LAW

WHAT IS LAW?

LAW● Any rule of action or any system of uniformity.

● a binding rule of conduct which serves to give shape and direction to our freedom.

● any constant way of acting or reacting, any directive rule of activity.

LAW

- An ordinance of reason, promulgated by competent authority for the sake of the common good.

CHARACTERISTICS OF LAW:

1) LAW is based on vision.

2) LAW arises from and expresses basic values.Ex:Thou shall not kill.Thou shall not commit adultery.Thou shall not steal.Thou shall not bear false witness.

FUNCTIONS OF MORAL LAW:

1)They provide criteria for judging WHO we are and HOW we should act.

2) Laws help our moral development.

3)They provide stability and consistency in our lives.

4)Laws can challenge us.

General Divisions of LAW:

(1)Law(in strict legal sense) which is promulgated and enforced by the state.

(2)Law(in the non-legal sense) which is NOT promulgated and enforced by the state.

Categories of LAW:

● Natural Law

● Civil Law

● Divine Law

● Church Law

Natural Law

- Laws that are built into the nature of life itself, and thus are knowable to all people in all societies.

- The universal law found in the structure of life itself.

Ex: Murder

Civil Law

- The particular application of natural law and the means of assuring the common good.

- Promulgated and enforced by the state.

Also called:Positive lawMunicipal LawImperative LawState law

Divine law

- The law that comes to us from God in revelation.

- Law of religion and faith which concerns itself with the concept of sin and salvation.

3 Periods:

(1)Divine law received by the Jewish people before the time of Moses.

(2) Mosaic law which was initiated in the giving of the Ten Commandments to Moses on Mount of Sinai.

(3) The law given to us by Christ.

Church Law

- Expression of divine law as it is applied to particular circumstances of Christian life.

Ex:

Sunday MassFasting

THANKYOU!