Final Flashcards
Describe how the CCC fits into the history of the Church’s catechetical activity
Many evangelical counsels made catechisms. Project started at the Extraordinary Synod of Bishops in 1985. In 1986 JPII appointed a Commission of Cardinals and Bishops to develop a compedendium of Catholic doctrine. CCC finished in 1992
Imprimi Potest
It can be printed
Nihil Obstat
Nothing stands in the way
Bishop’s Stamp
Imprimatur
Imprimatur
Let it be printed
Censor’s Stamp
Nihil Obstat
Religious Superior’s Stamp
Imprimi Potest
What is the relationship between the Second Vatican Council and CCC?
Just as the Catechism contains the most solemnly defined dogmas of the Church, it also contains the teachings of V2. The worldwide consultation of the bishops that preceded the promulgation of the Catechism gives it a collegiate character
4 Pillars of the Catholic Church?
Creed
Sacraments
Commandments
Prayer
Creed
Summarizes the gifts that God gives man
Sacraments
How salvation is made present in the church today
Commandments
How to reach God and live a life of faith
Prayer
The Seven Petitions and the finding of all good things our Heavenly Father wants to gives us
How are the 4 pillars of the faith related?
The parts are related as the Christian mystery is the object of faith, celebrated in the liturgy, which sustains children of God and is the basis of prayer, and shows the object of supplication
Literal Sense
What the words mean, following rules of sound interpretation discovered by study and exegesis
Allegorical Sense
Typology
Moral Sense
How to live a just and moral life
Anagogical Sense
Eschatology
Last Things
Signs of Heaven
How to interpret the CCC
Reader must take the unity of the whole Bible into account. Jesus is the center and the Old Testament is revealed in the New and the NT is revealed in the OT. Reader must remember that the bible was not written in a vacuum so the genres of the time must be taken into account as well. Lastly, the Bible needs to be read in the light of Tradition, and the interpretation of the Magisterium
What is meant by the “Canon” of Scripture
The canon of Scripture is the entirety of the bible accepted by the Catholic Church. 46 Books in the OT and 27 Books in the NT
What are the 3 stages in the formation of the Gospels?
- Life and teaching of Jesus
- Oral tradition
- Written Gospels
Relationship of Revelation and the obedience of faith
To obey in faith is to submit freely to the work and that has been heard, because its truth is guaranteed by God, who is Truth itself. We must have faith to believe revelation
2 good examples of obedience of faith
Abraham
Mary
Perfect embodiment of faith
Blessed Virgin Mary
Characteristics of Faith
Grace from God Authentic human act Certain Seeks understanding Faith and Science Faith is Necessary Faith and perservearance
Faith is a grace from God
Supernatural virtue infused by Him
Faith is also an authentic human act
Even though it is a grace, it is not contrary to neither human freedom nor human reason, and it is not contrary to our dignity. Human intellect and will cooperate with divine grace
Faith is certain
It is more certain than human knowledge because it is founded on the very word of God who cannot lie or deceive. 10,000 difficulties do not make one doubt
Faith seeks understanding
It’s intrinsic to faith that a believer desires to know better the One in whom he has put his faith and to understand better what He has revealed. A more penetrating knowledge will in turn call forth a greater faith, increasingly set afire by love
Faith and science
There is no discrepancy between faith and reason even though faith is above reason. Both come from the same divine source and point towards and help us understand the truths found in the natural world
Faith is necessary
Believing in Jesus Christ and the One who sent Him for our salvation is necessary for obtaining salvation
Faith and perservearance
While faith is an entirely free gift from God, it can be lost. We must live, grow, and persevere in faith until the end and nourish it with the word of God and pray to the Lord to increase in our faith
Do we believe in formulas of faith or the realities they express
We do not believe in formulas, but in those realities which they express we approach these realities with the help of formulations of faith which permit us to express the faith. Also, to hand it on, to celebrate in community, to assimilate, and live on it more and more, celebrate and where together with others in the truths of the faith through a common language
Why is the profession of faith both individual, “I believe,” and communitarian, “We believe”?
Faith is a personal act in the sense that it is the free response of the human person to God who reveals himself. However, at the same time it is an ecclesial act which expresses itself in the proclamation we believe
Why do we have creeds?
We have creeds because a communion in faith needs a common language of faith, normative for all and uniting all in the same confession of faith.
Some examples of the creeds?
Apostles’ Creed
Nicene Creed
Athanasian Creed
Credo of the People of God
Why are the creeds sometimes called creeds, and sometimes symbols of faith?
The creeds are called creeds on account of the fact that creed is the first word said in Latin. Credo means I believe. Also, they are symbols of faith because the Greek word symbolon means a gathering, collection or summary, so a symbol of faith is a summary of the principal truths of the faith and therefore serves as the first and fundamental point for catechesis
Structure of the CCC
Creed is divided into 3 parts. All of the 3 speak of each person in the Trinity.
