Michael Brooks
Catholicism is a Christian tradition with a rich theological history. Its central doctrines are those of the Trinity and God the Creator. The core beliefs of the Catholic faith are found in the Nicene Creed, which sets out the main principles of Catholic Christian belief. The creed proclaims belief in the Holy Trinity; the Incarnation, Passion, and Resurrection of Christ; the Second Coming and Last Judgment of Christ; the remission of sins; the church; and eternal life. The Catholic Mass is a Eucharistic celebration and a celebration of God’s word in Scriptures. The Eucharist is derived from the Greek word meaning 'thanksgiving' and commemorates the sacrifice of Christ on the cross and the reenactment of the Last Supper of Jesus.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Trinity | God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are each distinct but also each fully God |
| Incarnation | God became human in the person of Jesus Christ |
| Passion | Jesus, the Son of God, took on human flesh, lived among us, and ultimately sacrificed himself to redeem humanity |
| Resurrection of Christ | Jesus was resurrected three days after his death |
| Second Coming of Christ | Jesus will return at the end of time to judge the living and the dead and establish his kingdom |
| Last Judgment of Christ | Judgment is both personal and general; every individual will be judged immediately after death according to their faith and works |
| Remission of sins | The sacrament of reconciliation, or confession, is performed by a priest |
| Eternal life | The greatest punishment of hell is separation from God |
| Authority of the Church | The Pope, as the successor of Saint Peter, is the head of the Church on Earth, guiding the faithful and interpreting scripture |
| Sacraments | Rituals such as Baptism, Eucharist, Confession, and Marriage are outward signs of God's grace |
| Liturgy | A form of worship that commemorates and celebrates important events in the calendar of the church |
| Social Justice and Care for the Vulnerable | Seeking the welfare of others, promoting human dignity, and addressing social issues such as poverty, inequality, and injustice |
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What You'll Learn
The Holy Trinity
The three persons of the Trinity are co-eternal and co-equal, all sharing the same divine nature of being uncreated and omnipotent. The Son proceeds from the Father, and the Holy Spirit proceeds from both the Father and the Son, constituting the two processions in God. These processions are foundational to the four relations that make up the three persons in God. The first two relations are between the Father and the Son, with the Father actively and eternally generating the Son, and the Son being passively generated by the Father. The third relation is the Holy Spirit, who is spirated by the Father and the Son in a single relation within the inner life of God. The Holy Spirit's procession is not intellectual or generative but originates from the infinite act of love between the Father and the Son.
The Trinity is revealed in the Bible, with Jesus stating, "As the Father has sent me, even so, I send you... Receive the Holy Spirit" (John 20:21-22). The Holy Spirit is further revealed in Scripture as possessing omniscience and the same infinite and divine nature as the Father and the Son.
The doctrine of the Trinity was established early in the history of the Church, with evidence suggesting it was an article of faith as early as AD 150. The concept of the Trinity provides an explanation of the human condition, asserting that humankind can only be delivered from its debased condition by God's saving act—the death and resurrection of Jesus. Through Jesus, God is revealed as the Father sending the Son, and through the Son, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in redeemed humanity.
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The Second Coming
Catholicism is a Christian tradition with a rich doctrinal history. The basic doctrines of Catholicism are summarised in the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed, which are recited during baptism and Sunday Mass, respectively. These creeds encapsulate the core beliefs of the Catholic faith, which are centred around the Holy Trinity, the Incarnation, and the Passion, Resurrection, and Second Coming of Christ.
The doctrine of the Second Coming provides a framework for understanding the human condition and the need for salvation. Catholics believe that humanity is inclined to sin due to original sin, a universal moral defect inherited from Adam and Eve's transgression. However, through the death and resurrection of Jesus, God offers salvation and the opportunity for redemption.
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The Last Supper
The Eucharist is a sacraments in the Catholic Church, considered an outward sign of God's grace and playing a crucial role in the spiritual journey of Catholics. The Last Supper is reenacted during the Mass, a liturgical action that is central to the Catholic faith. The Mass is derived from the Latin word 'missa', meaning 'to be sent' or 'a mission'. Those who attend Mass are given the mission to spread the Word of God and Christ, received in Holy Communion, to all people.
During the Last Supper, Jesus took bread, blessed it, and broke it, saying, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." He then took a cup of wine, saying, "This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood." (Luke 22:19-20, 1 Corinthians 11:23-25). By doing this, Jesus was giving his followers the gift of his real presence in the form of bread and wine, which Catholics call the Eucharist.
