Do Adult Catholics Have An Obligation to Increase Their Knowledge of the Faith?

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Fidelis

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Of course we intuitively know they should, but are there any Scriptures, Catechism citations, or statements by Popes or Councils that teach this as a clear obligation?

The reason I ask is to help formulate a response to those who (a) have the attitude that after 12 years of Catholic school, Catholic college, spending time in a seminary or as a nun, etc., etc., etc., they know all there is about Catholic teaching and (b) the other attitude that it’s better to know less about the Faith because then I’m not culpable for following the teachings of the Church I don’t know. (I’ve run into both types often over the years).

Now I know we all have our opinions about this, but I’m not looking for opinions, but for resources to build an argument on. Thanks!
 
Fidelis said:
Of course we intuitively know they should, but are there any Scriptures, Catechism citations, or statements by Popes or Councils that teach this as a clear obligation?

The reason I ask is to help formulate a response to those who (a) have the attitude that after 12 years of Catholic school, Catholic college, spending time in a seminary or as a nun, etc., etc., etc., they know all there is about Catholic teaching and (b) the other attitude that it’s better to know less about the Faith because then I’m not culpable for following the teachings of the Church I don’t know. (I’ve run into both types often over the years).

Now I know we all have our opinions about this, but I’m not looking for opinions, but for resources to build an argument on. Thanks!
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sorry, I’m not the good one for digging up quotes.

but I can say that nobody ever knows everything about anything. there are always slight changes being made, doctrinal development, new moral issues that arise so, yes, we need to keep up.

and not everything is always soundly taught in catholic schools or even seminaries so they may think they know it all but in fact, they don’t

as for the other group, I can guarantee you, purposefully avoiding learning something about the faith, is not going to give them a free pass with God. that’s called feigned ignorance and actually increases culpability.

of course, everyone is on a different journey and not everyone realizes at the same point and time that there is more to be learned. real ignorance also exists
 
just ask them:

Who do suppose will be the teachers of tomorrow?
Our US culture has a very “O’ll pay someone else to do it” kind of attitude.
Many (not all of course)leave catechesis to a few volunteers and church employees.
The Church is VERY CLEAR that parents are the first educators in the faith.
It stands to reason, that they should constantly be learning themselves, as their children mature and their questions become deeper.
Ask them. WHO is going to teach your grandchildren?
 
If St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas were not satisfied with the knowledge that they had acquired in their entire lifetimes, I think all of us have an obligation to continue life long learning.

Besides, humans should want to know everything about the ones they love.
 
Fidelis #1
Of course we intuitively know they should, but are there any Scriptures, Catechism citations, or statements by Popes or Councils that teach this as a clear obligation?
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CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/aposcons.htm

**3. The Doctrinal Value of the Text **
The Catechism of the Catholic Church, which I approved 25 June last and the publication of which I today order by virtue of my Apostolic Authority, is a statement of the Church’s faith and of catholic doctrine, attested to or illumined by Sacred Scripture, the Apostolic Tradition and the Church’s Magisterium. I declare it to be a sure norm for teaching the faith and thus a valid and legitimate instrument for ecclesial communion. May it serve the renewal to which the Holy Spirit ceaselessly calls the Church of God, the Body of Christ, on her pilgrimage to the undiminished light of the Kingdom!

The approval and publication of the *Catechism of the Catholic Church *represent a service which the Successor of Peter wishes to offer to the Holy Catholic Church, to all the particular Churches in peace and communion with the Apostolic See: the service, that is, of supporting and confirming the faith of all the Lord Jesus’ disciples (cf. Lk 22:32) as well as of strengthening the bonds of unity in the same apostolic faith.

Therefore, I ask all the Church’s Pastors and the Christian faithful to receive this catechism in a spirit of communion and to use it assiduously in fulfilling their mission of proclaiming the faith and calling people to the Gospel life. This catechism is given to them that it may be a sure and authentic reference text for teaching catholic doctrine and particularly for preparing local catechisms. It is also offered to all the faithful who wish to deepen their knowledge of the unfathomable riches of salvation (cf. Eph 3:8). It is meant to support ecumenical efforts that are moved by the holy desire for the unity of all Christians, showing carefully the content and wondrous harmony of the catholic faith. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, lastly, is offered to every individual who asks us to give an account of the hope that is in us (cf. 1 Pt 3:15) and who wants to know what the Catholic Church believes. [My underlining].
 
