Nevertheless, the influence of voluntaristic and nominalistic thinking has been deep, widespread and perduring. Ockham’s teaching was controversial from the start, and continues to be. Voluntaristic nominalism was most extensively developed and proposed by William of Ockham (c.1285–1349), who set out to oppose St. Voluntarism stressed that the only content of morality is obedience to commandments coming from authority outside of oneself. It is important for Christians today to understand that the source of many contemporary attitudes toward the moral life lies in the theology of voluntarism, closely associated with the philosophy of nominalism, which developed in the early 14 th century, contributing to a rigid moralism widely practiced since the 1600s. When did Christians lose sight of the relationship between morality and happiness? Moral standards were guides to keep one on the road to final happiness with God. The connection between happiness and knowing the good was very close. They understood that the purpose of life is to seek happiness, but also that this happiness is grounded in knowing the good and avoiding evil. They were full of love for the Person, the Lord Jesus, who had died to free them from their sins. The first Christians were full of joy to learn that the man, Jesus Christ, is not only the Truth but is its Way, as well. Where does this view of Christian morality come from? Is it really true that one has to choose between moral standards and personal freedom? Do we need to choose between either obeying rules imposed on us from the outside or going with the deepest longings of our own heart? Is there actually a dichotomy between moral righteousness and the desires of our heart?
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |