The Early Church: If They Weren't Catholic, What Were They?

[Anna_Scott]

What part of the NT gave you the impression that hell was not “literal”?

guanophore,

I can’t tell you that I know exactly what hell is, other than to say that it is separation from God. I can tell you that I don’t believe it is a literal fiery torment.

I think we have to consider more than a few N.T. passages in understanding hell. The O.T. certainly does not speak of a fiery torment. Interpretation of the N.T. passages is often filtered through the lens of Greek mythology. The Greek mythological god Hades, considered ruler of the underworld, has had a tremendous influence on views of hell. Even the word Lucifer became a name for Satan outside the Biblical text.

Consider the words of Benedict XVI quoted in the the following two articles. Notice in the first article, “Vatican Officials” clarified the Pope’s words, saying, "Hell is a ‘state of eternal separation from God’, to be understood “symbolically rather than physically.” Emphasis is mine throughout.

From The Times
March 27, 2007
The fires of Hell are real and eternal, Pope warns
Richard Owen in Rome

Hell is a place where sinners really do burn in an everlasting fire, and not just a religious symbol designed to galvanise the faithful, the Pope has said.

Addressing a parish gathering in a northern suburb of Rome, Benedict XVI said that in the modern world many people, including some believers, had forgotten that if they failed to “admit blame and promise to sin no more”, they risked “eternal damnation — the Inferno”.

Hell “really exists and is eternal, even if nobody talks about it much any more”, he said." . . . .

. . . .Vatican officials said that the Pope — who is also the Bishop of Rome — had been speaking in “straightfoward” language “like a parish priest”. He had wanted to reinforce the new Catholic catechism, which holds that Hell is a “state of eternal separation from God”, to be understood “symbolically rather than physically”. . . . .

Link: timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article1572646.ece

Interesting title, “What the Pope really said about Hell.”

Catholic News Agency (CNA)
What the Pope really said about Hell

Feb 11, 2008 / 01:46 pm (CNA).- At Pope Benedict XVI’s question and answer session with priests from his diocese last Thursday. . .

. . . . .Pope Benedict speculated that the condemned might not be numerous, describing how thoroughly they would have to have destroyed themselves:

“Perhaps there are not so many who have destroyed themselves so completely, who are irreparable forever, who no longer have any element upon which the love of God can rest, who no longer have the slightest capacity to love within themselves. This would be hell.” .

This is the link to the full text, from Thursday, 7 February 2008, found through the Vatican website.

**MEETING WITH THE PARISH PRIESTS AND THE CLERGY
OF THE DIOCESE OF ROME

ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI**

Hall of Blessings
Thursday, 7 February 2008

**. . . . .I tried to say: perhaps those who have destroyed themselves in this way, who are for ever unredeemable, who no longer possess any elements on which God’s love can rest, who no longer have a minimal capacity for loving, may not be so numerous. This would be Hell. . . . .
**
Link: vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/speeches/2008/february/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20080207_clergy-rome_en.html

As I said before, Pope John Paul II did not believe in a literal fiery torment. I’ll post his words again.

I encourage all to be read in full context. Links are provided for all.
**
continued next post**

Anna

 

[Anna_Scott]

Continued to guanophore

(Emphasis is mine.)

HEAVEN, HELL AND PURGATORY
Pope John Paul II

Hell is the State of Those who Reject God

At the General Audience of Wednesday, 28 July 1999, the Holy Father reflected on hell as the definitive rejection of God. In his catechesis, the Pope said that care should be taken to interpret correctly the images of hell in Sacred Scripture, and explained that “hell is the ultimate consequence of sin itself… Rather than a place, hell indicates the state of those who freely and definitively separate themselves from God, the source of all life and joy”.

1. God is the infinitely good and merciful Father. But man, called to respond to him freely, can unfortunately choose to reject his love and forgiveness once and for all, thus separating himself for ever from joyful communion with him. It is precisely this tragic situation that Christian doctrine explains when it speaks of eternal damnation or hell. **It is not a punishment imposed externally by God **but a development of premises already set by people in this life. The very dimension of unhappiness which this obscure condition brings can in a certain way be sensed in the light of some of the terrible experiences we have suffered which, as is commonly said, make life “hell”.

