Natural Law - Advanced Intermediate

• Bible

Objective 

Define natural law and explain why all people are bound to

observe the natural law.

Who started the idea of natural law and why was he important? 

Why should we study St. Thomas Aquinas

• St. Thomas Aquinas was the greatest of philosophers. 
• What is a philosopher? the study of the basic ideas about knowledge, right and wrong, reasoning, and the value of things
• His work influenced the Roman Catholic doctrine for centuries and was adopted as the official philosophy of the church in 1917. 

What would happen if your mom tried to sew buttons onto your shirt using a fork instead of a needle?

What if you tried to write a letter with a spaghetti noodle?

 Design

We as humans designed things like clocks, desks, forks, needles, etc. for a certain purpose.

There is silliness, uselessness—and even the harm—of using something against its nature or purpose.

Our Design

Just as we humans create and design things with a certain purpose and end in mind, God did the same thing when he created and designed US!

What is natural law? 

Natural law is simply another term for the universal moral law, which is inscribed on the heart of every human. (St. Thomas Aquinas)

That is why atheists and believers alike can understand that things like murder, stealing, lying, disrespecting one’s parents, and even cutting someone in line are unjust or immoral acts.

Do you think animals abide by the "natural law", why or why not?

Divine law vs. natural law

People who believe in God vs. People who don't 

Natural law is inscribed on every human heart, but people who don't believe in Christ can fully comprehend the divine law (divine law comes only from revelation or scripture, hence biblical law, and is necessary for human salvation.)