Jesus and God?

[seetee8]

Hi everyone,

(Sorry I’ve posted this on two forums, I realized this is the more appropriate one. Thanks)

I just have a few questions. The first is how do we know that Jesus is God? For example I understand he was a great prophet and up until now I have simply accepted the belief in the Trinity.

Secondly, as Catholics we do not take stories and parables from the old testament literally. For example Adam and Eve. However do we believe that people such as Noah and Elijah in the Old Testament were real? Is it simply the Genesis books that are not ‘literally true’ or the whole Old Testament.

Thirdly, Muslims believe the Koran was literally the word of God. As Catholics how do we know that some parts of the bible in the New Testament were not exaggerated? How was the Bible made and how do we know it is the word of God?

Serious answers only please.

 

[Joe_5859]

Hi everyone,

(Sorry I’ve posted this on two forums, I realized this is the more appropriate one. Thanks)

I just have a few questions. The first is how do we know that Jesus is God? For example I understand he was a great prophet and up until now I have simply accepted the belief in the Trinity.

Secondly, as Catholics we do not take stories and parables from the old testament literally. For example Adam and Eve. However do we believe that people such as Noah and Elijah in the Old Testament were real? Is it simply the Genesis books that are not ‘literally true’ or the whole Old Testament.

Thirdly, Muslims believe the Koran was literally the word of God. As Catholics how do we know that some parts of the bible in the New Testament were not exaggerated? How was the Bible made and how do we know it is the word of God?

Serious answers only please.

Welcome to CAF, seetee!

These are three BIG questions. I would recommend starting a separate thread for each of them, else it’s going to get really confusing.

The Apologetics forum would be the best place for these sorts of questions.

 

[Bookcat]

Hi everyone,

(Sorry I’ve posted this on two forums, I realized this is the more appropriate one. Thanks)

I just have a few questions. The first is how do we know that Jesus is God? For example I understand he was a great prophet and up until now I have simply accepted the belief in the Trinity.

Have only a moment here…but I will put forward a few things.

Divine Revelation…Both Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture…the voice of the Father…his word…his miracles…his resurrection…the Apostles who lived with him and who are witnesses of the resurrection…The Church then has passed on this witness through the ages…the virtue of Faith…the Holy Spirit …etc

also personally…via prayer…and experience of the sacraments…Sacred Scripture…the Church…encountering Christ.

Catechism:

vatican.va/archive/catechism/p1s2c2a2.htm#III

vatican.va/archive/catechism/p1s2c2a2.htm
vatican.va/archive/catechism/p122a5p2.htm

vatican.va/archive/catechism/p1s2c1p2.htm#II

 

[Bookcat]

Secondly, as Catholics we do not take stories and parables from the old testament literally. For example Adam and Eve. However do we believe that people such as Noah and Elijah in the Old Testament were real? Is it simply the Genesis books that are not ‘literally true’ or the whole Old Testament.

We do believe in Adam and Eve etc and we know that the Old Testament is ‘true’ …but that different parts are different kinds of writings…some poetry…some history (not like we now write it …like a textbook)…etc for example Genesis contains a lot of symbolic language…

vatican.va/archive/catechism/p1s2c1p4.htm#I

vatican.va/archive/catechism/p1s1c2a3.htm#II

 

[VisionaryOne]

1. Jesus is God and God is Jesus and in one with the Holy Spirit. They are three unique identical one entity. Like a son who can resemble his father but have different unique characteristics.
2. Parables from the old testaments are to be interpreted so as to understand the meaning. They happened and they were literally profound. Adam and Eve existed and the death of their first born son was a prophecy that Adam and Eve represent Joseph and Mary with Able representing Jesus always pleasing God. Hence the name Able. Cain, the first murderer, represents Satan who wanted to murder God and take over. Cain killed his brother which was Satan sending Christ to his death. the difference between Able and Christ is Jesus is God. Christ’s death and blood are perfect because his conception was like his mother Mary. Perfect. The Holy Trinity triumphed. For Noah and Elijah, you must read books written by Roman Catholics as they have an enormous wealth of knowledge untouched by many.
3. The Koran is the Bible turned upside down. That is all you need to know about it. Do not venture off going to read it because the words used inside are unclean and will very easily influence those seeking answers as well as incite anger inside of you. It can make you become short tempered always seeking revenge. Read the bible and pray to the Holy Trinity through the heart of the blessed mother Mary. God will not abandon you.

 

[JRKH]

Hi everyone,

(Sorry I’ve posted this on two forums, I realized this is the more appropriate one. Thanks)

Many good questions - any one of which could be (and has been) it’s own thread.
To avoid confusion you might want to contact a moderator and have the duplicate threads combined.

I just have a few questions. The first is how do we know that Jesus is God? For example I understand he was a great prophet and up until now I have simply accepted the belief in the Trinity.

First of all, Read the Gospels “The Father and I are One…”, In the beginning was the Word… and the word became flesh…"
Secondly, we can never fully understand the Trinity. It is beyond our abilities to comprehend. We rely on “The Church”, the Pillar and bulwark of Truth (1 Tim 3:15), founded by Christ Himself (Mt 16: 17-19) and endowed with His authority (Mt 28: 18-20) to properly guide us in these matters.

Secondly, as Catholics we do not take stories and parables from the old testament literally. For example Adam and Eve. However do we believe that people such as Noah and Elijah in the Old Testament were real? Is it simply the Genesis books that are not ‘literally true’ or the whole Old Testament.

I don’t know if this is entirely accurate. Many Catholics do accept the Genesis accounts and people.
As for the rest of the OT, much of it is historical in nature, recounting Jewish history. Much is prophetic and points to Jesus. So there are certainly many parts of the OT that are “literally true”.

Thirdly, Muslims believe the Koran was literally the word of God. As Catholics how do we know that some parts of the bible in the New Testament were not exaggerated? How was the Bible made and how do we know it is the word of God?

This is why we rely on The Church and not on The Bible Alone to authenticate itself. Any book will be self authenticating. It’s only common sense.
How the Church assembled the Bible is a long story. Here is an article.
Where we Got the Bible
It is a long article, but there are links within it that might make reading easier. Basically The church determined the canon by council in the late 300’s AD.
As I said earlier we know because of The Church, founded and protected by Christ declares it so.
Perhaps others can provide you with greater detail.

Serious answers only please.

I hope these answers are satisfactory.

Peace
James

 

[Bookcat]

Thirdly, Muslims believe the Koran was literally the word of God. As Catholics how do we know that some parts of the bible in the New Testament were not exaggerated? How was the Bible made and how do we know it is the word of God?

Serious answers only please.

Yes the Bible is the Word of God…but we do not have the same belief as Muslims as to what that means…

Sorry for more homework…but really all the links i have been giving are what you are seeking…

vatican.va/archive/catechism/p1s1c2a1.htm

vatican.va/archive/catechism/p1s1c2a2.htm

vatican.va/archive/catechism/p1s1c2a3.htm

serious answers only

 

[Bookcat]

vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/messages/urbi/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20090412_urbi-easter_en.html