In a theological sense however, hell is something else: it is the ultimate consequence of sin itself, which turns against the person who committed it. It is the state of those who definitively reject the Father’s mercy, even at the last moment of their life.
Hell is a state of eternal damnation

1. To describe this reality **Sacred Scripture uses a symbolical language **which will gradually be explained. In the Old Testament the condition of the dead had not yet been fully disclosed by Revelation. Moreover it was thought that the dead were amassed in Sheol, a land of darkness (cf. Ez. 28:8; 31:14; Jb. 10:21f.; 38:17; Ps 30:10; 88:7, 13), a pit from which one cannot reascend (cf. Jb. 7:9), a place in which it is impossible to praise God (cf. Is 38:18; Ps 6:6).

The New Testament sheds new light on the condition of the dead, proclaiming above all that Christ by his Resurrection conquered death and extended his liberating power to the kingdom of the dead.

Redemption nevertheless remains an offer of salvation which it is up to people to accept freely. This is why they will all be judged “by what they [have done]” (Rv 20:13). By using images, the New Testament presents the place destined for evildoers as a fiery furnace, where people will “weep and gnash their teeth” (Mt 13:42; cf. 25:30, 41), or like Gehenna with its “unquenchable fire” (Mk 9:43). All this is narrated in the parable of the rich man, which explains that hell is a place of eternal suffering, with no possibility of return, nor of the alleviation of pain (cf. Lk. 16:19-3 1).
The Book of Revelation also figuratively portrays in a “pool of fire” those who exclude themselves from the book of life, thus meeting with a “second death” (Rv. 20:13f.). Whoever continues to be closed to the Gospel is therefore preparing for 'eternal destruction and exclusion from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might" (2 Thes 1:9).

1. *The images of hell that Sacred Scripture presents to us must be correctly interpreted. They show the complete frustration and emptiness of life without God. Rather than a place, hell indicates the state of those who freely and definitively separate themselves from God, the source of all life and joy. **This is how the Catechism of the Catholic Church summarizes the truths of faith on this subject: “To die in mortal sin without repenting and accepting God’s merciful love means remaining separated from him for ever by our own free choice. This state of definitive self-exclusion from communion with God and the blessed is called ‘hell’” (n. 1033).

**“Eternal damnation”, therefore, is not attributed to God’s initiative because in his merciful love he can only desire the salvation of the beings he created. **In reality, it is the creature who closes himself to his love. Damnation consists precisely in definitive separation from God, freely chosen by the human person and confirmed with death that seals his choice for ever. God’s judgement ratifies this state.

We are saved from going to hell by Jesus who conquered Satan

1. Christian faith teaches that in taking the risk of saying “yes” or “no”, which marks the human creature’s freedom, some have already said no. They are the spiritual creatures that rebelled against God’s love and are called demons (cf. Fourth Lateran Council, DS 800-801). What happened to them is a warning to us: it is a continuous call to avoid the tragedy which leads to sin and to conform our life to that of Jesus who lived his life with a “yes” to God.

Eternal damnation remains a real possibility, but we are not granted, without special divine revelation, the knowledge of whether or which human beings are effectively involved in it. The thought of hell — and even less the improper use of biblical images — must not create anxiety or despair, but is a necessary and healthy reminder of freedom within the proclamation that the risen Jesus has conquered Satan, giving us the, Spirit of God who makes us cry “Abba, Father!” (Rm. 8:15; Gal. 4:6).

This prospect, rich in hope, prevails in Christian proclamation. It is effectively reflected in the liturgical tradition of the Church, as the words of the Roman Canon attest: “Father, accept this offering from your whole family … save us from final damnation, and count us among those you have chosen”.

Provided Courtesy of:
Eternal Word Television Network
5817 Old Leeds Road
Irondale, AL 35210
www.ewtn.com​

I don’t believe the fires of hell are literal.
Anna

 

[Anna_Scott]

No, it is not conjecture at all. Jesus taught that hell exists outside of our space/time continuum, so it is more appropriately referred to as a “state” than a “place”. Our minds, being largely confined to the place-time continuum, tend to materialze eternal realities, but heaven, hell, and purgatory are not confined to our physical existence. I think part of the problem we have in these types of discussions is the erroneous thinking that "literal’ is equivalent to tangible reality, where as the vast majority of what is “real” is not within our tangible reality.

Well said.

Anna

 

[crazzeto]

Personally I like Cardinal Newman’s view, to paraphrase:

Don’t you know everyone will go to the same place? It’ll be just like the Mass, some people will love it, some people will hate it

Of course that was a little tounge in cheek… Though a close study of revelation shows Judgment being much like this, when the wine presses of Gods wrath are pressed, and the wine flows all the earth will be flooded like in the flood. All will drink of Gods wrath, but the richtous have a markedly different expereince.

