Catholocism?

[apperkins]

I am leading a Bible study this week about unity within the Church. None of us are Catholic, but we would like to know some information about the Catholic church. Please, if you are a Catholic and answer, please note so. Thanks!

1. What is the Catholic doctrine concerning soteriology (justification and salvation)?
2. Why does the Catholic church pray to Mary? Do you believe she is without sin? Why is praying to Mary not considered idolatry or having false gods?
3. What scriptures support the concept of purgatory?
4. What role does the Holy Spirit play in worship, prophesying, and revelation during mass?
5. What are the sacraments?
6. Where are the scripture references for the sacraments (besides baptism and communion)?
7. From my understanding, people partake of the sacraments to receive God's grace. Is His grace not given freely to all and not through works or sacrifice?
8. Can non-Catholic believers in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ go to heaven?
9. What is the Catholic Church's standing in eschatology?
10. What are some important Catholic beliefs of theology proper?
11. In scripture, I have seen reference to pastors, prophets, teachers, and elders. I have never seen the word pope. Where is the pope referenced?

 

[Rhamiel]

I am leading a Bible study this week about unity within the Church. None of us are Catholic, but we would like to know some information about the Catholic church. Please, if you are a Catholic and answer, please note so. Thanks!

1. What is the Catholic doctrine concerning soteriology (justification and salvation)?
2. Why does the Catholic church pray to Mary? Do you believe she is without sin? Why is praying to Mary not considered idolatry or having false gods?
3. What scriptures support the concept of purgatory?
4. What role does the Holy Spirit play in worship, prophesying, and revelation during mass?
5. What are the sacraments?
6. Where are the scripture references for the sacraments (besides baptism and communion)?
7. From my understanding, people partake of the sacraments to receive God's grace. Is His grace not given freely to all and not through works or sacrifice?
8. Can non-Catholic believers in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ go to heaven?
9. What is the Catholic Church's standing in eschatology?
10. What are some important Catholic beliefs of theology proper?
11. In scripture, I have seen reference to pastors, prophets, teachers, and elders. I have never seen the word pope. Where is the pope referenced?

1 we are saved by grace, through faith that is alive with works, because faith without works is dead
God offers His grace to us, but like Adam and Eve we are able to reject His grace through sin (not doing what He says), we can not earn His grace because it is a free gift
2 we do think Mary is without sin, we love Mary because through her Christ entered the world, just like you might ask for your friends to pray for you we ask our friends on earth and our friends in heaven (the saints) to pray for us, we are many parts but all one body in Christ, we do not think the saints are gods, just fellow christians who have finished their race
i am about to fall asleep i will try to answer the rest when i can

 

[MrPolo]

I am leading a Bible study this week about unity within the Church. None of us are Catholic, but we would like to know some information about the Catholic church. Please, if you are a Catholic and answer, please note so. Thanks!

1. What is the Catholic doctrine concerning soteriology (justification and salvation)?
2. Why does the Catholic church pray to Mary? Do you believe she is without sin? Why is praying to Mary not considered idolatry or having false gods?
3. What scriptures support the concept of purgatory?
4. What role does the Holy Spirit play in worship, prophesying, and revelation during mass?
5. What are the sacraments?
6. Where are the scripture references for the sacraments (besides baptism and communion)?
7. From my understanding, people partake of the sacraments to receive God's grace. Is His grace not given freely to all and not through works or sacrifice?
8. Can non-Catholic believers in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ go to heaven?
9. What is the Catholic Church's standing in eschatology?
10. What are some important Catholic beliefs of theology proper?
11. In scripture, I have seen reference to pastors, prophets, teachers, and elders. I have never seen the word pope. Where is the pope referenced?

I'm Catholic. Good for you for desiring to hear from a Catholic since there is so much misinformation about Catholicism out there. I happen to be getting a master's in theology, so if you have further questions, feel free to ask or PM me. For the rest of my post, CCC=Catechism of the Catholic Church.

1. What is the Catholic doctrine concerning soteriology (justification and salvation)?
I recommend reviewing CCC#'s 1949-2029. And review the Council of Trent: Session VI on justification.

2. Why does the Catholic church pray to Mary? Do you believe she is without sin? Why is praying to Mary not considered idolatry or having false gods?
Here is an article fraught with Scripture and a visual graph on praying to saints.

