In Catholic catechism, the 3 theological virtues are Faith, Hope, and Love or Charity; these were adopted by the Church Fathers.
In the New Testament or in Christianity, these theological virtues of faith, hope and love, is a list which comes from 1 Corinthians 13:13 (pistis, elpis, agape).
It was not until the New Testament began to be more extensively studied that the other three virtues of faith, hope, and charity were joined with the initial four virtues of temperance, wisdom, justice and courage.
Because of this difference of birth, the initial four virtues are widely referred to as the four cardinal virtues while the latter three are referred to as the three theological virtues, as mentioned by Stalker in his book The Seven Cardinal Virtues.
According to some Christian philosophers, most notably Thomas Aquinas, the theological virtues are to perfect one's love of God and Man and therefore to harmonize and partake of prudence.
Love or Charity
The Christian virtue of love is sometimes called charity and at other times a Greek word agape is used to contrast the love for God & family from other types of love such as friendship or physical affection.
Quote from Saints
No one should judge that he has greater perfection because he performs great penances and gives himself in excess to the staying of the body than he who does less, inasmuch as neither virtue or merit consists therein; for otherwise he would be an evil case, who for some legitimate reason was unable to do actual penance. Merit consists in the virtue of love alone, flavored with the light of true discretion, without which the soul is worth nothing. -- St Catherine of Siena
Published: April 22, 2011 - 9:07AM