Why are there 12 Articles of the Creed?
To symbolize the fullness of the apostolic faith by the number of apostles
First part of the Creed
Speaks of the first divine Person and the wonderful work of creation
Second part part of the Creed
Second divine Person and the mystery of his redemption of men
Third part of the Creed
Third divine Person, the origin and source of our sanctification
What does God revealing his name tell us
God wants Himself to be known to us. God reveals his name. From this, we are able to know the love God has for us and that He is a personal God
What does a name express
A person’s essence and identity and meaning of this person’s life. To disclose one’s name is to make oneself known to others; in away it is to hand oneself over by becoming accessible
God revealed His name on Sinai to Moses
“I AM WHO I AM.” (YHWH)
God revealing his name to Moses tells us
He is faithful because His name tells us that God is always present. He is also “abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness” because he forgives Israel for their sins
Implications of faith in God
- Coming to know God’s greatness and majesty
- Living in thanksgiving
- Knowing the unity and true dignity of all men
- Making good use of created things
- Trusting in God
Central mystery of Catholicism
The Holy Trinity
The Holy Spirit appeared at times under the form of
Dove and again under the form of tongues of fire
What form can the Holy Spirit take?
The Holy Spirit can take any form
Names of the Holy Spirit
Paraclete Advocate Spirit of Truth Spirit of Life Spirit of Love
Teachings of the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son
The Holy Spirit is equal to the Father and the Son, being the same Lord and God as they are
The Holy Spirit came down upon the Apostles at?
Pentecost
The Holy Spirit came down upon the Apostles at Pentecost in the form of?
Tongues of fire
The Holy Spirit came down upon the Apostles at Pentecost in the forms of tongues and fire denoting?
Sacred character and divine authority of the preaching and teaching of the Apostles
Why did Christ send the Holy Spirit?
To sanctify His Church, to enlighten and strengthen the
Apostles, and to enable them to preach the Gospel
How will the Holy Spirit guide the Church?
In the way of holiness and truth
Is Theology and Economy the same?
No
Theology refers to
Mystery of God’s inmost life within the Blessed Trinity. Theology illuminates the whole economy
Economy refers to
All the works by which God reveals himself and communicates his life
What does it mean to invoke God as Father?
Means God is the covenant Father, Father of the kings of Israel, Father of the poor, widow and orphan. Also, it means God loves fully and unconditionally and will the best for us. He is standard and origin of fatherhood.
Who is the source of the Trinity?
God the Father
Profession of the Holy Spirit in the Latin Church?
Filioque: The Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son
Profession of the Holy Spirit in the Eastern Churches?
Spirit proceeds from the Father through the Son
Substance
Designates the divine being in its unity
Person or Hypostasis
To designate the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in the real distinction among them
Relation
Designates the fact that their distinction lies in the relationship of each to the others
Oneness
The trinity is One, we do not confess three distinct gods. Only one God
Distinctess
God is distinct, but inseparable. The three names are not just modalities of the one God. Instead, there are three distinct persons by their relations of Origins.
The _________ who generates
Father
The _________ who is begotten
Son
The _________ proceeds
Holy Spirit
Relations
The Father is related to the Son, the Son to the Father, and the Spirit to Both. Each are wholly in each other, there is no opposition of relations
God is omnipotent?
We believe that His might is universal, for God who created everything rules over everything. God’s Power is Loving, for he is our Father, and mysterious, for only faith can discern it when it is made perfect in weakness.
Problem of evil
Jesus died for us on the Cross and thus, conquered evil. Consequently, God allows evil to bring about a greater good. He allows us to choose Him
God as creator?
God created the heavens and the earth. From the beginning he envisaged the glory of the new creation in Christ.
Is the entire trinity involved in creation?
The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are the one and indivisible principle of creation even though the work of creating the world is particularly attributed to God the Father
Why was the world created?
The world was created for the glory of God who wished to show forth and communicate his goodness, truth and beauty
The ultimate end is that God, in Christ might be?
All in all for his glory and our happiness
Did God create the world out of necessity?
God created the universe freely with wisdom and love. The world is not the result of necessity, nor of blind fate, nor of chance
Did God create the world out of nothing?
God created “out of nothing” a world that is ordered and good and which he infinitely transcends
Does God preserve his creation?
God preserves his creation in being and sustains it, giving it the capacity to act and leading it towards its fulfillment through his Son and the Holy Spirit
Did God create with order?
God created with order. There is a hierarchy of creatures in God’s creation.
Who is creation destined for?
Creation is destined for man
Who is the summit of God’s visible world?
Man
What does the CCC teach about divine providence?
