CATECHISM QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

95 CATECHISM QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

BIBLE

1. What is the Bible?
The Bible is the collection of books that relate God’s revelation to the human race. It is the inspired word of God written by men and comprises the Old Testament and the New Testament.
2. Where did we get the Bible?
We have the Bible by the authority of the early councils of the Catholic Church which decided which writings were truly inspired by God. Therefore the Bible may rightly be said to be a Catholic book.
3. When there is dispute over what the Bible means to teach us about some matter of faith or morals, how do we know the right meaning?
Only the teaching authority of the Catholic Church can know what is true in faith and morals because Christ promised that the Holy Spirit would reveal all truth to the Church.
4. What is the teaching authority of the Church called?
The teaching authority of the Catholic Church is called magisterium.
5. What is Sacred Tradition?
Sacred Tradition is the oral, unwritten message that Jesus gave the Apostles. Some of it was written down and is found in apostolic documents that are not part of the Bible.
6. In what degree must we accept the Bible? In what degree Tradition?
One must accept the Bible and Tradition completely and equally because both are revealed by God.
GOD
7. What is the Blessed Trinity?
The Blessed Trinity means that in the one God there are three distinct and equal Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
8 What do we mean by the equality and distinction of the divine Persons?
The three divine Persons are perfectly equal to one another because all are the one and infinitely perfect God. The three divine Persons are really distinct from one another. They are not three names for the same Person, nor are the three Persons blended into one another. This means:

The Father is not the Son. The Son is not the Holy Spirit. The Father is not the Holy Spirit.
CREATION
9. What are Angels?
Angels are pure spirits, without bodies, having intelligence and free will.
10. What are good angels; what are bad angels?
The good angels are those who remained faithful to God, and entered into the eternal happiness of heaven. The bad angels are those who turned against God and were cast into Hell. These are the fallen angels or devils.
11. What is a guardian angel?
A guardian angel is a good angel who has been assigned to each one of us by God to watch over, lead, guide, and protect each of us in all we do.
12. What is man? How is he like God?
Man is a creature composed of body and soul, and made to the image and likeness of God.
Man is like God chiefly in the soul.
13. What was the condition of Adam and Eve before the Fall and after the Fall?
The original condition of Adam and Eve was that they were in perfect harmony with God, and were given sanctifying grace, which made them children of God and gave them the right to heaven. They were also free from sickness and death. After the Fall they were deprived of God’s friendship and grace, they were subject to sickness and death, and their wills were inclined to sin.
14. What is the sin of Adam and Eve Called? How do we get it? How do we remove it?
The sin of Adam and Eve is called, Original Sin.
We all, children of Adam, come into the world with Original Sin.
It is removed when we are baptized.

15. When we have Original Sin removed, what effects of it remain in us?
The inclination to sin still remains in us because our nature was weakened by the Fall.
SIN
16. What is the difference between temptation and sin?
Temptation is a strong inclination or suggestion to sin which may come from the devil, from something outside us, or from our tendency toward evil as a result of Adam’s fall. Sin is knowingly and willingly breaking the law of God, not merely the inclination to commit evil.
17. Can temptation always be resisted?
Temptation can always be resisted because God will not allow us to be tempted beyond our strength.
18. What is mortal sin; what three elements are necessary to it?
Mortal sin is a grievous offense against the law of God that deprives us of grace and leads to eternal death in hell. The three elements necessary to make a mortal sin are: First, the thought, desire, word, action or omission must be seriously wrong or considered seriously wrong; Second, the sinner must be mindful of the serious wrong; Third, the sinner must fully consent to it.
19. What is venial sin; What makes up venial sin?
Venial sin is a less serious offense against the law of God, which does not deprive the soul of sanctifying grace, and which can be pardoned even without sacramental confession.
There are two conditions that make up a venial sin: First, when the evil done is not seriously wrong; second, when the evil done is indeed seriously wrong, but the sinner sincerely (but falsely) believes it is only slightly wrong, or when he does not give full consent to it.
20. What are the occasions of sin? What are the near occasions of sin?
The occasion of sin is any person, place or thing which may lead us into sin. The near occasions of sin are all persons, places, or things that may likely lead us into sin.
21. What are the main sources of the sins people commit?
The main sources of the sins people commit are the seven capital sins: pride, avarice, envy, anger, lust, gluttony, and sloth.