As to Mary without sin, there are a number of apologetics articles that can help explain this. But one thing you should understand about Catholicism is the concept of typology. Typology is the idea that the things of the Old Testament foreshadow or are ante-types (or pre-figures) of things in the NT. For instance, in the Bible, Paul says Jesus is a type of Adam. Peter says the flood of Noah prefigures the waters of baptism in the NT. Jesus said the manna from heaven in the desert pre-figures the Bread of Life in the NT. Mary's preservation without sin is rooted in the soundness of her as the NT type of Eve, the Ark of the Covenant, the Garden of Eden, etc... These things were all created immpeccably and immaculately. One must also know that the types in the NT are always superior to those in the OT as Paul tells us when he says the things that passed away were less splendorous than the lasting things in the following age or as Haggai prophesied in Hag. 2:9. There are other verses that to more directly point to Mary being an exception, saved in advance of her conception by the merits of Christ. Here are a few articles on that:
The Immaculate Conception of the Mother of God (long)
Articles on the Immaculate Conception from Catholic.com. (shorter)

3. What scriptures support the concept of purgatory?
Many. First, one must understand a few things about what Purgatory is. It is the final sanctification of a soul prior to entering heaven (CCC#1030) where no blemish is compatible. Paul himself admits that he had yet to be made "perfect" (Phil 3:12). And the whole chapter of Hebrews 12 refers to how God continues to chastise those who are already "His sons" for the sake of their "holiness." The chapter also refers to the "spirits of just men made perfect." So you can understand Purgatory as the final stage of sanctification where God removes all tendency or blemishes of sin off your soul forever. Someone who knows the Bible well can deduce this quite easily.

1. Even Christians still sin (Ecc 7:20, Gal 2:11-13) which causes a stain to the soul (Eph 5:27), such as the drive to repeat the sin (e.g. Jn 8:34).
2. But in heaven we will not be able to sin, nor could God permit any sinful tendencies in heaven (e.g. Mt 6:10, Heb 12:23, Rv 21:27).
3. So you know that a forgiven person (completed by the blood of the Lamb) who still has tendencies for sin will have these stains purged away before he can fully unite with God. This purgation can only take place by the power of the Cross.

Here we have sinful tendencies. In heaven we will not. So it's a matter of transferrance from point A to point B. The transition we call "purgatory."

Other articles on Purgatory from Catholic.com.

4. What role does the Holy Spirit play in worship, prophesying, and revelation during mass?
This is a vast question and I would be better served to recommend for you the book by Catholic professor and theologian Scott Hahn called The Lamb's Supper, which is a short book. Here is a page detailing how so much of the mass is found in Scripture. Also, review the CCC index for the sub-topics under "Liturgy."

5. What are the sacraments?
6. Where are the scripture references for the sacraments (besides baptism and communion)?

CCC#1113-1134 and more specifically CCC1210ff
Check the footnotes in those paragraphs for Scriptural references. Or visit tidy websites like ScriptureCatholic.com which gives general lists of passages that support all Catholic doctrines by topic.

...continued next post...

 

[MrPolo]

7. From my understanding, people partake of the sacraments to receive God's grace. Is His grace not given freely to all and not through works or sacrifice?This is answered in previous resources. In short, the sacraments are not "works" of men but works of God. They are instruments God utilizes in His relationship with His people. Also we teach Christ is the source of grace (eg. CCC#388). We also teach grace is a free gift of God (e.g. CCC#1999).

8. Can non-Catholic believers in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ go to heaven?
It is possible, but the Church makes no pronouncement that it does indeed happen because the Church teaches that Christ is the only way to salvation. If someone were to be saved without formally believing in Christ, it would be because their heart was disposed in such a way as to be in a humble position to receive Christ if he were actually taught of Christ. We do not believe God necessarily plays games of "gotcha" that a person who was not given due opportunity to believe automatically goes to hell. God is free to extend His grace in mysterious ways wherever He chooses. This is a very misunderstood Catholic doctrine, and I think the one thing you must always keep in mind is that the Church teaches there is no salvation apart from Christ. Refer with that in mind to CCC#846-848.