Divine Providence consists in the dispositions with which God leads his creatures toward their ultimate end
Who is the sovereign Master of God’s plan?
God himself
How does God carry out His plan?
To carry it out, God makes use of the cooperation of his creatures
Does God grant his creatures the dignity of acting on their own and of being causes for each other?
Yes
How is God’s will accomplished?
When we cooperate with Him and use our ability to do his will in our actions, prayers and suffering.
Heresies of Creation
Pantheism
Dualism
Deism
Materialism
Pantheism
Identifies God with the creation.
How does the Church reply to Pantheism?
God is distinct from his creation, as a painter is distinct from his painting
Dualism
Belief in the existence of two gods. The good-god who created goodness and the bad-god who created evil.
Church’s answer to Dualism?
The Church answers that there is only one God, who is good; and evil is the absence of goodness
Deism
This philosophy states that God, like a watch-maker, created the universe and then left it to itself. Therefore, any form of prayer or trust in the divine Providence is useless
Church’s answer to Deism?
God is not only the creator, but also the provider for his creatures
Materialism
This philosophy denies the existence of God, and claims that the universe is an interplay of eternal matter.
Church’s answer to Materialism?
Order and design cannot originate by themselves, but require God as supreme designer
What things are taught and affirmed by the creation account in the book of Genesis?
The world was created by the Father through the Word of God out of nothing. Creation was the first step to making a covenant with Israel. The origin and end of creation is God, it has order and goodness.
What is man supposed to be according to the creation account in Genesis?
Fruitful, multiply and have dominion over the Earth
Who holds us in existence?
God
What is the significance of the 7th day creation account?
God chose to rest because he had finished his work. As a result, the Jews rested on the Sabbath day, Saturday.
In Hebrew numerology 7 is the number for what?
Perfection. Thus, showing that creation is good
Why as Catholics do we not rest on the 7th day?
Because the Resurrection is the new creation and supersedes the old. Thus, we rest on the new Sabbath, which is Sunday.
In Hebrew numerology 8 is the number for what>
Renewal. Thus, showing that the new covenant is a renewal of the old
Discuss the Providence of God as it pertains to creation and the existence of evil in the world
Only the Christian faith can give an answer. God brings forth a greater good from evil
Does God in any way - directly or indirectly cause evil?
No
How does God illuminate the mystery of evil?
In his Son Jesus Christ who died and rose in order to vanquish that great moral evil, human sin, which is at the root of all other evils
What does faith gives us certainty about evil?
Faith gives us certainty that God would not permit evil if he did not cause a good to come from that very evil.
Faith gives us certainty that God would permit evil if he did not cause a good to come from that very evil. This was realized in what?
In a wondrous way by God in the death and resurrection of Christ.
What was the greatest or all moral evils?
The murder of Jesus Christ
From the greatest of all moral evils he has brought for what?
The greatest of all goods, the glorification of Christ and our redemption
What does the creed mean when it says God created all things “seen and unseen” or “visible and invisible”?
God made spiritual angels and corporeal creatures at the same time. After that, he made man which is a combination of body and soul
Discuss what the CCC teaches about angels?
The angels are purely spiritual creatures, incorporeal, invisible, immortal, and personal beings endowed with intelligence and will
What do angels do?
They ceaselessly contemplate God face-to-face and they glorify him. They serve him and are his messengers in the accomplishment of his saving mission to all
How does the Church join the angels?
In adoring God, invoking their assistance and commemorating some in her liturgy
Distinguish between what an Angel does and what an Angel “is”
Angel is their job
Spirit is what they are
What reasons does the CCC give for the dignity of human beings?
The human person is the summit of visible creation inasmuch as he is created in the image and likeness of God
Name some heresies regarding Christ mentioned in the Catechism
Adoptionism Gnostic Docetism Arianism Nestorianism Mnophysites
Adoptionism
Said Jesus was only Son of God by adoption
Gnostic Docetism
Denies Jesus’ humanity
Arianism
Denies Jesus’ divinity
Nestorianism
Said Jesus was two separate persons, one human and one divine
Monophysites
Said human nature of Christ stopped existing when the Son assumed it
Apollinarianism
Said divine Word replaced human soul
How is the Son of God true man?
Christ’s human nature was assumed, not absorbed. “The Son of God… worked with human hands; he thought with a human mind. He acted with a human will, and with a human heart he loved. Born of the Virgin Mary, he has truly been made one of us, like us in all things except sin.
4 examples of how what the Catholic faith believes about Mary is based on what she believes about Christ?
