A few questions about what the Church teaches

[AveChriste11]

Does Catholicism have a concept of an inward Light or divine spark? What I mean is, at your core there is perfection and holiness. Life is a process of purging yourself of the passions, so that the inner Light can manifest through you and help yourself and others. If it does have such a concept, how does this differ from the New Age understanding of those terms as I described?

Does the Catholic Church believe that we can manifest the same potential as Jesus did? I remember the Bible stating that the works Jesus has done, we can do too and even greater works than those can we do because Christ is ascending unto the Father, “unto my God and your God”. Also, why does Jesus have to be the only son of God? Was it ever possible in the eyes of the Church for people to find their way to Heaven without the death and resurrection of Christ? I can see how some people might assume this was just a way for the religious authorities to “make stuff up”, so they don’t lose control over the minds and hearts of the people. Yet I’m not one for conspiracies, as I would rather know the facts.

I was also wondering, what does it mean when the Church states that Jesus died for the sins of the world. When I look at the Old Testament, and I see examples of where the Israelites had sinned against God – there was retribution. It’s as if Israel had a lesson to learn because they missed the mark, and they learned it whether by the Babylonian exile, the Assyrian exile, or in other ways. So if Jesus takes on the “sins of the world” when he dies on the cross, if Jesus “dies” for my sins – then how will I ever learn anything? Does this mean that there are no consequences for what we do, until after death if we’ve rejected Christ in thought, word, and deed?

I know there are a lot of knowledgeable people, and I’ve been very confused about those things. I was wanting to know what the Church has said on these subjects, and if you guys can help me find those answers?

Sincerely,
Andrew

 

[1ke]

Does Catholicism have a concept of an inward Light or divine spark? What I mean is, at your core there is perfection and holiness. Life is a process of purging yourself of the passions, so that the inner Light can manifest through you and help yourself and others. If it does have such a concept, how does this differ from the New Age understanding of those terms as I described?

No

Does the Catholic Church believe that we can manifest the same potential as Jesus did?

Jesus is God. We are not. So, no.

Also, why does Jesus have to be the only son of God?

Because Jesus IS God.

Was it ever possible in the eyes of the Church for people to find their way to Heaven without the death and resurrection of Christ?

No.

Does this mean that there are no consequences for what we do, until after death if we’ve rejected Christ in thought, word, and deed?

No.

I know there are a lot of knowledgeable people, and I’ve been very confused about those things. I was wanting to know what the Church has said on these subjects, and if you guys can help me find those answers?

Sincerely,
Andrew

I would suggest that you read something that presents the faith in a logical, coherent fashion, such as The US Adult Catechism, instead of asking random questions. It would probably make more sense that way.

 

[Della]

Does Catholicism have a concept of an inward Light or divine spark? What I mean is, at your core there is perfection and holiness. Life is a process of purging yourself of the passions, so that the inner Light can manifest through you and help yourself and others. If it does have such a concept, how does this differ from the New Age understanding of those terms as I described?

What you described is indeed New Age thinking, but definitely not Catholic teaching. Having said that, though, it’s not far off the mark, but the difference is significant. The Church teaches that we were created in the image and likeness of God per Genesis. But also, per Genesis, man fell through disobedience. What this means is the image of God is marred in us. We are wounded in intellect, will, and spirit. Christ came to heal this wound and restore God’s image in each of us.

Does the Catholic Church believe that we can manifest the same potential as Jesus did? I remember the Bible stating that the works Jesus has done, we can do too and even greater works than those can we do because Christ is ascending unto the Father, “unto my God and your God”.

What Jesus meant is that because he would send the Holy Spirit who works God’s will in us, we can do the works that Jesus did, such as love unconditionally and sacraficially. It doesn’t mean we will do greater miracles–there can be no greater miracle than the redemption of mankind, but rather that we would be co-workers with Christ in saving the world.

Also, why does Jesus have to be the only son of God?

God the Son is one of the Persons of the Holy Trinity. He became man but gave up none of his divinity when he did so. We are not divine, but we can partake of the divine life in and through Christ.

Was it ever possible in the eyes of the Church for people to find their way to Heaven without the death and resurrection of Christ? I can see how some people might assume this was just a way for the religious authorities to “make stuff up”, so they don’t lose control over the minds and hearts of the people. Yet I’m not one for conspiracies, as I would rather know the facts.