JESUS CHRIST
22. Who is Jesus Christ? Is he a human person? How many natures has He?
Jesus Christ is the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity, the Son of God who became man.
No, Jesus Christ is not a human person but a divine Person; Jesus is God.
Jesus Christ has two natures: The nature of God and the nature of man.
23. What is the Incarnation?
The Incarnation means that the Son of God became man.
24. Who is Jesus’ mother? Who is Jesus’ father?
The Blessed Virgin Mary is the mother of Jesus.
Only God the Father is the Father of Jesus. Saint Joseph was the guardian, or foster father, of Jesus.
25. What is the Redemption?
The Redemption means that Jesus Christ offered his sufferings and death as a sacrifice to make up for the sins of all humanity. By the redemption, Christ gained for man the right to be children of God and heirs of heaven.
26. What is the Immaculate Conception? What does it mean?
The Immaculate Conception was the special privilege granted by God to the Blessed Virgin Mary whereby she was free from original sin from the first moment of her life.
Due to a special grace of God, Mary never committed any sin her whole life long.
27. What do the words “he descended into hell” mean?
The descent into hell means that the soul of Jesus, after his death on the cross, descended to the place of rest where the souls of the just had been waiting for him. He did not go to the place of the damned.
GRACE, VIRTUE, GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
28. What is sanctifying grace? What terms do the Scriptures use for it?
Sanctifying grace confers on our souls a new life, that is, a sharing in the life of God Himself.

The bible sometimes calls it ‘life’, ‘living water’ or ‘light’.
29. What is actual grace?
Actual grace is a supernatural help of God which enlightens our mind and strengthens our will to do good and to avoid evil.
30. How do we get sanctifying grace? How do we increase it?
We receive and increase sanctifying grace through the worthy reception of the sacraments and through prayer and other good works.
31. What are the three theological virtues? Explain each.
The three theological virtues are, Faith, Hope and Charity.
Faith is the virtue by which we firmly believe all the truths God has revealed, on the word of God revealing them, who can neither deceive nor be deceived.
Hope is the virtue by which we firmly trust that God, who is all-powerful and faithful to His promises, will in His mercy give us eternal happiness and the means to obtain it.
Charity is the virtue by which we love God above all things for His own sake, and our neighbor as ourselves for the love of God.
32. What are the gifts of the Holy Spirit?
There are seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, they are: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord.
33. What is moral virtue? What are the four cardinal (or main) virtues? Give examples of other moral virtues.
Moral virtues are habits that help us to lead good lives by treating persons and things in the right way, that is, according to the will of God.
The four cardinal virtues are prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance.
Other examples of the moral virtues are honesty, courage, self-control, and purity.

THE CHURCH
34. What is the Church? Who founded it? How many true churches are there?
What is the relationship between other churches and the true Church? The Church is the congregation of all baptized persons united in the same true faith, the same sacrifice, and the same sacraments, under the authority of the Pope and the bishops in union with him. The Church is the Mystical Body of Christ. Jesus Christ founded the Church.
There is only one true Church, the Catholic Church. Other churches have a greater or lesser participation in the fullness of truth and grace that is found only in the Catholic Church.
35. Who is St. Peter? Who are his successors?
St. Peter is the Apostle chosen by Christ to be the head, or first Pope, of the Church He founded.
The Popes who have been chosen over the centuries succeed St. Peter. They are Christ’s representatives on earth as the lawful successors of St. Peter and visible heads of the Church.
36. Who are the apostles? Who are their successors?
The Apostles were men selected by Christ and sent to preach the Gospel to the world, to forgive sins, and to celebrate the sacraments.
Their successors are the bishops.
37. What are the four identifying marks by which you can be sure of the true Church?
The four identifying marks are One, Holy, Catholic (or universal), and Apostolic.
38. What is infallibility? To what matters does it extend?
Infallibility is a guarantee of truth which excludes error, given by Christ to His Church.
Infallibility is limited to matters of faith and moral teaching. The official teachings of the Pope are infallible.
39. The Church teaches that there is no salvation outside the Catholic Church. What does this mean?
When we say, “Outside the Church there is no salvation,” we mean that Christ made the Catholic Church a necessary means of salvation