 

[Anna_Scott]

I went to the library and studied everything they had.

Save some $$$.

I do that too; but I love to own good books. I think it’s an addiction at this point. lol

Anna

 

[Anna_Scott]

Personally I like Cardinal Newman’s view, to paraphrase:

Don’t you know everyone will go to the same place? It’ll be just like the Mass, some people will love it, some people will hate it

Of course that was a little tounge in cheek… Though a close study of revelation shows Judgment being much like this, when the wine presses of Gods wrath are pressed, and the wine flows all the earth will be flooded like in the flood. All will drink of Gods wrath, but the richtous have a markedly different expereince.

Crazzeto,

Revelation is an intriguing Book. I have read some commentaries saying that Satan and his Demons will indeed suffer the literal fiery torment. It’s a tough subject. I really don’t think we can really know all that much about the afterlife. The core of the Gospel concentrates on serving God and others. I think we have our hands full with this.

Anna

Edited to Add P.S.
Scott Hahn’s “The Lamb’s Supper,” contains one of the most interesting commentaries on Revelation.

 

[crazzeto]

Crazzeto,

Revelation is an intriguing Book. I have read some commentaries saying that Satan and his Demons will indeed suffer the literal fiery torment. It’s a tough subject. I really don’t think we can really know all that much about the afterlife. The core of the Gospel concentrates on serving God and others. I think we have our hands full with this.

Anna

Dr. Hahn has a terrific study on the matter, unfortunetly for practical purposes you can’t buy it. It’s from CSS and their pricing structure excludes individual study, it’s parish/group based.

That said, you can gain a wealth of information from the Rev. Haydock commentary! Fortunetly this is one you need not spend a dime on! Have you downloaded esword yet? If not do so (google esword), then find “e-sword-forums.com” (I think), create an account, then do a search of those forums for “Haydock commentary”, download and install that, and perhaps a Douay Rheims bible to go with it.

Revelation is a wonderful, but wonderfully complex book. Literally, it is the whole of salvation history condenced!

 

[Anna_Scott]

Dr. Hahn has a terrific study on the matter, unfortunetly for practical purposes you can’t buy it. It’s from CSS and their pricing structure excludes individual study, it’s parish/group based.

That said, you can gain a wealth of information from the Rev. Haydock commentary! Fortunetly this is one you need not spend a dime on! Have you downloaded esword yet? If not do so (google esword), then find “e-sword-forums.com” (I think), create an account, then do a search of those forums for “Haydock commentary”, download and install that, and perhaps a Douay Rheims bible to go with it.

Revelation is a wonderful, but wonderfully complex book. Literally, it is the whole of salvation history condenced!

I’ll check it out. Thanks.

Anna

 

[beehumble]

One thing we must acknowledge is that the Protestants would be correct in saying that the earliest Christians believed in Millenialism. Look at Sts. Justin Martyr and Irenaeus.

Some believed in it, many did not. One cannot deduce the belief and teaching of the Church proper (today the word magesterium would be used here for what I mean by ‘the Church proper’) from writings of some of its members.

 

[Bluegoat]

Okay, I’m willing to be persuaded. Book, chapter and verse where Jesus taught that hell exists outside our space/time continuum.

CCC 632 teaches that Christ “joined the others in the realm of the dead.” A ‘realm’ is a place, not a state of being.

CCC 633 calls hell an ‘abode.’ An abode is a place, specifically a place of residence…a place where one abides and is located. Further, “…[Christ] descended into hell.” ‘Descend’ implies direction. One doesn’t descent to a state, one descends to a place. As I understand English, anyway.

‘Gehenna’ is a place. Why are the allusions to ‘fiery torment’ which Jesus mentions more than once, necessary if hell is a state of being? ‘Fiery torment’ is physical. If you and JPII are right, the Lord deliberately caused confusion. I don’t think so.

I’d also like to know what support you have for what you allege in your last sentence above beginning, “I think part of the problem we have…”

Time and space are part of the created universe. Purgatory, Heaven, and Hell, are not part of the universe. So they are not part of time either. They could, I suppose, be part of some other universe with time and space, but that seems superfluous, since the souls are immaterial and don’t require a “place” anyway.

Unfortunately, human language does not really have words for talking about places that are outside of space, and things which exist outside of time. So we are left with inadequate words. Most of us can’t really imagine what would be involved in non-spacial eternal proximity to God. So we are left with using words like “state” or “realm,” neither of which is really correct.

