Theological Foundations new file

209 A Theological Evaluation have become strengthened in the conviction that their approach is pro- foundly theological and closely connected with the teaching about the truths of our faith. This merits special attention because beginning with the 17th century the connection between moral theology and dogmatics became considerably relaxed. 22 On the basis of the material presented so far, it is clear that the main ideas in Father Papczynski’s and Father Matulaitis-Matulewicz’s teaching are closely connected with the basic truths of our faith where the most important place is occupied by the truth about God, the Church, the Mother of the Church and the eschato- logical vision of man. An ideal of Christian faith which is built on such truths stands on a solid foundation of faith and, as such, is never out of date. The times and people may change, various tendencies and trends of thought may come and go, yet what is essential in moral teaching will always survive, will always be up to date because it has its source in the Gospel. What will also be always up to date is evangelical radicalism which requires man to conform his life completely to his faith and encourages him to take a personal stance towards God and the norms which He revealed. Such is also the teaching of the Founder and the Renovator of the Marians. To draw from the purest sources of the revealed truth is what the two authors recommended. They did realize, however, that this truth should be conveyed in a persuasive manner, so they adhered to the principles of preaching customarily accepted in their times. Father Papczynski was a teacher of rhetoric and an excellent orator, therefore, he knew how to write and speak to win his readers and listeners over. Thus, on one occa- sion he would quote an opinion of “a commonly recognized authority” on the matter and some other time appeal to people’s hearts, to their reli- gious feelings or their life experiences. He also liked to avail himself of a very effective weapon, widely used in the Baroque Period, i.e., irony. When it was necessary, he would bring the truth closer to the reader by means of images and comparisons. Jarra writes about him: “Thus he [Fr. Papczynski] juxtaposes the words about the Lord’s Passion and Death: It is expedient that one man should die for the