and commanded all to enter it, so that a person must be connected with the Church in some way to be saved.
40. What is excommunication?
Excommunication is a penalty by which the Church cuts one off from the sacraments and from union with the Church; an excommunicated person loses his rights but not his obligations.
41. What is apostasy? What is heresy?
Apostasy is the rejection of Christianity.
Heresy is the denial of one or more truth of the Catholic Faith. These are mortal sins.
42. What would it mean to deny just even one article of the Catholic faith knowingly?
To deny even one article of the Catholic faith knowingly would be a heresy and a grave sin against the virtue of Faith.
43. What is a priest? What is a Sister? What is the consecrated laity?
A Priest is a mediator between God and man. Having received Holy Orders a priest takes the place of Christ, the High Priest and can offer Mass, forgive sins, and perform the other sacraments of the Church.
A Sister is woman religious, living by an approved rule of life.
Consecrated lay men and women are bound by vows to Christ and remain unmarried for His sake while living among others in the world.
44. What is the communion of saints and what is the relationship between them?
The communion of saints is the sharing of grace among all members of Christ’s Church, whether they are on earth, in purgatory, or in heaven.
The relationship between them is that members of the Church are able to help each other through prayer in the communicating of spiritual benefits.
45. What is the resurrection of the body?
The resurrection of the body is the rising of the human body united with the soul on the last day of time. It will bring the body to a state of perfection and glory.

46. What is the Assumption?
The Assumption is the taking up into heaven of the body and soul of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
47. How many judgments will God give us?
There are two judgments. The first is called the particular judgment which takes place after one’s death. The second is called the general judgment and will take place at the end of the world with men and women from all time.
48. What is purgatory? How do people get there? How do they get out of there?
Purgatory is a place of temporary punishment for souls that die in the state of grace but who must be purified of venial sin or of any temporary punishment still due to their sins before they can enter heaven.
49. Will people in hell ever get out?
No, the punishment of hell is eternal.
50. What is necessary for one to get to heaven?
One must die in the state of grace, and be completely free of all punishment due to sin.
COMMANDMENTS
51. What are the two commandments of Jesus?
The two commandments of God are: You shall love the Lord your God with your whole heart, and with your whole soul, and with your whole mind, and with your whole strength; and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
52. What are the ten commandments? (by number and in order)
The Commandments of God are:
1. I am the Lord your God; you shall not have strange gods before Me.
2. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
3. Remember to keep holy the Lord’s day.
4. Honor your father and your mother.
5. You shalt not kill.
6. You shalt not commit adultery.

7. You shalt not steal.
8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
9. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife.
10. You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods.
53. What is sacrilege? What kind of sin is it? Give examples of it.
A sacrilege is the irreverent treatment, or mistreatment, of sacred persons, places, or things; it is also the reception of any of the sacraments unworthily. It is a mortal sin.
Examples of sacrilege are knowingly receiving Holy Communion in mortal sin; or knowingly not confessing all of one’s mortal sins in confession.
54. What is a relic? Are sacred images permitted to be venerated?
A relic is the body, or part of the body, of a saint. It is also anything, such as clothing, associated with the saint which the Church honors because of the sanctity of the person while on earth.
Sacred images may be venerated. It is a good practice to do this.
55. What kind of sin is it to miss Mass on Sunday (or Saturday evening) through one’s own fault?
It is a mortal sin against the third commandment to miss Mass on the days when attendance is obligatory.
56. What are some spiritual duties of parents towards their children?
Spiritual duties of parents towards their children are to teach the Catholic faith and good morals, and to protect them from spiritual harm.
57. Discuss abortion (and its penalties); illegal drugs; alcoholic drink.
Abortion is a very grave sin and excommunicates one from the Church. The use of illegal drugs is always sinful. Alcoholic drink is sinful only when consumed to excess or when one is forbidden to take it.
58. Discuss purity and sins opposed to it (e.g. adultery, fornication; impurity with one’s own body; pornography; immoral music or movies, contraception, immodesty).
Sins against purity that are fully willed (must understand this) are always mortal sins.
59. Discuss sins of stealing, including immoral business practices,