9. What is the Catholic Church's standing in eschatology?
Another vast question. Refer to CCC#988-1065 (especially the parts on heaven, hell, and judgment which I think you mean) Or get Cardinal Ratzinger's (who is now Pope Benedict XVI) book Eschatology.

10. What are some important Catholic beliefs of theology proper?
I think by that you mean "things of God"? If so, refer to the CCC index on God and sub-topics therein.

11. In scripture, I have seen reference to pastors, prophets, teachers, and elders. I have never seen the word pope. Where is the pope referenced?
In Catholicism, we do not believe a word must appear in Scripture in order for it to be a reflection of Scripture. This is the case with all Christians who believe in the Incarnation, Trinity, Rapture, or even "Bible"--- none of those words appear in Scripture. Nevertheless, the etymology of the word Pope is derived from the Greek word "papas" which has connotations of a fatherly figure, which is along the lines of Paul told the Corinthians how he was their "father" in Christ (1 Cor. 4:14–15). He regularly refers to Timothy as "my child" or his "son" also. As the head bishop (which is derived from the scriptural term episkopoi), the term Pope became the word used to refer to the lead shepherd whose succession stems from the Apostles.

The role itself is seen in the Apostle Peter, who we believe was the first Pope (even if he did not bear that specific label at that time.) Articles offering an apologetic for the Papacy include:
Catholic.com articles
Articles on the Papacy archived at philvaz.com.

God bless you in your journey and studies.

 

[Hairy Tic]

I am leading a Bible study this week about unity within the Church. None of us are Catholic, but we would like to know some information about the Catholic church. Please, if you are a Catholic and answer, please note so. Thanks!

1. What is the Catholic doctrine concerning soteriology (justification and salvation)?
2. Why does the Catholic church pray to Mary? Do you believe she is without sin? Why is praying to Mary not considered idolatry or having false gods?
3. What scriptures support the concept of purgatory?
4. What role does the Holy Spirit play in worship, prophesying, and revelation during mass?
5. What are the sacraments?
6. Where are the scripture references for the sacraments (besides baptism and communion)?
7. From my understanding, people partake of the sacraments to receive God's grace. Is His grace not given freely to all and not through works or sacrifice?
8. Can non-Catholic believers in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ go to heaven?
9. What is the Catholic Church's standing in eschatology?
10. What are some important Catholic beliefs of theology proper?
11. In scripture, I have seen reference to pastors, prophets, teachers, and elders. I have never seen the word pope. Where is the pope referenced?

2.
a. Definitely
b. Definitely - what this means can be found from the prayers of the Church
c. Short answer - because she is not thought to be a goddess; she is a Saint, therefore something created. There is no tension between prayer to God & prayer to the Saints, because God & His creatures are totally different. No one confuses a character in a story with the teller of the story - & those are far more alike than God & His Saints. The difference between God & His Saints is so great as to be inconceivable, because God is the Holy One: the Saints have holiness as a quality; but the Incomparable God Who is their & our Creator & Lord, is Holiness.

So "Mary is less than [nothing] in comparison with God" - but the "nothing" that she is by nature as His creature, has been filled to overflowing with God's grace; & that makes her "something". She is is the most God-filled of creatures, not in the same way as her Divine Son & Creator, "in [Whom] the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily", as St.Paul says, for He is God by nature & is God-filled for that reason; she by contrast is His creature, & has & is nothing that she has not received as a grace. She owes everything she is to Him - without the slightest exception in any way. Mary, a creature, has & is no good that does not come to her through the grace of her Son; her very existence is His gift.

Does that sound like a goddess ?

So why is this not more strongly emphasised ? Perhaps, because Catholics don't feel a need to underline to other Catholics what both know perfectly well. The need for emphasis comes when Catholics & other Christians are exchanging ideas. But if Catholics already know that, for all her wonderful titles, graces, & privileges, she is their fellow-creature, what need is there to state the obvious ?

