Test. Two quick questions -
- Without looking in the Catechism, what is the difference between:
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Incredulity;
Could not find definatiion in either the Catholic Dictionary or Merrian Webster?
Heresy;
Commonly refers to a doctrinal belief held in opposition to the recognized standards of an established system of thought. Theologically it means an opinion at variance with the authorized teachings of any church, notably the Christian, and especially when this promotes separation from the main body of faithful believers.
In the Roman Catholic Church, heresy has a very specific meaning. Anyone who, after receiving baptism, while remaining nominally a Christian, pertinaciously denies or doubts any of the truths that must be believed with divine and Catholic faith is considered a heretic. Accordingly four elements must be verified to constitute formal heresy; previous valid baptism, which need not have been in the Catholic Church; external profession of still being a Christian, otherwise a person becomes an apostate; outright denial or positive doubt regarding a truth that the Catholic Church has actually proposed as revealed by God; and the disbelief must be morally culpable, where a nominal Christian refuses to accept what he knows is a doctrinal imperative.
Objectively, therefore, to become a heretic in the strict canonical sense and be excommunicated from the faithful, one must deny or question a truth that is taught not merely on the authority of the Church but on the word of God revealed in the Scriptures or sacred tradition. Subjectively a person must recognize his obligation to believe. It he acts in good faith, as with most persons brought up in non-Catholic surroundings, the heresy is only material and implies neither guild nor sin against faith. (Etym. Latin haeresis, from the Greek hairesis, a taking, choice, sect, heresy.)
Schism;
Historic divisions in Christian unity. These divisions are differently appraised by different communions. From the Catholic standpoint, the divisions are not only schismatic but also doctrinal, even as regards the Oriental Christians who do not recognize the Roman primacy. Other churches vary in applying the term “schism” to ecclesiastical separatism. The Eastern Churches and certain Reformed and Lutheran bodies look upon the disunity as basically theological and therefore solvable only through dogmatic reconciliation, while the majority consider the divisions merely schismatic. In this theory, the reunion of Christianity primarily demands not change of belief by the exercise of charity, which is the antidote for schism and which can “make all things work together for good–even our divisions,” as expressed by the Commission on Faith and Order of the World Council of Churches
Apostasy ?
The total rejection by a baptized person of the Christian faith he once professed. The term is also applied in a technical sense to “apostates from religious life,” who without authorization leave a religious institute after perpetual vows with no intention of returning. (Etym. Latin apostasia, falling away or separation from God; from Greek apostasis, revolt, literally, a standing-off.)
- If you don’t know the difference, how will you recognize them ?
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