WHAT IS LAW?

In class we continued our discussion of THE TEN COMMANDMENTS by considering what "law" is. Recalling how Scripture introduces the Ten Commandments by referring to "the LORD your God," I emphasized that law implies obligation, a concept which may offend someone's sense of "freedom." I asked whether one's resistence to the law (any law, but especially the law of God) may be related to one's unwillingness to be obedient. Recognizing the authority of one's Creator over His Creation is vital to any understanding of one's responsibility in regard to the law. Any law is ultimately derived from and grounded in this relation of Creation to the Creator.

Read CCC 1950-1986 to learn what the Church teaches concerning THE MORAL LAW (in class we only read 1950-1953). Consider what it means to abide by the law; what is the most important thing? Think about what Jesus said about those Pharisees whom he called "hypocrites." Think also about the connection between law and relationship.

Class began with the question "What is law?" 

It ended with the question "Who is judge?" 

Between those two questions came much discussion. 

The following is what appeared on the board (with some ammendment):

What is law? [students handed in their written responses]

Read Romans 2:12-14 - used to judge

[written] set of rules & regulations - many kinds

--> used for references

guide - the way we live

[implies boundaries, like the banks of a river;

law defines society 

(outlaw = one living beyond the borders defined by law)]

In taking action, a person makes a judgement to do so: 

judgment --> action

A person' action is judged by others; 

Christians believe God ultimately judges everyone: 

action --> judgment

The Ten Commandments present the law as given by God to the COMMUNITY of believers who acknowledge Him as "our LORD." Christians understand God through Jesus CHRIST, who is revealed in the CANON of Scripture. This class, as a COMMUNITY, is in agreement to accept the CANON of Scripture as taught in particular by the Catechism of the Catholic Church, in order to come to an understanding of Christian Ethics which purport to follow the way of CHRIST. Such agreement reminds us of the Covenant of Law made between God and Israel - law faciliates right relationship with one another.