Grace Thompson
Catholic doctrine is the understanding of Catholic teachings, which are based on canonical scripture and sacred tradition, as interpreted by the Catholic Church's magisterium. The Church's teachings are summarised in catechisms, such as the Nicene Creed, and the Apostles' Creed. The Church's doctrine is considered unchangeable, and unchanging, but history has shown that changes do occur, such as the reversal of the Church's teaching on the death penalty, and the rejection of the doctrine of limbo. The development of doctrine is often in response to attempts to change it, and doctrine is also influenced by society's changing norms.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nature of God | God is three persons in one divine nature: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Each person is distinct in their relations but equal in their divinity. |
| Salvation | Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, sinful humans can be reconciled to God and offered salvation and eternal life in heaven. |
| Scripture | The Bible is considered the inspired word of God, and the Catholic Church has defined and preserved its canon. |
| Tradition | The living transmission of the Word of God, distinct from but closely tied to Scripture, infuses the life of the Church and comprises the deposit of the Word of God. |
| Sacraments | The seven sacraments include baptism, confirmation, Eucharist, penance, anointing of the sick, holy orders, and matrimony. |
| Grace | Grace from God is necessary for repentance and belief in the gospel. The Catholic Church teaches the necessity of free will to cooperate with grace. |
| Saints | Saints are holy men and women who have come before and are believed to intercede for the living through prayer. Mary, as the mother of God and the Church, is honoured as the first among the saints. |
| Priesthood | Priestly celibacy is a discipline, not a doctrine. The Church teaches that it has no authority to confer priestly ordination on women. |
| Moral Teachings | Moral teachings can evolve over time as they are influenced by changing societal norms. For example, the Church's teaching on the death penalty and suicide has shifted. |
| Governance | The Catholic Church is governed by the pope, who holds legislative, executive, and judicial power, and diocesan bishops directly appointed by him. |
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What You'll Learn
The Bible as the inspired word of God
The Bible is considered to be the inspired word of God, or "God-breathed", in Catholic doctrine. This belief is based on the concept of biblical infallibility and the internal consistency of the Bible. The idea is that God divinely influenced the human authors of the Scriptures, resulting in their writings being designated as the word of God. This view is often referred to as "verbal plenary inspiration", which means that the inspiration extends beyond concepts or ideas to the very words themselves. Every word in the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, is believed to be inspired by God. This belief is supported by verses in the Bible, such as 2 Timothy 3:16–17, which states, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
While there are differing views on the extent of the Bible's inspiration, it is clear that the Bible itself claims to be the word of God. This is further reinforced by Jesus' statements in the New Testament, such as Matthew 5:17-18, where he confirms the accuracy of the Scriptures and their authority as the word of God. The Catechism of the Catholic Church also supports this view, stating that the human writers of the Bible were "consigned to writing whatever he wanted written, and no more".
The Catholic Church, however, does not believe that God is the direct author of the Bible. Instead, they hold that the Scripture emerged from within the heart of a living subject—the pilgrim people of God. This belief is rooted in the historical authenticity of the foundation of an infallible Church and Jesus' grant of teaching authority to that church through his Apostles. The Church's designation of the biblical canon through its tradition further reinforces its authority to identify the inspired books.
The doctrine of biblical inspiration is not unique to Catholicism, as it is also found in Evangelical and other Christian traditions. Evangelicals, for example, believe that the Holy Spirit superintended the writers of the Bible, preserving their works from error while still allowing for their individual concerns, situations, and styles to be reflected in the text. This view acknowledges textual variations between biblical accounts of similar events and speeches, seeing them as complementary rather than contradictory.
The belief in the Bible as the inspired word of God has significant implications for Catholics and other Christians. It establishes the Bible as the final authority on moral, spiritual, and even civil matters for many. The infallibility and inerrancy of the Scriptures, derived from their divine inspiration, give them a unique status and influence over the lives of those who adhere to this doctrine.
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The nature of God
The Catholic Church teaches that God has revealed himself to humanity as a Father to his only Son, Jesus Christ, who is both fully divine and fully human. This belief in the divinity of Jesus is a core principle of Catholic doctrine, and his death and resurrection are commemorated during Easter and Good Friday, as well as during each celebration of the Eucharist.
The Catholic Church's understanding of God's nature is also expressed through its creeds, such as the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed, which summarise its core doctrines. These creeds were formulated during the first nine centuries of the Church and are recited during Sunday Masses.
Finally, the nature of God, as understood by Catholics, includes the belief in God's infinity, unity, simplicity, and divine personality. These attributes are understood through both natural reason and faith, with God's self-revelation in creation and through grace playing a central role in Catholic theology.
