Joshua Bennett
Catholics regard Jesus as the Son of God, the Word made flesh who redeems humanity from sin. They believe that Jesus is both fully divine and fully human, and that he is the full and complete revelation of God. Catholics also believe in the Holy Trinity, with Jesus as the Second Person, and that Jesus is the Prince of Peace who reconciles humanity with God. While some Catholics may be hesitant to use the language of friendship or a relationship with Jesus, the Church has recently encouraged laypeople to engage with the Bible and connect with Jesus directly.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Jesus is the Son of God | Jesus is the Son of God, and the designation "Son" is wrapped up in a world of meaning. |
| Jesus is fully God | Catholics believe that Jesus is true God and true man. |
| Jesus is the Prince of Peace | Jesus reconciles humanity with God. |
| Jesus is the Second Person of the Trinity | Jesus is Lord over the universe and was present at the creation of the world. |
| Jesus is the source of all that is good | Catholics believe that receiving the Holy Spirit is receiving God, the source of all that is good. |
| Jesus is an example | Jesus is divine and God incarnate. |
| Jesus is a friend | Catholics have been uncomfortable using the language of "friendship" with Jesus, but this has been changing in recent decades. |
| Jesus is a living presence | Catholics have felt discomfort with thinking of Jesus as a living presence rather than a remote deity. |
| Jesus is the saviour | Jesus saves humanity from sin. |
| Jesus is the sacrifice | The Catholic Church does not believe in re-sacrificing Jesus in the Mass, but rather to re-present his sacrifice. |
| Jesus is the high priest | Jesus is the high priest of the new and eternal Covenant and is seated at the right hand of the Father. |
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What You'll Learn
Catholics believe Jesus is the Son of God and the Second Person of the Trinity
Catholics believe that Jesus is the Son of God. This is a fundamental part of Catholic teaching, and those who deny the divinity of Jesus are not considered Christian. The term "Son of God" is used to refer to Jesus in the Gospel of Mark at the beginning in verse 1:1 and at the end in chapter 15 verse 39. The concept of Jesus as the Son of God is also supported by the Nicene Creed, which states that the Holy Spirit is one with God the Father and God the Son (Jesus).
The Catholic Church defined the concept of the Trinity, which is not explicitly found in the Bible. The doctrine of the Trinity means that there is one God who exists in three distinct persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Each person is considered to be fully God, and while they are distinct in their relations to each other, they are of the same essence or nature. This is thought by Catholics to be the revelation regarding God's nature, which Jesus came to deliver to the world, and is the foundation of their belief system.
Jesus is considered to be the Second Person of the Trinity, with God the Father being the first and God the Holy Spirit being the third. The Second Person is passively generated by the First Person, and together with the First Person, spirates the Third Person. This is not a generative process but rather a spiration, derived from the Latin word for "spirit" or "breath". This is supported by the biblical reference in John 20:22, where Jesus "breathed on them and said to them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit...'".
Catholics believe that Jesus was both fully God and fully man, a concept that was challenged by a 4th-century heresy called Arianism, which taught that God created Jesus and that Jesus was neither truly human nor truly God. Catholics reject this idea and affirm the full divinity and humanity of Jesus, as supported by the New Testament.
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Jesus is God, true man, and the Son of Man
Catholics regard the Eucharist as the source and summit of Christian life. They believe that the bread and wine brought to the altar are transubstantiated into the true body, blood, soul, and divinity of Christ. This is based on the belief that Jesus is God, true man, and the Son of Man.
The belief that Jesus is God is central to Catholic theology. The Nicene Creed, a fundamental statement of Christian belief, asserts that Jesus is "God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God." This doctrine, known as the Trinity, maintains that God exists as three persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. Each person is distinct in their relations but equal in their divinity.
The belief that Jesus is true man is also fundamental in Catholic teaching. This belief rejects the heresy of Arianism, which taught that Jesus was not fully human and subordinate to God. By affirming the full humanity of Jesus, Catholics emphasize the importance of his earthly life and ministry, including his baptism, healings, and teachings.
Additionally, Catholics hold that Jesus is the Son of Man, a title he frequently used to refer to himself in the Gospels. This title has a double meaning, signifying both Jesus' humanity and his exalted role in the redemption of humanity. By using this title, Jesus identified with all humanity while also alluding to his divine nature and messianic prophecy.
In summary, Catholics believe that Jesus is God, true man, and the Son of Man. These beliefs form the foundation of Catholic theology and worship, shaping their understanding of salvation, grace, and the sacraments.
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Jesus is a living presence, not a remote deity
Catholics believe that Jesus is the Son of God, the "Son of Man", and the "Word made flesh". He is the full and complete revelation of God, making the invisible God visible and real. As the "Son of Man", Jesus is one of us, born of a woman, and like us in flesh and blood. He knows what it's like to be a human being, to experience the full range of human emotions, and to have human relationships. He also knows what it's like to grow up in a family, to make mistakes, and to leave home.
