I stand corrected about the thread location. I would agree that a dictionary could not fully explain Trinitarian life any more than it could completely explain the word “Catholic.” However, it could still give a simple definition that would unlock the context. For example: Catholic adgective - pertaining to the form of Christianity practiced by the pope. obviously if you want to know more about the form of Christianity the pope practices you can read and speak to a lot more people and there is a huge amount of information you now can identify as pertaining to the question, "What is “Catholic”? If I know the definition of Trinitarian life, I can apply everything I read from Catholic sources to that definition and develop a cohesive knowledge about it. Otherwise, familiarity with the sound of the term creates an illusion of knowledge leading to the idea that it cannot be defined. Meaning, I am sorry TimothyH, but although you may know much about trinitarian life, you still don’t know what it is. That is a simple fact of the mechanics of reason.
I don’t mean to say you are ignorant or dumb in the least. But I think if you could boil down some of the big terms in Christianity, it would help you explain them to outsiders like me. your answer kind of makes it seem like its my fault for asking–which is not your intent.The phrase “Trinitarian Life” does not appear in the list on the link.
I did not intend to make it seem like you are wrong for asking. I have often thought that it would be nice for the Pope to get on TV or radio once in a while and explain a certain aspect of the faith very simply for regular people.I stand corrected about the thread location. I would agree that a dictionary could not fully explain Trinitarian life any more than it could completely explain the word “Catholic.” However, it could still give a simple definition that would unlock the context. For example: Catholic adgective - pertaining to the form of Christianity practiced by the pope. obviously if you want to know more about the form of Christianity the pope practices you can read and speak to a lot more people and there is a huge amount of information you now can identify as pertaining to the question, "What is “Catholic”? If I know the definition of Trinitarian life, I can apply everything I read from Catholic sources to that definition and develop a cohesive knowledge about it. Otherwise, familiarity with the sound of the term creates an illusion of knowledge leading to the idea that it cannot be defined. Meaning, I am sorry TimothyH, but although you may know much about trinitarian life, you still don’t know what it is. That is a simple fact of the mechanics of reason.
I have every confidence you have the best intentions and want to help. Having an evangelical missionary background I understand as well as anyone how easy it is to be misunderstood when trying to positively represent one’s beliefs to an outsider hoping they join you and are blessed for it. I also was able to use the website you suggested for other terms I was wondering about. So you have been helpful. Thank you.I did not intend to make it seem like you are wrong for asking. I have often thought that it would be nice for the Pope to get on TV or radio once in a while and explain a certain aspect of the faith very simply for regular people.
Other than that, I don’t know what else to say.
-Tim-
askdocta.com/living-a-trinitarian-life.html
I think you are right when you say that a person familiar with both books can better understand either. The Catechism references the Bible more than any other work but it references the writings of the Early Church Fathers, Doctors of the Church, encyclicals and other ancient texts.I have every confidence you have the best intentions and want to help. Having an evangelical missionary background I understand as well as anyone how easy it is to be misunderstood when trying to positively represent one’s beliefs to an outsider hoping they join you and are blessed for it. I also was able to use the website you suggested for other terms I was wondering about. So you have been helpful. Thank you.
Btw, I wonder if there is an indirect sense that the Catechism does explain the bible. The Catholic religion counts the bible as sacred scripture and the Catechism was written to teach Catholics the faith and practice of the church. It stands to reason, then that a person familiar with both books would be at an advantage understanding either. That is what I meant about the Catechism explaining the bible. I suppose, the bible explains the catechism in the same sense.