cheating in buying and selling and shopping and income tax.
These sins are mortal if the amount stolen or its value equals or exceeds what is about the worth of a daily wage.
60. What is restitution? Is it necessary for forgiveness of sins?
Restitution is the obligation to pay back whatever is stolen or damaged. It is necessary to have at least the intention of restitution for one to be forgiven.
61. Discuss perjury; slander; detraction.
Perjury means lying while under an oath to tell the truth. It is always a mortal sin.
Slander means telling a lie about one’s character.
Detraction means telling a truth about another’s moral failings or weaknesses.
Slander and detraction may be mortal sins depending on the amount of damage done to one’s reputation.
62. What are the precepts (laws) of the Church?
1. To assist at Mass on all Sundays and holy days of obligation.
2. To fast and to abstain on the days appointed.
3. To confess our sins at least once a year.
4. To receive Holy Communion during the Easter time.
5. To contribute to the support of the Church.
63. What is fasting? What is abstinence? When are these obligatory?
Fasting is to take no food or liquid for a certain time. On fast days only one full meal is allowed, but one or two smaller meals may be taken, if needed for strength. Fasting is binding on those from ages 18 to 60. Abstinence is refraining from doing something, especially from eating certain foods. A day of abstinence is one on which we are not allowed to eat meat. All Fridays and Ash Wednesday are days of abstinence. Abstinence from meat is obligatory for Catholics who have passed their fourteenth year.
64. What happens when a Catholic marries outside the Catholic Church, i.e. apart from the law of the Church? Can the divorced remarry?
A Catholic who marries outside the Catholic Church (e.g. by a judge or a Protestant minister) commits sin and is not married at all.

A divorced Catholic is not allowed to remarry while his spouse is still living.
SACRAMENTS
65. What is a sacrament?
A sacrament is an outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace.
66. What are the names of the seven sacraments?
The names of the seven sacraments are: Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony.
67. Which sacraments can be received only once?
Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders can only be received once. A man, however, may receive each of the three degrees of Holy Orders.
68. How is baptism given? What does baptism do for you?
Baptism is given in this way: the one baptizing pours water over the forehead 3 times of the one to be baptized, saying, “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
Baptism gives us the new life of sanctifying grace by which we become children of God and heirs of heaven.
69. What is confirmation? Who usually gives it?
Confirmation is the sacrament through which the Holy Spirit enables us to profess our faith as strong and perfect Christians and soldiers of Jesus Christ.
The bishop is the usual minister of Confirmation.
70. What is chrism?
Holy chrism is a mixture of olive oil and balm, blessed by the bishop on Holy Thursday.
71. What is the Eucharist? When was it first given?
Holy Eucharist is a sacrament and a sacrifice. In the Holy Eucharist, under the appearance of bread and wine, Jesus Christ is contained, offered, and received.
The institution of this most Blessed Sacrament of Holy Eucharist was on Holy Thursday at the Last Supper, the night before He died.