Everyone who will be saved is saved in Christ, even if they have never heard his name. This is possible because Jesus’ death on the cross redeemed all mankind, pouring God’s grace upon everyone. The Catechism of the Catholic Church covers this issue. Jesus founded the Church upon Peter and the Apostles to help and guide us, not to control us. People who make the claim that the Church wants to control people really mean they simply don’t want to live according to some aspect of the moral law set by God and not by man

I was also wondering, what does it mean when the Church states that Jesus died for the sins of the world. When I look at the Old Testament, and I see examples of where the Israelites had sinned against God – there was retribution. It’s as if Israel had a lesson to learn because they missed the mark, and they learned it whether by the Babylonian exile, the Assyrian exile, or in other ways. So if Jesus takes on the “sins of the world” when he dies on the cross, if Jesus “dies” for my sins – then how will I ever learn anything? Does this mean that there are no consequences for what we do, until after death if we’ve rejected Christ in thought, word, and deed?

Because God does not exact immediate justice since Christ has redeemed us, doesn’t mean there are no consequences for sin. If we live a life of sin we will pay for it by making a muck of it here on earth. What gets people damned is sinning willfully against God when they know better. I don’t think most people can say they don’t know when they’ve committed a serious sin unless they have seared their conscience so much they are insensible to their sins. That is possible, and that is what can lead us to rejecting God, and thus rejecting eternal life.

I know there are a lot of knowledgeable people, and I’ve been very confused about those things. I was wanting to know what the Church has said on these subjects, and if you guys can help me find those answers?

Sincerely,
Andrew

It’s really best if you ask one question at a time per thread so you get fuller responses. There’s lots of time, after all and we are here to help you all we can.

 

[commenter]

Does Catholicism have a concept of an inward Light or divine spark? What I mean is, at your core there is perfection and holiness. Life is a process of purging yourself of the passions, so that the inner Light can manifest through you and help yourself and others.
(Response) Catholicism teaches conversion: dying to self, rising in Christ, taking up my cross daily. You wouldn’t want to see my inner light, trust me.

Does the Catholic Church believe that we can manifest the same potential as Jesus did?
(Response) No, but the Church brings us the sacraments, which are both visible signs and supernatural realities. They do not make us divine, which Jesus is, and always was.

Also, why does Jesus have to be the only son of God?
(Response) Because Jesus is God. Scripture and Tradition teach us that.

Was it ever possible in the eyes of the Church for people to find their way to Heaven without the death and resurrection of Christ?
(Response) The same sources that teach us Heaven exists also teach us about Christ, and the Crucifixion and Resurrection. In ancient times, and today, a dominant heresy is that Jesus “became” the son of God by being more and more spiritual, and thus we can do the same. Catholicism doesn’t teach spirituality is good or bad, it teaches that God is good.

I was also wondering, what does it mean when the Church states that Jesus died for the sins of the world.
(Response) He died for the sins of me, personally, and other individuals like me. I was raised Catholic, but I choose to remain Catholic to get my sins forgiven. When I go to confession, I am tempted to confess the sins of the world, but the priest makes me focus on the sins that I personally committed.

I know there are a lot of knowledgeable people, and I’ve been very confused about those things. I was wanting to know what the Church has said on these subjects, and if you guys can help me find those answers?
(Response) See the earlier posts by others, many shows on EWTN touch on these topics. Check the EWTN website, and Catholic Answers.

Sincerely,
Andrew

 

[DavidFilmer]

Does the Catholic Church believe that we can manifest the same potential as Jesus did?

I’m not sure what you mean by “potential.”

The Church does teach that we may achieve spiritual perfection (which is the complete aversion to all sin) while on earth. This is a long way from being God incarnate, but it is something that Jesus (and Mary) did that we can also achieve.

This doctrine has been taught by three Doctors of the Church (all of whom were members of the Carmelite Religious Order), most recently by St. Therese in what she called her “little way,” which teaches that we can achieve this perfection in our ordinary lives - we don’t need to live towering lives of heroic virtue (it was for this teaching that she was named Doctor of the Church - she is one of only three women Doctors).

If you are interested in this then I suggest looking into Carmelite spirituality.

 

[Dranu]

Does Catholicism have a concept of an inward Light or divine spark? What I mean is, at your core there is perfection and holiness. Life is a process of purging yourself of the passions, so that the inner Light can manifest through you and help yourself and others. If it does have such a concept, how does this differ from the New Age understanding of those terms as I described?

Somewhat close (the Grace of God guiding us interiorly), but not exactly friend. Added to what others said on this subject, I would also add the Church teaches purging sinful passions, but that passions generally can be a very good thing. As cool as the Stoics, some branches of Buddhism, and Vulcans are, they are mistaken (though very close to the truth) about purging oneself of all passions and emotions. For Catholics, its more about putting the passions in their proper order (rather than destroying them altogether) subordinate to faith and reason.

I would agree with what 1ke said. I would pick up the modern Catechism if you want to have a good rough overview of what Catholicism teaches, though I would also encourage questions here while doing that .