test 1 Flashcards
Faith is the answer man offers to God. Elucidate
• its a supernatural virtue given to man by God
• “blessed are you simon bar jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you but my father who is in heaven” (matthew 16:17)
• faith doesn’t derive from human talents, it is a gift of the heavenly father
“Abraham is the father of all believers”. Describe
• god gave a special call to abraham
• set him apart to save man who failed to respond to the divine revelation
• by faith abraham was ready to sacrifice his only son, thus making him the father of all believers
Substantiate that Mary is the perfect model of obedience in faith
• mary surrendered herself to the divine will
• she remained firm in her faith throughout her life, even during jesus’ crucifixion
What are the characteristics of faith
• gift from god
• a human act
• a gift perfects reason
• the beginning of eternal life
• a gift to be protected daily
Enumerate different levels of faith
• church level
• family level
• personal level
• community level
What are the important false doctrines against faith
• agnosticism
• rationalism
• materialism
• humanism
• communism
Why is communism not acceptable to christians
• the church opposes communism because it is an atheistic system and it justifies violence to attain its end
• communism promotes:
- atheism and denial of religion
- class war and violence
- denial of right to property
- autocracy of the employees
What is humanism
• humanists deny God for the sake of the glory of man
• they say that man, not god is the measuring rod of everything
• they say that heaven and hell are not realities but exist on earth
• they say that man does not need god
What is the view of the church about the employer and employee
• the church stands to protect the rights of both the employer and employee
• ensures that their rights are recognised
Why does materialism contradict christian faith
• materialism says that material things alone are real and there is nothing beyond it
• they deny the role of a supreme power in the origin and final goal of the universe
Modern pentecostal movement is a wrong renewal movement. Elucidate
• they have deserted the divine foundation of the church which was instituted by jesus on peterx the rock
• it is man made and has no central system, they have no apostolic foundation which unites the faithful
The pentecostal groups claim that the early church is their model. Why do we say that the argument is not correct?
• they do not have a set of principles of faith or tradition received and learned from Jesus and handed over to posterity through apostolic succession
• thus the early church is not their model
What are the main defects of the pentecostal groups
• denial of sacrements
• rejection of traditions
• wrong teachings
• religious fundamentalism
• wrong vision of the end of the world
What are the wrong teachings that the pentecostal groups give?
• they reject fundamental teachings of the church like the communion of the faithful, the communion of saints, canons of the bible etc
• they accept only 66 books of the bible
• they reject and oppose the tradition of the catholic church, blessed virgin mary, saints and ministers
What are the main teachings and life-style of pentecostal movements?
• they prohibit cinema, use of jewellery, and use of liquor
• they object medical treatment
• they believe that christ will heal them through prayer alone
What are the forms of worldly pleasures that induce man?
• greed for money
• vainglory (false pride)
• consumerism
• desire for power
• prodigality
• craze for luxuries
• pleasure seeking
• unhealthy competitions
• hero worship
Vainglory ultimately leads to the downfall of individuals and destruction of the people at large. Explain with examples
• when a person considers himself better than what he really is, he becomes a slave to false pride
• it is a misunderstanding that everything is the result of his efforts
• they don’t give due place to God or to others
Obedience to the word of God, our hearts have to be free from riches, is essential to enter heaven. Illustrate or elucidate
• christian life is a pilgrimage, the goal of this pilgrimage is heaven
• a christian should have the power of faith to overcome anything that keeps him away from God
How is church authority different from political authority
• God has given the right for individuals and communities to share His authority over the universe for the good and prosperity of man
How does extravagance and pleasure seeking become an obstacle to the perfection of christian life
• human life doesn’t terminate with the end of life in this world, it is meant for eternal life
• hence we should be careful not to lose eternal joy by indulging in the pleasures of this world