72. Who consecrates the Eucharist? How is it consecrated? What materials are necessary for it?
The priest consecrates the Eucharist.
It is consecrated by the words spoken at the time of the consecration during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass: “This is my body...” and This is my blood...”.
The materials that are necessary are pure wheat bread and wine made from grapes.
73. What is transubstantiation?
Transubstantiation is the change of the entire substance of the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ.
74. Is the whole Christ present in the Eucharist? In each form? In each part of each form?
The whole Christ is present Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity in the Eucharist.
Jesus Christ is whole and entire under the appearance of bread and under the appearance of wine and under every particle of each form that can be recognized as such.
75. Why do we genuflect and why do we kneel in the church?
We genuflect to pay our reverence and respect to God who is present in the Most Blessed Sacrament of Holy Eucharist reserved in the tabernacle.
76. What is the Mass?
The Mass is the sacrifice of the New Law in which Christ, through the ministry of the priest, offers Himself to God in an unbloody manner under the appearances of bread and wine.
77. What is meant by sacrifice?
A sacrifice is the offering of a victim by a priest to God alone, and the destruction of it in some way to acknowledge that He is the Creator of all things.
78. What are the conditions for receiving Communion?
The conditions for receiving communion are:
One must be free from mortal sin, to have a right intention, and to obey the Church’s laws on the fast required before Holy Communion (one hour from all food and drink, except water).

79. What is a monstrance?
A monstrance is a sacred vessel in which the host is held and displayed for the purpose of exposition and adoration of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.
80. What is absolution (in the sacrament of penance)?
Absolution is the freeing from sin by God through the priest.
81. Is it sufficient to tell our sins privately to God for obtaining forgiveness?
Confession of mortal sins is always necessary. By prayer one may be forgiven venial sins. Mortal sin may also be forgiven by an act of perfect contrition but must always include the intention to go to confession.
82. What is an examination of conscience?
Examination of conscience is a sincere effort to call to mind all the sins we have committed since our last worthy confession.
83. What is contrition? Explain the two kinds of contrition.
Contrition is sincere sorrow for having offended God, and hatred for the sins we have committed, with a firm purpose of sinning no more.
The two kinds of contrition are perfect contrition, and imperfect contrition. Perfect contrition is when we are sorry for our sins because sin offends God whom we love above all things for His own sake. Imperfect contrition is when we are sorry for our sins because they are hateful in themselves or because we fear God’s punishment.
84. Does communal penance substitute for confession? Explain?
No, communal penance may only be received in unusual circumstances. To receive forgiveness in this way, one must intend to confess later any mortal sins that were forgiven.
85. What happens if we forget a sin in confession? What happens if we deliberately withhold a sin in confession?
If without our fault we forget to confess a mortal sin, we are forgiven and may receive Holy Communion. The mortal sin must yet be confessed at the next confession when it is recalled.
If we deliberately withhold a sin in confession no sins we have confessed are forgiven; moreover, we commit another mortal sin of sacrilege

86. What is meant by the seal of confession?
By the seal of confession is meant that the priest is bound never to reveal any sin that has been confessed to him.
87. How do we make up for the punishment due to our sins once they have been forgiven?
We can make up for the punishment due to our sins by performing the penance imposed after confession and by prayer, attending Mass, fasting, almsgiving, the works of mercy, the patient endurance of sufferings, and indulgences.
88. What is an indulgence?
An indulgence is the remission of all or some of the temporal punishment due to our sins.
89. What is the purpose of the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick?
The purpose of the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is to give health and strength to the soul, and sometimes to the body, when we are in danger of death from sickness, accident, or old age.
90. What are the three degrees of the sacrament of holy Orders?
The three degrees of Holy Orders are those of deacon, priest, and bishop.
91. What is the reason that God gave us marriage?
God gave us the sacrament of marriage to create new human life and for a man to love his wife as Christ loves the Church and for a woman to love her husband as the Church submits to Christ. Man and woman freely bind themselves for life in a marriage and receive the grace from God to discharge their duties.
92. What is a sacramental? Give examples of sacramentals.
Sacramentals are holy things or actions which the Church uses to obtain spiritual and temporal favors from God. Sacramentals include blessings given by priests and bishops; holy water, blessed objects.
93. Say these prayers and acts from memory:
The Our Father
The Hail Mary
The Glory be to the Father
The Apostles Creed
The Act of Contrition & concluding dialogue for confession