- Mary is the Theotokos
- Mary is perpetual virgin
- Mary is immaculately conceived
- Mary is assumed into Heaven
Mary is the Theotokos
- Mary as the Theotokos means she is the MOTHER OF GOD
- Jesus is fully God
Mary is a perpetual virgin
- The perpetual virgin means Mary was a virgin for her ENTIRE LIFE
- She is a perpetual virgin so there is no question about Jesus’ parentage. The virginal conception is a sign that Jesus is God. Christ’s birth sanctified Mary’s virginity.
- God’s absolute initiative in Incarnation as He is the only Father in both natures
- Adam made from dust while new Adam made from heaven
- Jesus’ conception brings about birth of us in the Holy Spirit through faith
Mary is immaculately conceived
At the instant of Mary’s birth she was redeemed of from original sin from her conception, but not in the state of original sin
-It was so Mary could give her fiat freely and be a pure vessel for Jesus as Mary is the new ark of the covenant
Mary is assumed into Heaven
- Mary was taken body and soul into heaven at the end of her life. The Church does not declare if the Assumption happened before death or if Mary was preserved from death
- The Assumption is the first demonstration of Jesus’ power of the Resurrection of the dead which will happen at the 2nd coming
Latria
Adoration reserved exclusively for God
Dulia
- The honor on account of the dominion by which He rules over creatures
- It is the honor given to the saints who are in heaven
Hyper-Dulia
Veneration of Mary
Mary is foremost of the saints
Mary is highly honored with special devotion
The Creed refers to only two moments in the earthly life of Christ. What are they?
Incarnation
Paschal Mystery
Why were the gospels written?
- To give an account of the person of Jesus Christ
- The contents of our four Gospels are intimately connected with more primitive accounts of Christ’s life, which may be described in a general way, as an Oral Gospel. Jesus Himself did not consign to writing His own teachings, and directed His Apostles not to write, but to preach, the Gospel to their fellow-men. They regard as an undoubted fact that these first disciples of the Master, faithful to the mission which He had entrusted to them, began from the day of Pentecost on, boldly to declare by word of mouth what they had seen and heard considering as a special duty of theirs “the ministry of the word”
What does it mean to say, “Christ’s whole life is a mystery?
Many things about Jesus do not figure in the Gospels. Almost nothing is said about his hidden life at Nazareth and even a great part of his public life is not recounted. What is written in the Gospels was set down there “so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.”
What are some of the mysteries of Jesus’ infancy ?
- At Christmas, the glory of heaven is shown forth in the weakness of a baby
- The circumcision of Jesus is a sign of his belonging to the Hebrew people and is a prefiguration of our Baptism
- The Epiphany is the manifestation of the Messiah King of Israel to all the nations
- At the presentation in the temple, Simeon and Anna symbolize all the anticipation of Israel awaiting its encounter with its Savior
- The flight into Egypt and the massacre of the innocents proclaim that the entire life of Christ will be under the sign of persecution
- The departure from Egypt recalls the exodus and presents Jesus as the new Moses and the true and definitive liberator
Mysteries of Jesus’ Hidden Life
- In the course of his hidden life in Nazareth Jesus stayed in the silence of an ordinary existence
- This allows us to enter into fellowship with him in holiness to be found in a daily life marked by prayer, simplicity, work and family love
- His obedience to Mary and to Joseph, his foster father, is an image of this filial obedience to the Father
- Mary and Joseph accepted with faith the mystery of Jesus even though they did not always understand it
What are some of the mysteries of Jesus’ public life?
- Baptism
- Temptation
- Kingdom of Heaven
- Peter has the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven
- Transfiguration
Baptism as mystery
Shows Jesus is the Servant of God
Temptation as mystery
Shows Jesus beats Satan
Peter as mystery
Peter has the keys of the kingdom of Heaven
Transfiguration
Strengthens faith of apostles in the necessity of the Passion
What is meant by the “Paschal Mystery” of Christ and what is the importance?
Comprises the passion, death, resurrection, and glorification. It stands at the center of the Christian faith because God’s saving plan was accomplished once for all by the redemptive death of his Son Jesus Christ.
What did Jesus teach about the Law of the Jews and the Temple in Jerusalem?
- Jesus did not abolish the Law given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai but he fulfilled it by giving its definitive interpretation.
- He himself was the divine Legislator who fully carried out this Law. Further, as the faithful Servant, he offered by means of his expiatory death the only sacrifice capable of making atonement for all the “transgressions committed by men under the first Covenant”
Who is guilty for Jesus’ condemnation and death?
Every single sinner is really the cause and the instrument of the sufferings of the Redeemer; and the greater blame in this respect falls on those above all who are Christians and who the more often fall into sin or delight in their vices.
Significance of the Last Supper
Institution of the Eucharist and the Priesthood. It began with the new passover which would be completed on Calvary, and it made the sacrifice of Calvary present. The Crucifixion was the death of Jesus on the Cross, the redeeming act of Christ. Jesus took upon humanity and all of its effects to redeem us.
