Catechism

[Crown_of_Stars]

I’ve never been clear on the very roots of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. These can’t merely be man-made, man-decided laws. The authors of the Catechism must have had private revelations. Or not? How did those who wrote the Catechism know what laws to make? Sometimes I’ve thought, if they are merely man-thought-up, why do we take them seriously? Not that I’m having doubts. It’s just a case of truly wondering where it really all comes from. Also, I’ve heard that the Catechism contradicts the Bible. I can’t give an example of this, but I have a feeling it may be false.

 

[Ad_Orientem]

If you look at the footnotes you’ll find citations of Scripture, Popes, Ecumenical Councils, synods, Church Fathers, theologians, and other sources. It contains everything from dogma to theology, so it’s not like it’s one continuous infallible document. It’s full of Church teaching, though, so it’s not like it’s just a tome of opinions. In a word, it draws on Tradition in its various forms, and on the work of theologians. Check the sources for more information.

At the front of the Catechism is the Apostolic Constitution* Fidei Depositum* of Pope John Paul II, in which he writes:

The Catechism of the Catholic Church is the result of very extensive collaboration; it was prepared over six years of intense work done in a spirit of complete openness and fervent zeal. In 1986, I entrusted a commission of twelve Cardinals and Bishops, chaired by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, with the task of preparing a draft of the catechism requested by the Synod Fathers. An editorial committee of seven diocesan Bishops, experts in theology and catechesis, assisted the commission in its work. Read more].

 

[Cor_ad_Cor]

Just a point of clarification: the Catechism is Church teaching (that’s what catechism means), but it’s not law, per se.

That said, I would challenge anyone to specifically point out anything in the Catechism or the Code of Canon Law that contradicts Scripture. (Save your time; can’t be done.)

Ad Orientem addressed the “where it comes from” quite well.

 

[Elizium23]

In a nutshell, the Catechism comes from Sacred Tradition. This is not private or public revelation, but is the teaching of Christ handed down by the Apostles and the Magisterium.

Sacred Scripture is part of Tradition. It is the “tip of the iceberg” in that everything in Tradition can point back to a Scriptural basis for the teachings which have developed. It is impossible for Tradition to contradict Scripture because they are one in an organic whole.

 

[TheologyInfinit]

Tip of the iceberg.

 

[Don_Ruggero]

I’ve never been clear on the very roots of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. These can’t merely be man-made, man-decided laws. The authors of the Catechism must have had private revelations. Or not? How did those who wrote the Catechism know what laws to make? Sometimes I’ve thought, if they are merely man-thought-up, why do we take them seriously? Not that I’m having doubts. It’s just a case of truly wondering where it really all comes from. Also, I’ve heard that the Catechism contradicts the Bible. I can’t give an example of this, but I have a feeling it may be false.

Assuredly, the catechism was not the product of private revelation. It is a product of theologians who were (and are, since many are yet among the living) singularly and extraordinarily gifted in their particular science and in articulating the authentic teaching of the Church.

Might I suggest the wonderful document, Donum Veritatis? It is a beautiful articulation of the vocation of a theologian in the life of the Church and in the service of the Magisterium.

vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_19900524_theologian-vocation_en.html

 

[Don_Ruggero]

I’ve never been clear on the very roots of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. These can’t merely be man-made, man-decided laws. The authors of the Catechism must have had private revelations. Or not? How did those who wrote the Catechism know what laws to make? Sometimes I’ve thought, if they are merely man-thought-up, why do we take them seriously? Not that I’m having doubts. It’s just a case of truly wondering where it really all comes from. Also, I’ve heard that the Catechism contradicts the Bible. I can’t give an example of this, but I have a feeling it may be false.

Upon further reflection on your post, I would suggest to you a thoughtful reading of the Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation, Dei Verbum. You should find there the answers you seek in terms of Divine Revelation, in terms of Sacred Scripture, in terms of Apostolic Tradition, and also the Church’s Magisterium which both safeguards and articulates the Deposit of the Faith with which the Church has been entrusted by her Divine Founder.

vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19651118_dei-verbum_en.html

 

[Ad_Orientem]

… everything in Tradition can point back to a Scriptural basis for the teachings which have developed. …

This doesn’t sound right to me. It sounds like you’re asserting that all Church teachings are ultimately based on the Bible.

 

[Elizium23]

This doesn’t sound right to me. It sounds like you’re asserting that all Church teachings are ultimately based on the Bible.

Not “based on” the Bible, but every teaching has scriptural support, whether it is a literal reading, an allusion, or an oblique reference, such as the Assumption or Purgatory. Just ask Trent Horn, who will be happy to cite multiple verses for any teaching you can name.