The 60-Second Aquinas
Lesson
God is the Author of Eternal Law
October 16, 1998
It would seem to be enough to argue that God is the author of what is good and evil (as we explained in yesterday’s lesson), but many deny this.
The denial is not explicit. Most Catholics would agree that God is the governor of what is right and wrong. Yet, many challenge aspects of the Church’s teaching without seeing a contradiction.
If God’s law is an eternal law, as Aquinas
explained, it is by definition unchanging. The eternal law is
inherent in God’s act of creation:
"Now God, by His wisdom, is the Creator of all things …
Moreover, He governs all the acts and movements that are to be
found in each single creature" (ST I-II, Q. 93, Art.
1).
But, many in claiming freedom, would rewrite this relationship. There are those who deny that killing an unborn child is a moral evil. They claim to desire freedom of choice, but what they in actuality desire is the ability to determine what is right and wrong.
This, of course, cannot happen. It is God’s duty to define morality. We are free to act accordingly or to reject Him.
When men attempt to change theology, they attempt to not only change eternal law, but to refuse the fact that God is the author of natural law.
Explanation of The 60-Second Aquinas Lesson
