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Christian Moral Principles: Volume 1 
The Way of the Lord Jesus 

Author: Germain Grisez, Ph.D. 
ISBN:0-8189-1268-5 
Hardbound: xxxiv + 971 pp. 
Price: $35.00 + shipping 

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Volume One of Germain Grisez's 3-volume work is constructed primarily as a textbook in fundamental moral theology for students in Catholic seminaries. However, those already ordained to the priesthood, teachers of religion, parents concerned about the catechetical formation of their children, and others will find this book helpful as well. Some questions naturally arise regarding this monumental undertaking. Why, for example, should so extensive a project be carried out in one field -- that of moral theology? And why should seminary students devote so much of their time to this one subject? The answer is that morality is characteristic of human actions whose free and intelligent choice make human beings like unto God. This volume specifically covers the fundamentals of Christian moral principles. The second volume in the series, Living a Christian Life, deals with the responsibilities common to all Christians. And the Third Volume, Difficult Moral Questions, seeks to provide guidance, if not always answers, to some 200 intriguing problems that Christians grapple with each day.
 
Dr. Germain Grisez, Ph.D., is the Harry J. Flynn Professor of Christian Ethics (1978-    ) at Mount Saint Mary's College, Emmitsburg, Maryland. He received his B.A. at John Carroll University; his M.A. and Ph.L from the Dominican College of St. Thomas Aquinas; and his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago. Along with philosopher John Finnis, who teaches at Oxford and Notre Dame, Grisez launched a new, theoretically sophisticated version of natural law theory, sometimes referred to as the "New Natural Law Theory". 
 

Reviews

"With this volume, Professor Grisez tries to respond in the area of fundamental moral theology to the Church's call for renewal. He has paid close attention to the guidelines [calling for a treatment which avoids legalism and individualism, works in close touch with Scripture and Tradition as interpreted by the Magisterium, integrates moral with dogmatic and spiritual theology, articulates a Christian humanism, and focuses upon the mystery of Christ], and his work seeks to articulate a true vision of the Christian moral life as the life of one united with the Lord in the Eucharist and following Him according to one's personal vocation. The scope of Grisez's undertaking is breathtaking. Because of the depth and originality of his work, it surely will be criticized from many points of view. Such constructive criticism will further the renewal to which he has made an authentic contribution. Meanwhile, this book offers a very valuable source for educated Catholics generally and deserves consideration for use in courses on Christian moral principles." --+ William Cardinal Baum, Prefect, Congregation for Catholic Education, March 28, 1983

"...your most recent work has all the earmarks of an important, reliable, vrey much needed contribution to what over the past generation has been the turbulent field of moral theology mined with newly formulated principles of the behavioral sciences inconsistent with Christian faith. You have attempted to guide man through those minefields toward his heavenly goal, rather than to pander to him as if he could look forward to nothing beyond the grave. Please God that your highly competent efforts and those of your collaborators will prove a milestone in the reversal of present, erroneous moral trends, marking the end of another silly season and a return to moral sanity in seminary and pulpit alike." --+ Silvio Cardinal Oddi, Congregation for the Clergy, April 11, 1984

"You are rendering a great service not only to your students and to teachers looking for a textbook that would be modern, practical and orthodox, but also to the Church as a whole and to many bishops and priests who feel the need to update their theological formation." --+ Edouard Gagnon, P.S.S., Pro-President, Pontifical Council for the Family, April 18, 1984

"This book will be useful to many readers other than students in formal courses: to priests, to high school and college teachers of theology, and to parents anxious about the sound formation of their children. I will do everything I can to speak about it and to make it known." --+ John Joseph Cardinal Carberry, Archbishop Emeritus of Saint Louis, August 29, 1984

  

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