The Eucharist is a fundamental belief in the Catholic faith, known as transubstantiation, where the bread and wine are believed to be transformed into the body and blood of Christ during the Mass. This belief is based on Jesus' words at the Last Supper and is a central part of Catholic doctrine. Through the Eucharist, Catholics receive the body and blood of Christ in Holy Communion, which is considered the high point of the Mass.
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The Bible as the word of God
Catholicism bases its teachings on the word of God, which is not limited to the Bible. The Church acknowledges that "Sacred Scripture is the word of God inasmuch as it is consigned to writing under the inspiration of the divine Spirit" (Vatican II, Dei Verbum 9). The Bible is the inspired word of God, and through the centuries, it has been preserved by the Catholic Church.
The Bible records the word of God being given to prophets who wrote no Scripture at all, such as Samuel (1 Sam. 9:27), Shemaiah (1 Kings 12:22), and John the Baptist (Luke 3:2). The oral apostolic preaching of the Christian faith is also spoken of as the word of God (Acts 4:31, 6:7, 16:6). Most fundamentally, Scripture reveals that Jesus is the Word of God (John 1:1–18, Rev. 19:13).
The word of God is a complex, multifaceted reality that includes but goes beyond Scripture, which is the portion of God’s word that was consigned to writing under divine inspiration. Our proper response to the word of God is to accept the whole of it as authoritative, for “man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4; cf. Deut. 8:3). It would be wrong to close our ears to God’s word when it is found outside of Scripture.
The Bible is central to the Catholic faith. The celebration of mass is a Eucharistic celebration and a celebration of God’s word in Scriptures. The core beliefs of the Catholic faith are found in the Nicene Creed. The creed proclaims belief in the Holy Trinity; the Incarnation, Passion, and Resurrection of Christ; the Second Coming and Last Judgment of Christ; the remission of sins; the church; and eternal life.
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The authority of the Church
Catholicism is steeped in a rich tapestry of beliefs, rituals, and doctrines. One of its fundamental tenets is the "Authority of the Church," which holds significant weight in the faith.
The "Authority of the Church" is a cornerstone of Catholic doctrine, entrusting the Church with the power and responsibility to guide the faithful and interpret scripture. This authority is believed to have been bestowed upon the Apostles by Jesus Christ himself, with the Pope, as the successor of Saint Peter, assuming the role of the visible head of the Church on Earth.
The Catholic Church, through its magisterium, holds the authority to interpret and teach canonical scripture and sacred tradition. This interpretive power shapes the understanding of Catholic theology and doctrine, influencing the lives and actions of millions of Catholics worldwide. The Church's living tradition, encompassing its doctrine on faith and morals, is believed to be protected from error, occasionally through infallibly defined teachings.
The Nicene Creed, formulated at the Councils of Nicaea and Constantinople in 325 and 381, respectively, and ratified as the universal creed of Christendom in 431, is a cornerstone of Catholic doctrine. It is recited during Sunday Masses and proclaims belief in the Holy Trinity, the Incarnation, Passion, and Resurrection of Christ, the Second Coming and Last Judgment, the remission of sins, the church, and eternal life.
The Catholic Church also recognises the Apostles' Creed, which serves as an affirmation of faith during the sacrament of baptism. This creed affirms belief in God the Father, Jesus Christ as the Son of God, the Holy Spirit, and the Catholic Church itself.
In addition to its spiritual and theological authority, the Catholic Church emphasises social justice and caring for the vulnerable. It encourages its followers to seek the welfare of others, promote human dignity, and address societal issues such as poverty, inequality, and injustice. This aspect of the Church's authority extends beyond the spiritual realm and into the social fabric of Catholic communities.
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Frequently asked questions
The Catholic Mass is a celebration of the Last Supper of Jesus or Eucharist. The word comes from the Latin word "missa", which means "to be sent (on a mission)". The Mass is central to the Catholic faith.
The core beliefs of the Catholic faith are found in the Nicene Creed, which sets out the main principles of Catholic Christian belief. The creed proclaims belief in the Holy Trinity, the Incarnation, Passion, and Resurrection of Christ, the Second Coming and Last Judgment of Christ, the remission of sins, the church, and eternal life.
Catholics believe that holy men and women who came before us still pray for us and aid us. They are called saints, and many churches are named after them. Catholics pray to saints for their intercession, asking them to pray for them so that God hears their prayers.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation, also known as Confession, is a ritual in the Catholic Church where the penitent confesses their sins, makes a firm commitment to change their lives and, through the priest, receives the grace and forgiveness of God.
