Christian Morality: Virtues, Conscience, and Sin

Passions in Christian Morality

In the context of Christian morality, the passions are the feelings, emotions, or impulses of the natural sensibility—components of human psychology—which tend to act or not act in view of what is perceived as good or as bad. The primary passions are love and hate, desire and fear, joy, sadness, and anger. The fundamental passion is love, caused by the attractiveness of the good. One can only love what is good, whether that good is real or apparent.

The Role of Moral Conscience

Moral conscience, present in the depths of the person, is a judgment of reason which, in due course, urges a person to do good and avoid evil. Through it, the human person perceives the moral quality of an act to be performed or one already completed, allowing one to take responsibility for it. When one listens to the moral conscience, the prudent person can hear the voice of God speaking.

Freedom of Conscience and Human Dignity

The dignity of the human person implies the rectitude of moral conscience; that is, it is in accord with what is right and good according to reason and the law of God. Because of this personal dignity, a person should not be forced to act against their conscience, nor must they be prevented from acting according to it, especially in the religious field, within the limits of the common good.

The Golden Rule of Christian Ethics

The "gold standard" of Christian morality is the so-called Golden Rule: "Whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so also to them" (Matthew 7:12). In short: do to others as you would have them treat you.

The Four Cardinal Virtues

The main human virtues are called cardinal virtues; they group all other virtues and form the basis of a virtuous life. They are:

• Prudence
• Justice
• Fortitude
• Temperance

The Three Theological Virtues

The theological virtues are those which have their origin, motive, and immediate object in God Himself. Infused in the human person with sanctifying grace, they enable us to live in a relationship with the Holy Trinity. They base and encourage Christian moral action, giving life to human virtues and guaranteeing the presence and action of the Holy Spirit in human faculties. The theological virtues are:

• Faith
• Hope
• Charity

Understanding Sin in Christian Doctrine

According to Christian morals, sin is "a word, an act, or a desire contrary to the eternal law" (St. Augustine). It is an offense against God, whom we disobey instead of responding to His love. It wounds the nature of man and injures human solidarity. Christ, in His passion, fully revealed the seriousness of sin and overcomes it with His mercy.