Why pray to her ? Because devotion to Mary is a part of devotion to Christ. This cannot be too strongly emphasised: when we honour her, we are recognising what God has done in & for & through her. But this, from "All for Jesus" by Father F.W. Faber (1814-63), says what needs saying:

• ...Love of Mary is but another form, and a divinely appointed one, of love of Jesus: and, therefore, if love of Him must grow, so also must love of her. If a person were to say, "you must not mingle prayer to Mary with prayer to Jesus", he would show that he had no true idea of this devotion, and that he was already on the brink of a very dangerous error. Yet people sometimes thoughtlessly speak as if devotion to the Mother was a little trifle allowably cut off from devotion to the Son, that it was something surrendered by Jesus to Mary; that Jesus was one thing, and Mary was another, and that devotion to the two was to be divided between them proportionably to their respective dignities, say a pound to Him and an ounce to her. If such persons really saw what they mean, which they do not, they would perceive that they were talking impiety. Love of Mary is an intrinsic part of love of Jesus, and to imagine that the interests of the two can be opposed, is to show that we do not understand Jesus, or the devotion due to Him, If devotion to Mary is not already, and in itself, devotion to Jesus, then when we show devotion to her we are consciously subtracting something from Him, and so actually robbing God, which is sacrilege. So that when people tell us to keep within bounds, to moderate our devotion, and not to go too far, or to do too much for Mary, they are not, as they fancy, securing to Jesus His rightful honour, but they are making the horrible confession that they themselves do take something from Jesus to give to Mary, though they are careful it should not be very much. How dreadful this sounds, when put in plain words. Devotion to Mary can get wrong in kind; it can never err in degree. If love of Mary be not love of Jesus, if devotion to Mary be not one of His own appointed devotions to Himself, aye, and the chief one too, then my theology as well as my love tells me, I can have no room for Mary at all, for my heart cannot adequately hold Jesus as it is. Dearest Mother! how little I should know of you, if I could think of you so dishonourably ! And what a poor, low notion should I have of God Himself! I might as well think grace kept me from God, or sacraments enabled me to do without Jesus, as imagine that you did ought else but gloriously magnify His love of me, and wonderfully intensify my love of Him!

All for Jesus

So there is no competition or rivalry (!!!) - for, all her holiness, is entirely her Son's - she is no less entirely His. She is a manifestation of Him; as are all created things. Her intercession is His, Her love is His, Her graces & glories are His. Since she is a member of His Body, which lives by His Life, this should be no surprise. Of course she prays for us - how is it imaginable that she could not ? And we ask for her prayers - for both we & she live by the same Divine Life; we are members of the same Body as she, so we & she are members of each other. The life of the Church on earth is not trashed in Heaven - it is perfected, for as has been said, "grace is the seed of glory". The Saints in Heaven are not dead - that would mean the members of Christ are dead: as though the Risen, Ascended & Glorified Lord were a zombie, or undead in some other way. No - if He has conquered death, & abolished death, & is the Life & the Resurrection, it is impossible that those who are His members & are where He is should be dead. For He is alive for evermore. So therefore must His Saints in Heaven be. It is sin that kills - & in Heaven there is neither sin nor sinner nor sinfulness. So what are theSaints in Heaven to be dead of ?

The Church is very clear that there is, and can be, One God alone. Because ther can be but the One, there cannot be a second. God is the only God on offer. Catholicism is strictly monotheistic. The difference between God & creatures is one not of degree, but of kind.

 

[NoBama2012]

I am leading a Bible study this week about unity within the Church. None of us are Catholic, but we would like to know some information about the Catholic church. Please, if you are a Catholic and answer, please note so. Thanks!

1. What is the Catholic doctrine concerning soteriology (justification and salvation)?
2. Why does the Catholic church pray to Mary? Do you believe she is without sin? Why is praying to Mary not considered idolatry or having false gods?
3. What scriptures support the concept of purgatory?
4. What role does the Holy Spirit play in worship, prophesying, and revelation during mass?
5. What are the sacraments?
6. Where are the scripture references for the sacraments (besides baptism and communion)?
7. From my understanding, people partake of the sacraments to receive God's grace. Is His grace not given freely to all and not through works or sacrifice?
8. Can non-Catholic believers in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ go to heaven?
9. What is the Catholic Church's standing in eschatology?
10. What are some important Catholic beliefs of theology proper?
11. In scripture, I have seen reference to pastors, prophets, teachers, and elders. I have never seen the word pope. Where is the pope referenced?

Here is what you need: A very small booklet, very
good, which happens to be posted online as well:



Link http://www.catholic.com/library/pillar.asp

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