I would go on further, to the section on faith:

2088 The first commandment requires us to nourish and protect our faith with prudence and vigilance, and to reject everything that is opposed to it. There are various ways of sinning against faith: …]

2089 Incredulity is the neglect of revealed truth or the willful refusal to assent to it. …]

and the section on conscience:

1783 Conscience must be informed and moral judgment enlightened. …] The education of conscience is indispensable for human beings who are subjected to negative influences and tempted by sin to prefer their own judgment and to reject authoritative teachings.

1784 The education of the conscience is a lifelong task. …]

1798 …] Everyone must avail himself of the means to form his conscience.
 
You frequent the Sacraments, you pray, you are chaste, but you do not study. Don’t tell me you’re good: you’re only ‘goodish’.*

St Josemaria Escriva (founder of Opus Dei).

🙂
 
Knowledge is good, but it is limited because it is merely intellectual. To paraphrase St. Paul, “If I comprehend all mysteries and all knowledge but do not have love, I am nothing.” So I would have to say no, we are under no obligation to increase knowledge. The obligation is to believe and to love. For some of us, knowledge guides our spiritual growth. Perhaps others grow in faith and love without studying or explaining.
 
Fidelis said:
Of course we intuitively know they should, but are there any Scriptures, Catechism citations, or statements by Popes or Councils that teach this as a clear obligation?

The reason I ask is to help formulate a response to those who (a) have the attitude that after 12 years of Catholic school, Catholic college, spending time in a seminary or as a nun, etc., etc., etc., they know all there is about Catholic teaching and (b) the other attitude that it’s better to know less about the Faith because then I’m not culpable for following the teachings of the Church I don’t know. (I’ve run into both types often over the years).

Now I know we all have our opinions about this, but I’m not looking for opinions, but for resources to build an argument on. Thanks!
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2 Timothy 2:15
 
Part I.

The quotes below were selectively chosen from this web site where you can read more if you like.

defendingthebride.com/mc/truth.html

**Jesus is the Light of the world, John 8:12. If we truly love God then we seek to walk into the light and learn God’s ways so that we may turn from sin and be united to God and live a holy life by conquering the temptations to sin.
**
**1 John 1:5-7
“God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say, ‘We have fellowship with him,’ while we continue to walk in darkness, we lie and do not act in truth. But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, then we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of his Son Jesus cleanses us from all sin.”
**
**John 3:19-20
“And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed.”
**
Revelation 3:19-21
“Those whom I love, I reprove and chasten; so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. He who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I myself conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.”

L****OVE OF TRUTH
Code: 
**We will perish if we do not love Truth.
**
**2 Thessalonians 2:10-12
“ … those who are perishing because they have not accepted the love of truth so that they may be saved. Therefore, God is sending them a deceiving power so that they may believe the lie, that all who have not believed the truth but have approved wrongdoing may be condemned.”

**
**There is no true and perfect love without obedience to all that Christ commanded.
**
**1 John 5:2-3
“In this way we know that we love the children of God when we love God and obey his commandments. For the love of God is this, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome”
**
**2 John 6
“For this is love, that we walk according to his commandments”
**
**Hebrews 5:9
“ … he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him … ” **

**Jesus came to distinguish good from evil and truth from error.

**
**Luke 12:51
“Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.”

Also see Mat. 10:34-39. **
**We are called to grow in our intellectual understanding of God, so that we might grow closer to Him.

**
**Romans 12:1-2
“I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship. Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.”

The word “spiritual” is translated from the Greek word “LOGIKOS” , ( Strong’s # 3050). It means reasonable. We get the word “logical” from it. **
**So, we cannot pit the spiritual life against the logical life. We don’t grow spiritually just by getting our emotions all worked up and feeling good about how close we are to God. We grow spiritually when we grow intellectually.

Now, that is not to say that our relationship with Jesus can be reduced to just thinking about religious concepts, or that somehow we can do it on our own without His Grace. No, His Grace is essential for intellectual growth that enables us to know God better so that we might follow Him more closely.

Our openness to the Holy Spirit cannot be measured by how spontaneous and emotional we are, rather the Holy Spirit calls us to be logical, constant, faithful, persistent and diligent. True love for God produces a desire to know Him more deeply so that we might gain insight into His Wisdom in order that we might fulfill His will in our lives. We use our intellect to find God’s will as opposed to just accepting whatever makes us feel good.

