The instructor began by introducing himself and then saying that for him the most important learning experience has been with ministry. He asked each of us to consider the following questions: “How shall I follow Jesus? Who is my neighbor, and How shall we live in community? What is conscience and how should it be formed? How do I know the right thing to do in complex situations?”
He then asked what moral concerns have emerged (or do we anticipate) in our ministry? As an example he told a story about a woman named Jill, who is the Dean of Students at a High School, who asked her high school age daughter and friends to list some questions for discussion. Their list included: “When I think of God I think of __________. When I think of Jesus I think of __________. I respond to God and Jesus by __________. We know what is right or wrong because __________. Christians should hate __________. Christians should love __________. Christians should evangelize __________.
Sometimes our understanding of God can push us towards one or another idea of morality. The Jesus of Mark is somewhat hurried, the Jesus of Luke seems somewhat tired, and the Jesus of Matthew is a good teacher. Orthodox Christians appreciate Mark’s Jesus, for instance, while Baptist Christians appreciate John’s Jesus.
Morality fits into three different models; Deontology pays attention to rules and commands, Teleology is more in tune with spirituality, virtues, and goals, and Relationality / Responsibility is responsive to others in and through relationships
Each model offers a way of thinking about right action and implies both an image of God and an image of discipleship. Which one we prefer depends on our relationship with God and Jesus and as you might expect, some people fit into one model only, some people have strong opinions about the other models, and some people move around between the various models. The instructor felt that while it may be ok to have a favorite, it's probably best to work between them all.
Those who support human rights, tend to identify more closely with the Deontology model. Those who are more attracted to personal spirituality identify themselves more closely with Teleology. Those who are working to encounter God in the people around them are identified most closely with Ralationality/Responsibility.
General catholic teaching has moved from one to the other over the years. Deontology was used as the model for education before Vatican II, Relationality was used after Vatican II, and in the mid 80’s Teleology became popular. Today all three are used.
In Deontology, right action is doing one’s duty, moral wisdom is transmitted as rules, and moral judgment asks the question “What rule applies here and how shall I follow it”? Images of God include king, sovereign lord, and law giver, while images of discipleship include fidelity, obedience, and faithfulness.
The advantages are that it’s clear, easy to teach, and it helps people to pay attention to the outer limits of morality. The disadvantages are a tendency towards rigidity, it’s easy to play with the rules, and modified rules can lead to wrong action. These people might say, “It’s easier to ask for forgiveness then to ask for permission”.
In Teleology, right action is pursing the right goal the right way, moral wisdom is transmitted as virtues, and moral judgment asks the questions, “what kind of people are we, What kind of people do we want to be, and How will be get there”? Images of God include the ultimate end (Heaven) and friendship with God, while images of discipleship include hopefulness, striving, and responding to the call to holiness.
The advantages are commitment, humility, and that it can be applied at any time and in any place. The disadvantages are a tendency towards Narcissism (it’s about me), an unending focus on human behavior, and a narrow vision of what salvation looks like (the eye of the needle). These people say, "Prayer is a moral action. If you are loved and you don't love in return, there is a problem".
In Relationship / Responsibility, right action is being responsive to the relationships in your life, moral wisdom is an understanding of right relationships, and moral judgment asks the questions, “How can I respond to the love of god? How shall I be a steward of creation? And How shall I care for myself?” Images of God include the Trinity of Love, while images of discipleship include love and responsibility.
The advantages are that it’s closely related to Bible scripture; we ask not what we need to do but what Jesus wants us to do, it’s positive, receives popular notice, it’s about others, it’s tangible, and it’s holistic (all encompassing). The disadvantages are that it’s vague, cultural habits or conventions can be misunderstood, and limited understanding leads to wrong action. These people would say that, “Planting a tree is an act of optimism and hope, because you don't know for whom the tree is planted”.
To end the class the instructor introduced case study # 1, which is the first option for our paper. In this imaginary study young students are meeting for an impromptu discussion about dating and sexuality. Their dicussion tended to focus on the rules or the limits of the rules, which is an example of Deontology. The question for our paper might be how the other models would round out this discussion.
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