 

[GKC]

Time and space are part of the created universe. Purgatory, Heaven, and Hell, are not part of the universe. So they are not part of time either. They could, I suppose, be part of some other universe with time and space, but that seems superfluous, since the souls are immaterial and don’t require a “place” anyway.

Unfortunately, human language does not really have words for talking about places that are outside of space, and things which exist outside of time. So we are left with inadequate words. Most of us can’t really imagine what would be involved in non-spacial eternal proximity to God. So we are left with using words like “state” or “realm,” neither of which is really correct.

I agree.

GKC

 

[CHESTERTONRULES]

Dr. Hahn has a terrific study on the matter, unfortunetly for practical purposes you can’t buy it. It’s from CSS and their pricing structure excludes individual study, it’s parish/group based.

That said, you can gain a wealth of information from the Rev. Haydock commentary! Fortunetly this is one you need not spend a dime on! Have you downloaded esword yet? If not do so (google esword), then find “e-sword-forums.com” (I think), create an account, then do a search of those forums for “Haydock commentary”, download and install that, and perhaps a Douay Rheims bible to go with it.

Revelation is a wonderful, but wonderfully complex book. Literally, it is the whole of salvation history condenced!

Scott Hahn’s book The Lamb’s Supper is a great book relating Revelation to the mass.

Much of the Catholic liturgy is taken from Revelation.

 

[Anna_Scott]

Crazzeto,

Revelation is an intriguing Book. I have read some commentaries saying that Satan and his Demons will indeed suffer the literal fiery torment. It’s a tough subject. I really don’t think we can really know all that much about the afterlife. The core of the Gospel concentrates on serving God and others. I think we have our hands full with this.

Anna

Edited to Add P.S.
Scott Hahn’s “The Lamb’s Supper,” contains one of the most interesting commentaries on Revelation.

Scott Hahn’s book The Lamb’s Supper is a great book relating Revelation to the mass.

Much of the Catholic liturgy is taken from Revelation.

CHESTERTONRULES,

I’ve read “The Lamb’s Supper” several times, and still want to read it again. Great book and gives the best commentary on Revelation I’ve seen.

Anna

 

[crazzeto]

CHESTERTONRULES,

I’ve read “The Lamb’s Supper” several times, and still want to read it again. Great book and gives the best commentary on Revelation I’ve seen.

Anna

It should be, he spent 20 yrs on it!

Edit
Though speaking of the study, there were some aspects of the “old school” thought on Revelation I personally prefer to Dr. Hahns thoughts. But at the same time with regard to other area’s I prefer Hahn. Ultimatly I think Hahn’s thoughts are very complamentary to the traditional Catholic view.

 

[Anna_Scott]

. . . .Anyone who dies in an unrepentant state of mortal sin will burn in hell. Don’t take my word for that. You can consult the Gospels.

In one of her appearances at Fatima, the Blessed Virgin Mary showed the children a literal, physical burning as an eternal torment. Do I believe it? Let’s just say I’m not prepared to deny it. There are a lot of very hot spots out there in the universe and the Lord said what He said.

The Church teaches a literal hell as a place of eternal punishment for the damned. I believe it exists, whatever its form.

Yes, I disagree with Pope John Paul II. My sources are the Scripture passages cited by the Pope and the account of the Blessed Mother’s appearance at Fatima, which the Pope failed to mention. His statement that hell is not a place is pure conjecture. There isn’t a word in Scripture to support it.

. . . . .In ferde Rombola’s case, it seems his “private interpretation” of Scripture trumps the interpretation of Pope John Paul II. This is confusing, since Catholics criticize Protestants for “private interpretation.” It’s a regular occurrence on the forums. I’m not saying this as a “gotcha” kind of thing. I’m just getting confusing signals.

. . . .My disagreement with the Pope’s opinion does not mean the Catholic Church is wrong about anything. You really ought to study the Catholic faith a little before jumping to the conclusions you seem eager to express. I understand you’re asking questions, but some are rhetorical and seriously uninformed.

CCC 632 et seq.

. . . . My disagreement with JPII involves opinion, not dogma. I do not declare myself right, as protestant private interpreters do. I merely say I disagree with another Catholic about the properties of Hell. . . .

. . . .You asked for the Church’s teaching on hell. I directed you to the relevant section in the Catechism. Guess you missed it. Or you’re not really interested in the answers to your questions, which you indicate by asking the same questions over and over again after the answer has been given to you a dozen times.