Jesus is believed to be God incarnate, and the second person of the Trinity. He is the Prince of Peace, the healer who reconciles humanity with God. He is also the source of all that is, the beginning and the end of everything. As such, Catholics believe that Jesus is a living presence, not a remote deity.
Historically, Catholics have not been as comfortable as some Protestants in using the language of "friendship" with Jesus, or even referring to a "relationship" with him. This may be changing, as the Catholic Church has encouraged laypeople to open their Bibles and encounter Jesus directly. However, some Catholics still struggle with the idea of Jesus as a "buddy", feeling that this does not align with the portrayal of Jesus in the gospels.
Despite these cultural and theological differences, many Catholics today do talk about having a personal relationship with Jesus. They believe that Jesus is always with them and that they can turn to him in prayer and worship.
In conclusion, Catholics view Jesus as a living presence in their lives, a divine being who is both God and human, and who understands the human experience intimately.
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Catholics revere Mary, the mother of Jesus, as a mediator between man and God
Catholics regard Jesus as the Son of God, and believe that he is the one who revealed God's nature to the world. They believe that Jesus is fully God and fully man, and that denying his divinity means one is not Christian. Catholics also believe that Jesus is the one and only mediator between God and man, and that salvation and grace are obtained only through him.
However, some Catholics also believe that Mary, the mother of Jesus, has a secondary mediating role. Mary is revered by Catholics, who believe that she was conceived without original sin and lived a sinless life. She is also known as the "New Eve", and is seen as having a singular dignity above the saints, receiving a higher level of veneration than all angelic spirits and blessed souls in heaven. The doctrine of the Immaculate Conception, taught by the Catholic Church, states that Mary was preserved by God from the lack of sanctifying grace from the first moment of her existence, and was instead filled with divine grace.
Mary is also referred to as the "Mediatrix" of All Graces and the Mother of the Church. Catholics pray to Mary, asking her to intercede for them, and she is seen as the cause of their salvation. The idea of Mary as a mediatrix arises from her cooperation in the Incarnation and the Redemption of mankind. By consenting to bring the saviour into the world, she made our redemption possible.
While some Christians outside the Catholic Church view Catholic Mariology as unbiblical and a denial of the uniqueness of Christ as a redeemer and mediator, Catholics do not see their reverence for Mary as diminishing Christ's role as mediator. Instead, they believe that their mediating efforts work only because of what Christ has done, and that their role as mediators glorifies the Father.
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The Eucharist is the Real Presence of Christ
Catholics regard the Eucharist as the source and summit of the Christian life. The Eucharist is a sacrament, and according to Catholic theology, the seven sacraments of the church were instituted by Christ and entrusted to the church. They are vehicles through which God's grace flows into the person who receives them.
The Eucharist is also known as the "Lord's Supper" or the "Last Supper". At Mass, Catholics believe they are responding to Jesus' command at the Last Supper to "do this in remembrance of me". The bread and wine brought to the altar are changed or transubstantiated, through the power of the Holy Spirit, into the true body, blood, soul, and divinity of Christ.
The Catholic Church declares that the presence of Christ in the Eucharist is true, real, and substantial. This means that Christ is present in the Eucharist, not merely symbolically or metaphorically, but in a true, real, and substantial way. This is in contrast to other Christian denominations, such as Lutheranism, which holds to the doctrine of "sacramental union", where "bread and body are two distinct substances".
The doctrine of the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist is based on the belief that Jesus is fully God and fully man. This belief is fundamental to Catholic teaching and is outlined in the Nicene Creed, which states that the Holy Spirit is one with God the Father and God the Son (Jesus). Thus, for Catholics, receiving the Holy Spirit is receiving God, and Jesus is God in human form.
The Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist is a central aspect of Catholic theology and worship, and it is through this sacrament that Catholics believe they have direct access to Christ.
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Frequently asked questions
Catholics believe that Jesus is the Son of God, the second person of the Trinity, and the Word made flesh. He is both fully divine and fully human, and through him, God is made visible to humanity.
Catholics traditionally have not been as comfortable as some Protestants in using intimate language to describe their relationship with Jesus. They may see him as an example or an acquaintance rather than a close friend. However, in recent decades, the Catholic Church has encouraged laypeople to engage with the Bible directly and develop a personal relationship with Jesus.
The Eucharist, or the Lord's Supper, is of utmost importance in Catholic theology. Catholics believe that during the Liturgy of the Eucharist, the bread and wine are transubstantiated into the true body and blood of Christ. This sacrament is seen as the Real Presence of Christ and a means of receiving God's grace.
