The Complexity of the Catholic Faith

[Sherlock]

One thing to point out is that a truly universal theology has to be just that—truly universal. This is true intellectually as well as geographically: the faith must be satisfying and comprehensible to the child or uneducated peasant as well as to the person who is gifted with intellectual brilliance. Catholicism offers this–we have saints ranging from the little kids at Fatima to giants like Aquinas. Now that’s universality!

I think of the story of Alex Guinness’s conversion: he was walking down a street dressed as a priest (he was playing one in a movie, and so was in his “work clothes”), when a little boy shouted, “Mon Pere!”, grabbed him by the hand, and walked down the street with him, chattering on in French. Guinness was so struck by this that he began to look into Catholicism. So, some are brought to Catholicism by the simple faith of a child, and some by the writings of the brilliant theologians and writers. This is exactly what one would expect to find in Christ’s Church.

 

[CD4]

Apologia100:

If I am not mistaken, it took Jesus 3 years of working with the Apostles every day, day in - day out, until they “got it”. Do you think the average person can figure it all out in less time with less effort?

Hmmmm…I never thought of this…Good point.

Having said that, I have to also say that the fact that there is always something more to learn about the Catholic faith is what I like about it. The learning and the deepening of one’s Catholic Spirituality will never end! Not 'till we see the Lord face to face…

 

[Seeking_Wisdom]

Didi:

I remember hearing a convert talk about his appreciation for his evangelical upbringing. While he didn’t have the whole truth, he had what he considered a beautiful painting by a master. When he started studying the Catholic faith, however, he found not that he had one painting, but had an entire museum full of beautiful masterpieces!

Just as one can contemplate a single painting for minutes or for hours, we can contemplate our faith for a few moments or for a lifetime and never see and understand all there is within our faith!

What a beautiful illustration!

I guess it’s also true that the simplest person can be moved by a work of art or by a museum full of such works. And sometimes when we try to disect and overanalyze we overlook the beauty of the masterpiece. You don’t have to understand something to love and appreciate it.

 

[White_Knight]

I personally love the complexity of the Catholic faith. Being a Christian (especially Catholic) was never supposed to be an easy thing, but the complexity of the faith serves as a testament to the truth. As complex as the faith is, it doesn’t ever contradict itself…which is a lot more than most Protestants can say about their own denominations.

 

[Antonio_B]

Seeking Wisdom,

       There are many different types of Catholics. Some are "devotional," some are "intellectual" in their approach to the Faith, and some are outright lazy when it comes to nurturing knowledge of their faith.

       I'm the kind that could not understand my faith without an intellectual approach to it. My wife, on the other hand, just knows the basics, is happy going to Mass and receiving the Eucharist, and praying the Rosary once in a while, but I could not possibly discuss with her the theological implications of the Summa Theologicae of St. Thomas Aquinas in the life of the Church. She would probably say to me, "Say what?"

Antonio B

 

[VociMike]

I think I might substitute the word “depth” for "complexity." This is what is so truly beautiful about our Catholic faith!

Indeed, I was going to say “richness” rather than “complexity”. Like all of God’s creations, the Church contains layer after layer of surprise and beauty.

 

[CD4]

VociMike:

Indeed, I was going to say “richness” rather than “complexity”. Like all of God’s creations, the Church contains layer after layer of surprise and beauty.

**Yes…“Richness” is the right word. I feel, after nearly twenty years as a Catholic that I am just getting through those outer layers! **