HUM 101

Introduction to Humanities
and the Arts
 Authentic
Christian Humanism
 AUTHENTIC
It applies for all
people, for all
aspects of
human being
and for all
times.
CHRISTIAN
Jesus by being
human has
revealed to us
what it means
to become a
person.
 HUMANISM
It is the concept/view of
person which believes in
the primacy of the human
being, i.e. the
actualization of human
potentials, enhancement
of human experience and
contribution to
happiness, social justice,
democracy, and a
peaceful world.
The LIFE of a CHRISTIAN is always
characterized by “RELATIONS”:

 to the SELF
 to FELLOW
HUMANS
 to the WORLD
 to the SOCIETY
 to GOD
 The quality of our
relationship is the
measure of our
Christian
authenticity.
Relatability to groups
as well as to
individuals is the key
to communicating the
Gospel in this or any
age.
IN RELATION TO THE SELF

 Has intellect and free will

 Has Dignity
 Is created in the image and
likeness of God
 Is Ambivalent –
simultaneous conflict of
feelings
 Is limited
 Is unique
MAN has intellect and free
will
Everyone is endowed with
natural capacities and
abilities. Primary among
them is the ability to reason
and to decide freely. The
person has the ability to
grasp, recognize, and
appreciate truth and
goodness, and the ability to
choose among options: to
work for or disregarded
truth or goodness.
MAN has Dignity
Everyone is bestowed with
dignity. It is not something
which can be given or taken
away at will. It cannot be
destroyed even if it is refused
recognition. Dignity demands
unconditional respect. The
person, being the highest
created value, goes over and
above all other values: e.g., the
profit motivation is
subordinate to the persons
involved in the production
process.
 MAN is created in the image
and likeness of God (Gen.1:
This underlies the 26)
freedom and dignity
of the human person.
There is in person a
“god-likeness.” For
God “breathed life-
giving breath into his
nostrils” (Gen.2:7)
MAN is Ambivalent – simultaneous
conflict of feelings
The person also has the
tendency toward evil.
He/she is capable of
selfishness and
oppression. His/her
desires may be drawn to
a false good-to the
seeming good which the
world dictates.
MAN is limited

First, is the limitation

in life span.
Second, the person is
limited in capacity
to know, in actual
knowledge, and in
capacity to do.
MAN is unique
This uniqueness of the
person has to be
respected. The emphasis
on collectively should not
be made at the expense of
the uniqueness and
dignity of each person.
IN RELATION TO FELLOW HUMANS

 Is a social being
 Is of equal value
with other
persons
MAN is a social being
The person fulfills the self with and
through others. Thus, it is imperative
that people cooperate with each other
in order to better the quality of their
lives in society.
Through and with other’s help, a
person’s limitations are filled up and
potentials furthered. One’s history and
historicity are defined to a large extent
by and through others.
The person can only grow and realize
his/her vocation in relation with
others. He/she is created in the image
and likeness of God, who is love, and is
affirmed only when he/she and is
loved by others.
 MAN is of equal value with other
persons
We are all equal in basic rights
and basic needs on a person-
to-person level and on a
nation-to-nation level. This
quality is not synonymous to
uniformity, but equality
amidst uniqueness. Thus, all
persons are to be treated as
equals – regardless of status
and sex. The relationship
must just and suffused with
love.
IN RELATION TO THE SOCIETY

 Is an intervener
 Is a patriot
MAN is an intervener
It is persons who create social
structures to respond to
similar needs and for the
good/welfare of all.
A person is part of and shaped
by the past but because
history is still being made,
the person also shapes
future events. The person,
therefore, can help change
direct society and the history
of the nation.
MAN is a patriot
The country is considered a
person’s bigger family,
since he/she is
inextricably linked with
others and society.
We are responsible and
accountable to the future
generation for the
situation they would
have.
IN RELATION TO THE MATERIAL
WORLD

 Is a Material Being
 Is a Worker
 Is a Caretaker
 Is above material
things
MAN is a material being
The person needs the
resources of the
material world for
his/her personal and
social fulfillment. This
is a consequence of
the bodily dimension
of the person.
MAN is a worker
The person interacts with the
world through his/her work. In
doing so, the Lord’s mandate
to have “dominion over the
earth” (Gen. 1:27-28) is
exercised. Work is a means to
fulfill one’s personhood and to
glorify God. Thus, the worker
has dignity; so does his/her
labor.
MAN is a caretaker
The things of this world are
for all people to use. They
are to be used, not
adored, nor amassed. We
are caretakers of this
world – not the owners of
it. Ownership is only a
secondary right to use.
 MAN is above the Material
Things
There is a need for
simplicity of lifestyle –
to live only according to
what we need to survive
and enhance our
personhood. The things
of this world were given
to us to help us know,
love, and serve God.
IN RELATION TO GOD

 Is transcendent
 Has a conscience
 Is dependent on God
 Is a child of God
MAN is transcendent
The person has but one
final goal: God.
He/she is called to
know, love and serve
God, and to
constantly choose
that which would
help in fulfilling this.
Everyone has a God-
given mission to
fulfill.
MAN has a conscience

Conscience is the
most secret core
and sanctuary of
(the person).
There (he/she) is
alone with God
whose voice
echoes in (his/her)
depths.
MAN is dependent on God
The person constantly and
continually tends to and
goes back to God. This
dependence is not
opposed to human
freedom; for human
freedom takes it meaning
and consistency in the
person’s relationship with
God. It is in doing God’s
Will that the person truly
fulfills his/her freedom.
MAN is a child of God
Jesus Christ has shown us
the way – the way of
loving. He showed us
the real meaning of
dependence on the
Father and fidelity to
His Will. He showed us
detachment from the
world, service to our
neighbors, and sacrifice
for love and truth.
 As man journeys
through and in
LIFE, he is always
reminded that after
all he had been
through, he would
always find the way
- his way towards
HIM.
The road is full of pitfalls
and hard, yet the fact
that he journeyed, he
took the risk of going
and getting closer to
the ONE who called to
love Him, after all He is
the first one who loved
him.
is
 “By means of rational thought
we have reached the opinion
that God knows in advance the
possibilities open to a man in
his freedom, not the particular
decisions he will make.”
Gersonides (1288 - 1344)
French rabbi, mathematician, and philosopher