**
**It is wrong to just follow our own desires, and to look for teachings that our ears want to hear.

**
**2 Timothy 4:3-4
“For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine but, following their own desires and insatiable curiosity, will accumulate teachers and will stop listening to the truth and will be diverted to myths.” NAB **

Blessed Virgin Mary

**Mary gives us an example of how we should ponder in our hearts the works of God so that we might grow in Wisdom.
**
**Luke 2:16-19
“So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger…And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.”
**
**Sirach 14:20
“Happy the man who meditates on wisdom, and reflects on knowledge …”
See also Ps. 77:11-12 and Ps. 145:5 in the RSV translation. **
 
Part 2

A****BSOLUTE
Code: 
**It is not enough to be just sincere in our worship of God. We must embrace the One True God.
**
**John 4:24
“ … those who worship him must worship in Spirit and truth.”
**
**John 16:2
“They will expel you from the synagogues; in fact, the hour is coming when everyone who kills you will think he is offering worship to God.”
**
**Sincerity is not enough because Truth is not subjective.
**
**Hosea 4:6
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.”
**
**Hosea 6:6
“For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God, rather than burnt offerings.”
**
**Proverbs 19:2
“Without knowledge even zeal is not good; and he who acts hastily, blunders.”
**
**Matthew 15:14
“If a blind person leads a blind person, both will fall into a pit.”
**
**Luke 12:47-48
“That servant who knew his master’s will but did not make preparations nor act in accord with his will shall be beaten severely; and the servant who was ignorant of his master’s will but acted in a way deserving of a severe beating shall be beaten only lightly.”

**
**Their guilt is mitigated somewhat by their ignorance, but not completely. **

J****ESUS AND HIS PURPOSE

The world views the truth as unimportant or as arbitrary. **
**
‘What is truth ?’ ” Pilate words to Jesus in John 18:38
**Jesus says that this teaching of the Truth is His mission.

**
**Mark 1:32-38
“ … they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons… He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons… Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. Simon and those who were with him pursued him and on finding him said, ‘Everyone is looking for you.’ He told them, ‘Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.’ ”

Rather than go to those who are seeking Him because He worked miracles for them, He goes on to the next town to fulfill the more important mission of preaching the truth. God the Son accepts this mission and becomes a Man even though it will lead to His crucifixion.

**
**The essence of the person Jesus is Love and Truth. To know and embrace Him with ones heart, mind, and soul is essential. The first and most important truth is to love God. The second is to love our neighbor.

**
**Mark 12:29-30
“Jesus replied, ‘The first (commandment) is this: “Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.” ’ ”

**
**Knowing the Truth is important. **

**We must strive, with the help of God’s grace, to love God as He truly is and not just embrace a false perception of Him.

**
**Matthew 7:21-23
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name? Did we not drive out demons in your name? Did we not do mighty deeds in your name?’ Then I will declare to them solemnly, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers.’ ” **

In regards to the person who chooses to remain ignorant to “avoid culpability” can he truly say that he loves the Truth, who is Jesus ? Is presumption a sin ???

.
 
Fidelis said:
those who (a) have the attitude that after 12 years of Catholic school, Catholic college, spending time in a seminary or as a nun, etc., etc., etc., they know all there is about Catholic teaching and

!
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It is not about getting a degree or going on a head ego trip. It is not something we accomplish and then move on to something else. Jesus is Truth. He is calling us to a relationship of love. In a marriage do we satisfy ourselves and then move onto something else ???

I hope not. Learning about God is ongoing because He is infinite and we are always in need. The Gospel is always forever new to the Christian. We are always moving one way or another. Either we are getting closer to Jesus or we are moving away from Him. He is our only hope. There is no other.

.
 
For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.-Romans 15:4

10 Now you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, [g]perseverance, 11 persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium and at Lystra; what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me! 12 Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 13 But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. - 2Timothy3:10-17
 
For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.-Romans 15:4

10 Now you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, [g]perseverance, 11 persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium and at Lystra; what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me! 12 Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 13 But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. - 2Timothy3:10-17

That said, the situation you are describing, while common, is also foretold by Jesus in the parable of the sower. Some will sprout in the faith and fall away. Sad but true.

I think the most effective thing we can do sometimes is to pray the Holy Spirit speaks to their heart, or through our words (spoken in charity, of course).
 
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