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The death and resurrection of Jesus
The New Testament mentions several resurrection appearances of Jesus to his twelve apostles and disciples, including more than five hundred brethren at once, before his Ascension. The resurrection of Jesus is "the central mystery of the Christian faith", and it provides the foundation for that faith. It is commemorated by Christians during Good Friday and Easter, as well as on each Sunday and in each celebration of the Eucharist, the Paschal feast.
The resurrection of Jesus is also important because it reveals God's justice, who exalted Christ to a life of glory after he humbled himself unto death. It completed the mystery of our salvation and redemption, as Christ freed us from sin by his death and restored the privileges lost by sin through his resurrection. By his resurrection, we acknowledge Christ as the immortal God and the cause of our own resurrection.
There are some variations and interpretations of Jesus' death and resurrection. Some theories suggest that Jesus did not really die on the cross but only swooned, and his resurrection was a return to consciousness. However, this theory contradicts the accounts in the Gospels and the testimonies of those present at the time of his death and burial.
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The role of Mary and the saints
Mary, the Mother of God, holds a significant position in the Catholic Church. Catholic Mariology is the systematic study of Mary and her place in the Economy of Salvation in Catholic theology. The doctrine of the Immaculate Conception, taught by the Catholic Church, asserts that Mary was conceived and born without the stain of original sin from the sin of Adam and Eve. As such, she is revered as the “New Eve”, possessing a singular dignity above the saints, receiving a higher level of veneration than all angelic spirits and blessed souls in heaven.
Marian Catholic dogmas reflect the role of Mary in the economy of salvation. These dogmas, such as the Immaculate Conception and the Assumption, are held by the Church to be infallible and are based on sacred scriptures, apostolic tradition, and teachings defined by the Pope or ecumenical council. The study of Catholic Mariology delves into Mary's life and her veneration in daily life, prayer, hymns, art, music, and architecture throughout the ages.
The development of Mariology is ongoing and continues to be shaped by theological analyses, writings of saints, and papal statements. Pope Benedict XVI emphasised the inseparable connection between Christology and Mariology, stating that Mary's study reflects the mysteries of Christology and ecclesiology. This underscores the intrinsic relationship between the Church, as the Body of Christ, and his mother.
Saints play a significant role in Catholic doctrine as well. In Catholicism, a saint is a person recognised for having an exceptional degree of holiness, likeness, or closeness to God. They are considered special signs of God's activity, and their veneration is sometimes misunderstood as worship, termed "hagiolatry". Saints are not merely legendary figures but real individuals who lived and continue to live in the heavenly world. Their lives and teachings serve as a source of inspiration and guidance for Catholics.
The process of canonization in the Catholic Church confers official recognition and veneration upon denominational saints. Saints provide examples of holiness and sanctity, demonstrating lives transformed by virtue. They are often invoked for intercession and prayer, with some Anglicans and Anglican churches, such as Anglo-Catholics, personally asking for the prayers of saints. The lives and teachings of saints are studied by many Christian denominations, including Methodists, who encourage the examination of saints' biographies as models of holy lives.
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The Mass and the Eucharist
The Eucharist is a re-enactment of the Last Supper, as Christ commanded his disciples to "do this in remembrance of me" (Luke 22:19). Each Mass since has commemorated Jesus' sacrifice on the cross through the Holy Eucharist. Catholics around the world unite in this timeless sacrifice, making it present in their worship.
The word Eucharist comes from the Greek word "eucharistia", meaning "thanksgiving". This refers to the accounts of the Last Supper in the Bible, where Jesus "gave thanks" as he took the bread and wine (Matthew 26:26-28, Mark 14:22-24, Luke 22:19-20, and 1 Corinthians 11:23-29).
The Eucharist is believed by Catholics to be the real presence of Christ in the consecrated bread and wine. This doctrine of transubstantiation holds that, after consecration by a priest, Christ's body and blood are truly present, and the bread and wine are truly absent. This is not a symbolic or mental belief but a physical reality. The early Church Fathers supported this belief, and it was also held by the earliest Christians 2,000 years ago.
The Eucharist is a central aspect of Catholic worship and theology, and it is celebrated consistently across the world in every Mass.
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Frequently asked questions
Catholic doctrine, or teachings, is based on canonical scripture and sacred tradition, as interpreted by the Catholic Church.
There are differing views on whether Catholic doctrine changes. Some believe that doctrine can "evolve" and changes fundamentally over time, especially in response to societal changes. Others believe that doctrine cannot change and is always presented in the same way.
Examples of Catholic doctrine include the belief in the resurrection of Jesus, the concept of the Eucharist, the honouring of Mary as the mother of God and the first among the saints, and the rejection of Arianism.
Doctrine refers to the teachings of the Catholic Church on matters of faith and morals and is considered unchangeable. Discipline, on the other hand, refers to instructions or systems of teaching given under the authority of the Church and can be changed with approval.
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