
the formation of Paulinian learners.
They are the essence of Paulinian
identity that, in an ever-changing
world, they remain constant. They
are the principles underlying
Paulinian Education, interaction and
mission.
 CHRISTOCENTRIC

Christ is the CENTER

of Paulinian life; he/she
follows and imitates
Christ, doing everything
in reference to Him.
COMMISSION
The Paulinian has a
mission a LIFE
PURPOSE to spread the
Good News; like Christ,
he/she actively works to
save this world, to make
it a better place to live in.
 COMMUNITY
The Paulinian is a
RESPONSIBLE FAMILY
MEMBER and CITIZEN,
concerned with building
communities, promotion of
peoples, justice and
peace, and the protection
of the environment.
CHARISM
The Paulinian develops
his/her GIFTS/TALENTS
to be put in the service of
the community, he/she
strives to grow and
improve daily, always
seeking the better and
finer things, and the Final
Good.
 CHARITY
Urged on by the LOVE
OF CHRIST, the
Paulinian is warm,
loving, hospitable and
all to all, especially to
the underprivileged.
What is the measure?
Thank you
very much!