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hasantas
Guest
So could faith be sourced from Ctacheism and can it be more valid than scripture? How much could scripture support Catechism?
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Vonsalza
Guest
Yes.
More valid? No.
Scriptural support is important to the Catechism.
But one thing you should understand about Catholicism is that we are not “a people of the book”, regardless what you may hear elsewhere. We are a people “of the Church”.
The primary source of doctrine and authority within the Church is the Pope and his Bishops; the heirs of the Apostles themselves. The Bible has no superior as far as texts go. But the Church was given the authority by Christ to “bind and loose” doctrine. You see this very thing happening in the writing of the epistles of the New Testament.
The Catechism was compiled to take those lessons as well as lessons from councils and papal decrees and codify them into one source so that Catholics may efficiently study the doctrines of the Church.
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TK421
Guest
Properly speaking, scripture is revelation, since it is something man did not produce or could produce.
The Catechism is an official interpretation of revelation, used for dissemination and catechsis (instruction). Although even here, the language can sometimes be pretty academic, since the primary, intended audience of the Catechism are bishops, who are appointed by the Pope.
In terms of succinctness: the Catechism (or more accurately: the Magisterium) is better than raw scripture for the purpose of teaching doctrine, because scripture is written text and the Magisterium is a living person. It is the Catholic view that scripture by itself would lead to a divergence of views among both scholars and everyday people over issues that are extremely important and essential to the faith, and if there is a divergence of views over essential issues of doctrine, than the Church lacks authority. What one person calls “Christian” or “Catholic” might be radically different than what another persons calls “Christian”, and the word begins to lose meaning. This is why Christ established Peter as the “the Rock”: the earthly shepherd and the final say in contentious issues. The successors of Peter serve as the Vicar of Christ on Earth. Just like there is uniformity within God, rather than division, there is uniformity with his Church.
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Homerun14
Guest
Yes, we are a people of the Church. Every Catholic should be required to go up to a blackboard and write 100 times, “The Bible came from the Church, the Church did not come from the Bible.”
The Bible is about the Church. On the other hand, the Catechism is about teaching us in clear language what we are to believe. While the Bible is excellent for us to read, all Catholics should be pouring over the Catechism to learn their religion. The two work together.
Unfortunately, over the past 50 years, most Church leaders have relegated any catechism to the back burner, therefore many Catholics do not realize much of what they should know about the faith. For every 100 parishes who I see advertise having Bible discussion get-together for parishioners, I might see only one parish have something about studying the catechism for its members.
The Bible is about the Church. On the other hand, the Catechism is about teaching us in clear language what we are to believe. While the Bible is excellent for us to read, all Catholics should be pouring over the Catechism to learn their religion. The two work together.
Unfortunately, over the past 50 years, most Church leaders have relegated any catechism to the back burner, therefore many Catholics do not realize much of what they should know about the faith. For every 100 parishes who I see advertise having Bible discussion get-together for parishioners, I might see only one parish have something about studying the catechism for its members.
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Ad_Orientem
Guest
Scripture, Tradition, Magisterial teaching.
Scripture & Tradition are divinely inspired and the word of God. Magisterial teaching is interpretation of the Scripture and Tradition (not inspired), but can be *infallible *(without the possibility of error) when it is taught at the highest level.
The Catechism largely consists of Magisterial teaching, and it is a mix of both infallible and non-infallible statements. It also contains bits of theology.
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Logical2
Guest
The catatism was written by fr john harden.
He has written many teachings . he taught creative writing at western Mich university .
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pnewton
Guest
The Catechism of the Catholic Church is teaching. It is teaching based on Scripture, tradition, Church councils, Popes, saints, etc. It is heavily footnoted and referenced specifically because its authority is only derived from its accuracy.
The question would be akin to asking whether an encyclopedia is fact or fiction. The answer is that it is neither, but is research, factual in the extent that it is accurate, and foot-noted to insure that accuracy.
In addition to the Catechism, there is a weightier volume known as the Compendium to the Catechism that goes into greater depth in documenting that which is being taught as authentic Catholic teaching. Think of it this way, the Catechism is the best standard of what Catholic teaching is available.
The question would be akin to asking whether an encyclopedia is fact or fiction. The answer is that it is neither, but is research, factual in the extent that it is accurate, and foot-noted to insure that accuracy.
In addition to the Catechism, there is a weightier volume known as the Compendium to the Catechism that goes into greater depth in documenting that which is being taught as authentic Catholic teaching. Think of it this way, the Catechism is the best standard of what Catholic teaching is available.
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pnewton
Guest
It was written, assembled and edited by a committee of cardinals and bishops, with the help of many others. No one person "wrote " it. As it was initially written in French, I think you most be thinking of a different book.
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mikekle
Guest
Since we do believe scripture is inspired by the holy spirit, and there seems to be a big problem with people getting the ‘wrong message’, wouldnt the holy spirit actively try to ensure that changes or does not happen?
Its like modern authors, if its found a great many people are not getting the intended message, usually steps are taken to correct this, I would think when it comes to the bible, this would be especially important.
Its all well and good that we have the catechism, but this problem still persists, so it just seems to me the holy spirit should take action here in some way.
Its like modern authors, if its found a great many people are not getting the intended message, usually steps are taken to correct this, I would think when it comes to the bible, this would be especially important.
Its all well and good that we have the catechism, but this problem still persists, so it just seems to me the holy spirit should take action here in some way.
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Gorgias
Guest
I think he is. In 1975, John Hardon wrote a book called The Catholic Catechism: A Contemporary Catechism of the Teachings of the Catholic Church.Logical2:
It was written, assembled and edited by a committee of cardinals and bishops, with the help of many others. No one person "wrote " it. As it was initially written in French, I think you most be thinking of a different book.
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51TapxqF8NL.AC_US218.jpg
Logical2, we’re talking about the official catechism, commissioned by St. Pope John Paul II and published first in 1994:
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41CB0DMXW8L.AC_US218.jpg
This document, the Catechism of the Catholic Church is an official document of the Church (Hardon’s is not). In it, the Church describes her teachings.
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Wesrock
Guest
The Catechism is not revelation. It is a summary of the Church’s teaching on revelation. Revelation itself is the scriptures and the received apostolic tradition.
Because the Catechism is a summary of Church teaching, it is an excellent source for faith formation.
Because the Catechism is a summary of Church teaching, it is an excellent source for faith formation.
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Gorgias
Guest
We have to be a bit careful about how we say this, however. Non-Christians and non-Catholic Christians hear us saying this and think we’re saying that the Bible comes from the Church and not from God.
That’s not at all what we’re saying.
Catholics believe that God inspired human writers to compose the Scriptures. We also believe that Jesus instituted the Church and promised it protection (including protection against teaching errors), and so, through the Holy Spirit, it was the Catholic Church who compiled the Bible, determining which books were inspired and which were not.
So, we might more accurately say, “the Bible came from God, through the Church: the Church did not come from the Bible.” It’s not as catchy… but it expresses our viewpoint more accurately.
Hope that helps.
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