Well, at least I am in good company. According to your statement, Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI missed that teaching on hell, too.

Oh really? Do you even know what it is??

Ferde Rombola,

I apologize for not responding to CCC 632 et seq. The oversight was not intentional.

CCC 632 is not about the “fires of hell.”

CCC 632 The frequent New Testament affirmations that Jesus was “raised from the dead” presuppose that the crucified one sojourned in the realm of the dead prior to his resurrection.478 This was the first meaning given in the apostolic preaching to Christ’s descent into hell: that Jesus, like all men, experienced death and in his soul joined the others in the realm of the dead. But he descended there as Savior, proclaiming the Good News to the spirits imprisoned there.479

From “Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition.”
Link: scborromeo.org/ccc/p123a12.htm#1056

PART ONE, THE PROFESSION OF FAITH
SECTION TWO, THE PROFESSION OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH
CHAPTER THREE, I BELIEVE IN THE HOLY SPIRIT

ARTICLE 12
“I BELIEVE IN LIFE EVERLASTING”

IV. HELL

1033 We cannot be united with God unless we freely choose to love him. But we cannot love God if we sin gravely against him, against our neighbor or against ourselves: “He who does not love remains in death. Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.”**612 **Our Lord warns us that we shall be separated from him if we fail to meet the serious needs of the poor and the little ones who are his brethren.613 **To die in mortal sin without repenting and accepting God’s merciful love means remaining separated from him for ever by our own free choice. This state of definitive self-exclusion from communion with God and the blessed is called “hell.” **

In CCC, there are references to “eternal fire,” but if you read on, hell is defined as something different.

Hell is described as ***To die in mortal sin without repenting and accepting God’s merciful love means remaining separated from him for ever by our own free choice. This state of definitive self-exclusion from communion with God and the blessed is called “hell”
*** and eternal death" (GCD 69), also called "hell.

1035 The teaching of the Church affirms the existence of hell and its eternity. Immediately after death the souls of those who die in a state of mortal sin descend into hell, where they suffer the punishments of hell, "eternal fire."617 The chief punishment of hell is eternal separation from God, in whom alone man can possess the life and happiness for which he was created and for which he longs.

1056 Following the example of Christ, the Church warns the faithful of the “sad and lamentable reality of eternal death" (GCD 69), also called "hell.”

1057 Hell’s principal punishment consists of eternal separation from God in whom alone man can have the life and happiness for which he was created and for which he longs.

Again, John Paul II and Pope Pope Benedict XVI describe the fires of hell as symbolic; and I agree.

Post #685 Pope Benedict XVI quotes

Post #686 Pope John Paul II

Anna

 

[Ferde_Rombola]

Time and space are part of the created universe. Purgatory, Heaven, and Hell, are not part of the universe. So they are not part of time either. They could, I suppose, be part of some other universe with time and space, but that seems superfluous, since the souls are immaterial and don’t require a “place” anyway.

Unfortunately, human language does not really have words for talking about places that are outside of space, and things which exist outside of time. So we are left with inadequate words. Most of us can’t really imagine what would be involved in non-spacial eternal proximity to God. So we are left with using words like “state” or “realm,” neither of which is really correct.

That sounds great, but what it means is you can’t defend your position. What you wrote is conjecture. How do you know purgatory, heaven and hell are not part of the universe? I’m not saying they are, but I don’t think you can defend that, either.

 

[Bluegoat]

That sounds great, but what it means is you can’t defend your position. What you wrote is conjecture. How do you know purgatory, heaven and hell are not part of the universe? I’m not saying they are, but I don’t think you can defend that, either.

Do you want to be Catholic, or a proof-texting Protestant? Augustine makes it clear that time is part of the created universe, as does Thomas. And surely you are not saying the soul is a material thing?

I had a university prof who had footnotes that said things like "See “The Republic”. I kind of feel this question is like “See Christian theology for the past 2000 years”.

So no, I’m not going to look it up for you and find proof-texts, that sounds like an entirely horrible way to spend such a hot evening. I am going to drink a g&t and read Vogue, I think.

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

Talk about a waste of an evening or any part of the day–Vogue! LOL

Do you want to be Catholic, or a proof-texting Protestant? Augustine makes it clear that time is part of the created universe, as does Thomas. And surely you are not saying the soul is a material thing?

I had a university prof who had footnotes that said things like "See “The Republic”. I kind of feel this question is like “See Christian theology for the past 2000 years”.

