The Human Person (Part 2)

7/27/2019 The Human Person (Part 2)

1/30

The Human Person


2/30

Objectives:

Acquire deeper knowledge on the true nature

and purpose of human existence

Appreciate ones own perfection, such as

freedom, and learn from ones limitations

Give personal insights on how one could grow

as a mature human person.


3/30

Man: Creature and Child of God

Creation: the ultimate origin and meaning of human

existence.

3 stages in mans nature:

a. original state perfect social order

b. fallen state social tension

c. redeemed state social restoration

Source: Donald Guthrie, The New Testament Approach to

Social Responsibility, London School of Theology


4/30

Views on Personhood

Genetic School: A person is a being with

genetic code, and therefore, is a person fromthe moment of conception.

Developmental School: interaction with the

environment is necessary. School of Social Consequences: depends on

what kind of person is wanted by society.

Genesis: they will be like God.

St. Bonaventure: footprints of God.

Teilhard de Chardin: creation become conscious of itself.


5/30


Perfections of Man:

Man

Material

(Animal)

Senses Instinct

Spiritual

(Rational)

Intellect Will


6/30


Intelect

Wisdom

Truth

Thinking

Knowing

Correlation

Highest

Goal

Goal

Function

Purpose

Will

Virtue

Good

Doing

Choosing


7/30

Characteristics of a Human Person

Open and Relational

Embodied Spirits

Conscious Beings

Historical Realities

Unique and Equal


8/30

Open and Relational

No man is an island.

We grow into our fullSELVES only in relating to

others.

Embodied SpiritsUnity of body and soul

Our bodies are temple of

the Holy Spirit.Bodies are SACRED.
http://rds.yahoo.com/S=96062857/K=relationships/v=2/SID=w/l=II/R=1/SS=i/OID=40642f9282c754be/SIG=1fmj7v8qs/EXP=1136618865/*-http%3A//images.search.yahoo.com/search/images/view?back=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%2Fimages%3Fp%3Drelationships%26ei


9/30

Conscious Beings We possess self-

awareness through

knowing and willing. Know Thyself

An unexamined life is notworth living.

Historical RealitiesPilgrims on-the-wayI believe history teaches usa categorical lesson: that

once a people aredetermined to become free,then nothing can stop themfrom reaching their goal.

D. Tutu


10/30

Unique and Equal All human beings are born

free and equal, in dignityand rights. (from UniversalDeclaration of HumanRights 1948) Art. 1

without distinction ofany kind, such as race,color, sex, language,religion, political or other

opinion, national or socialorigin, property, birth orother status. Art. 2


11/30

Some views of human existence

Utilitarianism human existence is for

usefulness (Capitalism)

Hedonism human existence is for pleasure

(Materialism)

Nihilism human existence is senseless and

useless (Terrorism)

What is your view of your existence?


12/30

Activity

In sheet of yellow paper, write 2 (two)

truths about yourself and 1 (one) lie.


13/30

FREEDOM


14/30

Authentic Meaning of Freedom

God left man free to make his own decisions. (Sir. 15:14)

Man is rational, and therefore like God; he is created withfree will and is master over his acts. (St. Irenaeus)

It is the power, rooted in reason and will, to act or not toact, to do this or that, and so to perform deliberate actionson ones own responsibility. (CCC, 1731)

Freedom, therefore, is the capacity to choose what isgood, not evil, or else be lead into slavery of sin. (Cf.Rom. 6:17)


15/30

What is Freedom?

Freedom is the power of REASONand WILL to act or not to act, to do

this or that, and to performdeliberate actions anchored to ones

own responsibility.

Freedom is a force for growth andmaturity in truth and goodness; andultimately attains its perfection

when directed toward God, ourbeatitude. (CCC #1731)


16/30

Morality pertains to areas of our lives

where freedom is possible and enable

us to actualize our potentials

Promoting freedom is tantamount to

promoting the possibility of moral life


17/30

1. Basic Freedom / Freedom of

Self-Determination the freedom to decide about oneself and

to make someone of oneself

It goes directly toward our relationship

with God, the ultimate end of our lives.

Basic freedom before God is always

incarnated in the particular choices we

make through life.

a choice that demands more personal

involvement


18/30

2. Freedom of Choice

It has to do with realizing

our capacity to be ourselves

through the particularchoices we make.

Involves less personal

involvement

Choosing one option from anumber of others

Our freedom to choose this

or that even within limits

is fundamentally a freedomto choose an identity


19/30

Level of External

Possessions

Level of Feelings

Level of Convictions

Center of Identity


20/30

a. Fundamental Option those significant moments of choice in our

lives, which establish or affirm more strongly

the character and direction of our lives. A choice that arises from a personal depth

that it can significantly reverse or reinforcethe fundamental direction of our lives

A choice must be rooted in deep self-

knowledge and a freedom to commit oneself


21/30

great decisions as special moments in life (B. Haring)

Through fundamental option, we express our basic freedom to

commit ourselves profoundly toward a certain way of being inthe world.

A single change of ones fundamental option can changeones fundamental stance

Decisions are tied up with commitment to integrity andidentity, sense of responsibility to others and the world


22/30

Biblically, fundamental option is the heartthe deepest source from which we commit

ourselves to God and to others and show

what we most care about or value.

The truest expression of ourselves as moral

persons arises from there; it does not lie inour external actions alone.


23/30

b. Fundamental Stance Basic direction of our lives which

manifests a consistent personal identity

Within the context of fundamental option, it

expresses the sort of person we have

chosen to be, the fundamental direction we

have chosen for our lives

Fundamental direction of ones life shows

ones stable identity


24/30

It was for freedom Christ set us free;

so stand firm and do not submit again

to the yoke of slavery.Do not use this freedom as an

opportunity for the flesh, rather serve

one another through love, I say then:live by the Spirit.

Gal. 5:1,13,16


25/30

Live as freemen. Do not use

your freedom as a cloak for

vice. In a word, live as servantsof God.

1 Pt. 2:16


26/30

Freedom is inseparable from moral obligation.

To be free one must be responsible.

Laws & Moral Obligations do not restrict our freedom and

the freedom of others. BUT, they actually protect each

ones freedom.

Freedom is a GIFT & a TASK

Freedom & Moral Obligation


27/30

Implications of free and voluntary acts

Freedom makes man responsible for his acts.

Man is physically or psychologically free to choose or

reject God, but morally free only to choose God.

Choice determines a person.

Freedom finds authenticity and

completeness in the

acceptance of the law.

Freedom presupposestruth (intellect) and good (will).

defect of freedom:caused by the bent

inclination of our willand made possible bylimitation of ourintellect.


28/30

Authentic Freedom

Living in ChristFreedom fromSIN

Living for ChristFreedom for GRACE

Living with ChristFreedom to CHARITY

Christian Life as Freedom in Christ

Sin is the biggest obstacle to freedom

Grace is the path towards attaining truefreedom

Charity is the greatest expression ofauthentic freedom


29/30

Think about this!

Our actions are like the tip of an iceberg. Theyheld above the surface by our attitudes,convictions and fundamental direction of our liveswhich seek external and concrete expressions.

Only by looking beneath the surface of our actionswill we be able to get to the roots of moralconversion.


30/30

Activity

On the same sheet of paper, answer the following

questions.

1. From what form of enslavement would you desire to be

free? Explain why.

2. How do the truths in your life help increase or develop

your freedom?

The Human Person (Part 2)

Documents

Transcript of The Human Person (Part 2)