Sarah Mitchell
Catholicism, or Roman Catholicism, is a denomination of Christianity with its own set of religious texts and rituals. The primary religious text of Catholicism is the Bible, often referred to as the 'Sacred Scripture', which includes the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament contains the Book of Genesis, which outlines the Creation Story, and the New Testament includes the four Gospels, detailing the life of Jesus Christ. In addition to the Bible, Catholicism has other sacred texts and writings, such as commentaries, documents by Popes, and biographies of saints. The Catechism of the Catholic Church stipulates the official doctrines and teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, and the Church's creed, or declaration of beliefs, includes the Nicene Creed and the Apostles' Creed. These texts and rituals form the foundation of Catholic belief and practice, guiding the spiritual journey of its followers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main religious text | The Bible |
| Other names for the Bible | Sacred Scripture, Sacred Texts, Holy Bible |
| Number of books in the Catholic Bible | 73 |
| Bible's Old Testament | Includes deuterocanonical books |
| Bible's New Testament | Includes the four Gospels, passed down by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John |
| Other religious texts | Catechism of the Catholic Church, commentaries on doctrines and dogmas, writings by and biographies of canonised saints, papal decrees |
| Creeds | Nicene Creed, Apostles' Creed |
| Sacraments | Baptism, Communion, Confirmation, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Marriage, Holy Orders |
| Other rituals | Various sayings, actions, prayers and practices |
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What You'll Learn
The Bible is the main religious text
Catholicism, a denomination of Christianity, has several religious texts associated with it. However, the Bible is the main religious text of Catholicism. It is often referred to as the 'Sacred Scripture' and is a collection of 73 books recognised by the Catholic Church. These include the deuterocanonical books (and parts of books) of the Old Testament, which are in the Greek Septuagint collection but absent from the Hebrew Masoretic Text collection.
The Bible is divided into two sections: the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament, or the Book of Genesis, outlines the Creation Story and how God created Heaven and Earth, light and dark, and the land that we recognise as ours. It also includes the story of Noah's Ark, which highlights the biblical account of a flood that occurred and how God saved Noah, his family, and two of every animal. The New Testament includes the four Gospels, detailing the life story of Jesus Christ during his time on Earth, passed down by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
The Bible contains various genres, including historical chronicles, myths, genealogies, prophecy, laws, ethics, songs, and poetry. The original Bible text is considered by Catholics to be the authoritative version, with translations believed to hold less weight. The Catholic Church also has various other texts that are used, such as commentaries on doctrines and dogmas, documents by popes addressing contemporary issues, and writings by and biographies of canonised saints.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church stipulates the official doctrinal positions and teachings held by the Roman Catholic Church. The Church's creed, a statement of essential beliefs, is another important aspect of Catholic doctrine. The two main creeds are the Nicene Creed and the Apostles' Creed, spoken at Sunday Mass and on holy days to reaffirm the Church's teachings and expectations of its members.
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The Old Testament
Catholicism, a denomination of Christianity, has the Bible as its main religious text, often referred to as the 'Sacred Scripture'. The Bible is a collection of historical chronicles, myths, genealogies, prophecy, laws, ethics, songs, and poetry. The Bible is divided into two sections: the Old Testament and the New Testament.
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The New Testament
Catholicism is associated with the Christian belief system in God, Jesus and Faith. The main religious text of Catholicism is the Bible, often referred to as the 'Sacred Scripture'. The Bible is a collection of historical chronicles, myths, genealogies, prophecy, laws, ethics, songs and poetry. It is divided into two sections: the Old Testament and the New Testament, each containing a collection of myths and stories that exhibit the belief system of Catholicism.
In addition to the New Testament, Catholicism also encompasses various other texts, such as commentaries on doctrines and dogmas, writings by canonised saints, and documents by Popes addressing contemporary issues. These supplementary texts provide further context and guidance to Catholics, contributing to the richness and complexity of Catholic doctrine and belief.
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The Gospels
Catholicism is associated with the Christian belief system in God, Jesus, and Faith. The Catholic Church has many myths and sacred stories that are questioned, preached, and learned. The sacred texts of the Bible are divided into two sections: the Old Testament and the New Testament. Each testament contains a collection of myths and stories that exhibit the belief system of Catholicism.
The twelve apostles were the supreme authority as they were the eyewitnesses specially selected by Jesus to control the development of the Church. Their Church was independent of the theocratic state of Judaism and responsible only to God. The original motivation for composing the Gospel of Matthew was to unify and consolidate the teachings about Jesus for the first wave of converts. Matthew composed his work in Greek, the common language of communication throughout the Roman Empire and beyond. With the help of the Holy Spirit and the other apostles, Matthew arranged the selected material into three main sections:
- The origin of Jesus down to the opening of his public ministry in Galilee (1:1-4:17)
- The Galilean ministry (4:18-18:35), containing the bulk of his teachings, to which is attached a brief interlude in Transjordan
- [Section unknown] - containing the post-resurrection appearances of Jesus and the Great Commission, ending with his ascension.
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Catechism of the Catholic Church
Catholicism, a denomination of Christianity, has several religious texts associated with it. One of the most well-known is the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which serves as a comprehensive summary of the faith's fundamental principles and teachings. This catechism is a product of the Second Vatican Council and is rooted in Sacred Scriptures, the Fathers of the Church, liturgy, and the Church's Magisterium.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church was promulgated by John Paul II on October 11, 1992, marking the 30th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council. In his apostolic constitution, Fidei depositum, John Paul II characterised the Catechism as "a valid and legitimate instrument for ecclesial communion and a sure norm for teaching the faith." The Catechism is not intended to supersede local catechisms approved by ecclesiastical authorities but rather to serve as a reference for them.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church is structured into several parts, each exploring different aspects of Catholic doctrine and moral teachings. It begins with an exploration of the life of man's relationship with God, emphasising the desire to know and love Him. This leads into discussions about faith, catechesis, and the interpretation of heritage and faith.
The Catechism also delves into the nature of the Church, highlighting its unity, holiness, catholicity, and apostolicity. It recognises the hierarchy within the Church, including Christ's faithful, the laity, and those leading consecrated lives. Additionally, it acknowledges the Communion of Saints and the role of Mary as the Mother of Christ and the Church.
Furthermore, the Catechism addresses sacraments, such as baptism and the forgiveness of sins, and explores Christ's resurrection and its significance for believers. It also covers topics like the Last Judgment, the hope for a new heaven and earth, and the role of liturgy in the Church. The Catechism provides guidance on moral life, including the precepts of the Church, the importance of worshipping only God, and the sanctity of His name.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church is available in multiple languages on the Vatican website, with a more concise Compendium published in 2005 to enhance accessibility and understanding of its teachings.
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Frequently asked questions
The main religious text of Catholicism is the Bible, often referred to as the 'Sacred Scripture'. The Bible is a collection of different genres, including historical chronicles and myths, genealogies, prophecy, laws, ethics, songs, and poetry.
The Catholic Bible refers to a Christian Bible that includes the whole 73-book canon recognised by the Catholic Church. This includes some of the deuterocanonical books (and parts of books) of the Old Testament, which are in the Greek Septuagint collection but not the Hebrew Masoretic Text collection.
Catholicism has various other texts that may be used, such as commentaries on doctrines and dogmas, documents by popes that address contemporary issues, writings by canonised saints, and biographies of canonised saints. Some Syrian Churches that are Eastern Catholic accept the Letter of Baruch as scripture.