So no, I’m not going to look it up for you and find proof-texts, that sounds like an entirely horrible way to spend such a hot evening. I am going to drink a g&t and read Vogue, I think.

 

[Ferde_Rombola]

Do you want to be Catholic, or a proof-texting Protestant? Augustine makes it clear that time is part of the created universe, as does Thomas. And surely you are not saying the soul is a material thing?

How is asking you to defend your assertions proof-texting? How did the soul enter this discussion? My experience on these boards is, when someone has nothing to say, he changes the subject.

I had a university prof who had footnotes that said things like "See “The Republic”. I kind of feel this question is like “See Christian theology for the past 2000 years”.

You went to college??

So no, I’m not going to look it up for you and find proof-texts, that sounds like an entirely horrible way to spend such a hot evening. I am going to drink a g&t and read Vogue, I think.

I didn’t ask you to except to the extent of your remarks. If your style of debating is to allege things off the top of your head and not back them up you won’t be taken seriously.

 

[Anna_Scott]

Time and space are part of the created universe. Purgatory, Heaven, and Hell, are not part of the universe. So they are not part of time either. They could, I suppose, be part of some other universe with time and space, but that seems superfluous, since the souls are immaterial and don’t require a “place” anyway.

Unfortunately, human language does not really have words for talking about places that are outside of space, and things which exist outside of time. So we are left with inadequate words. Most of us can’t really imagine what would be involved in non-spacial eternal proximity to God. So we are left with using words like “state” or “realm,” neither of which is really correct.

Bluegoat,

I agree.

That sounds great, but what it means is you can’t defend your position. What you wrote is conjecture. How do you know purgatory, heaven and hell are not part of the universe? I’m not saying they are, but I don’t think you can defend that, either.

Ferde,

The CCC does actually give support for Bluegoat’s post. It speaks of Christ’s “authentic, real body” possessing “new properties of a glorious body: not limited by space and time but able to be present how and when he wills.”

CCC goes on to say that Christ’s humanity can no longer be confined to earth, and belongs henceforth only to the Father’s divine realm.

Clearly, the “Father’s divine realm” is not part of our universe or part of our space and time.

We share in the hope “by the gift of grace” that “adoptive filiation gains us a real share in the life of the only Son, which was fully revealed in his Resurrection.”

CCC (Emphasis is mine.)

Paragraph 2. On the Third Day He Rose from the Dead

645 By means of touch and the sharing of a meal, the risen Jesus establishes direct contact with his disciples. He invites them in this way to recognize that he is not a ghost and above all to verify that the risen body in which he appears to them is the same body that had been tortured and crucified, for it still bears the traces of his Passion.509 Yet at the same time this authentic, real body possesses the new properties of a glorious body: not limited by space and time but able to be present how and when he wills; for Christ’s humanity can no longer be confined to earth, and belongs henceforth only to the Father’s divine realm. 510 For this reason too the risen Jesus enjoys the sovereign freedom of appearing as he wishes: in the guise of a gardener or in other forms familiar to his disciples, precisely to awaken their faith.511

646 Christ’s Resurrection was not a return to earthly life, as was the case with the raisings from the dead that he had performed before Easter: Jairus’ daughter, the young man of Naim, Lazarus. These actions were miraculous events, but the persons miraculously raised returned by Jesus’ power to ordinary earthly life. At some particular moment they would die again. Christ’s Resurrection is essentially different. In his risen body he passes from the state of death to another life beyond time and space. At Jesus’ Resurrection his body is filled with the power of the Holy Spirit: he shares the divine life in his glorious state, so that St. Paul can say that Christ is “the man of heaven”.512

654 The Paschal mystery has two aspects: by his death, Christ liberates us from sin; by his Resurrection, he opens for us the way to a new life. This new life is above all justification that reinstates us in God’s grace, "so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."526 Justification consists in both victory over the death caused by sin and a new participation in grace.527 It brings about filial adoption so that men become Christ’s brethren, as Jesus himself called his disciples after his Resurrection: "Go and tell my brethren."528 We are brethren not by nature, but by the gift of grace, because that adoptive filiation gains us a real share in the life of the only Son, which was fully revealed in his Resurrection.

PART ONE, THE PROFESSION OF FAITH
SECTION TWO, THE PROFESSION OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH
CHAPTER TWO
I BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST, THE ONLY SON OF GOD
ARTICLE 5
"HE DESCENDED INTO HELL. ON THE THIRD DAY HE ROSE AGAIN"
Link: scborromeo.org/ccc/p122a5p2.htm#646

Anna