Outline the Form of Confession
Names of the 20 Mysteries of the Rosary
Hail, Holy Queen
Act of Faith
Act of Hope
Act of Love
94. What are the holy days of obligation (that is, days when one is obliged to go to Mass)?
Besides Sundays, the holy days of obligation are:
Christmas day (December 25); the Maternity of Mary (January 1); the Assumption of Mary (August 15); All Saints’ Day (November 1); The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (December 8).
95. You must have completed the following. Indicate the dates when these works have been done:
A. I have said four rosaries, that is, all twenty decades, at least once each on these dates:
1.________________________ 2.________________________
3.________________________ 4.________________________
B. I made the fourteen Stations of the Cross on _____________.
C. I have witnessed and participated in Exposition and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament on _____________.
D. I have been given a tour of the church to see the confessional, the altar and its furnishings, the vestments and vessels on _____________.

Christmas Crib, Yavatmal - 2019-20

PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL (Pentecost Sunday)

PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL

Pentecost Sunday

Celebrant; It is because we have received the Spirit that we can cry out “Abba, Father”.  Let us now, in that same Spirit call on God to answer our prayers.  

INTERCESSIONS

On this Pentecost Sunday, when we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit to the apostles, we humbly beseech our Father that we, too, be blessed with the wisdom of the Spirit, so that we may grow in love of God and neighbour.

We pray to the Lord                         R. Lord, hear our prayer

We pray for the Church in Ireland and throughout the world, that we will be open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit as we seek renewal and the true way forward together.  

We pray to the Lord                         R. Lord, hear our prayer

We ask God to bestow on us the wisdom and insight to care for the earth and environment and to preserve His gifts of water, land and climate for ourselves and the good of those who come after us.       

We pray to the Lord                         R. Lord hear our prayer

We pray for the terminally ill, that the Holy Spirit be their guide, that gentle care enfold them, that their grief give way to tenderness and that the deep mystery of God’s love be their solace as they prepare to be welcomed into eternal happiness.

 We pray to the Lord                        R. Lord hear our prayer

We pray for peace in Jerusalem and all the Holy Land, that the Holy Spirit guides them, that division and hatred be dispelled and a new desire for peace arise in the hearts of the people of that land which gave us Christ, our Saviour.

We pray to the Lord                         R. Lord hear our prayer

We pray for our young people who are currently sitting for their Leaving and Junior Cert exams, that they are happy with their progress to date and that they receive inspiration from the Holy Spirit with the remaining papers.

We pray to the Lord                         R. Lord hear our prayer

We bow our heads and remember in silence our own personal intentions and the intentions of those who have asked for our prayers.

We pray to the Lord                         R. Lord hear our prayer

Celebrant; Open our hearts ever more to the promptings of your Spirit, O Lord, as we make these prayers through Jesus Christ, Our Lord, Amen. 

Christology

·         Jesus’ titles speak about his identity.

·         Faith and reason are combined

·         The one who proclaimed became the proclaimed.

Christology = The study of the identity and saving functions of Jesus Christ for the World.

There is new interest in Christology – Did Jesus really live?  Fascination for experience, reason, interest in human person, reaffirming the world, human body as beautiful – incarnation, sense of history, sensitivity to evil, religious pluralism, uniqueness of Christ, Ecological crisis, global Christ. 

Why Christology? – Faith is necessary.  

·         Personal enrichment – meaning and destiny of life found in Christ.

·         A model of relationship – God and others – Help to the community – All the 16 documents of Vatican II speak of Christology.  It is necessary for inter – religious dialogue.

·         Christ is the second person – Nicene Creed. 

·         Personal identity and saving function = Christ as he is in himself.  Christ in relationship to the Father, myself, world, others, in the past, present and the future.

Sources of Study – Scriptures and Tradition.

What is Christology? – Theology = Faith seeking understanding.

                                      -  Christology = Faith in Christ seeking understanding.

Etymology – kristos = the anointed (Heb Messiah, Aramaic Masiha)

                                      - Logos = Word or study, knowledge, science. 

Literally it is the study or knowledge of Christ (Ph 3:8)

The anointed ones are only the kings and the prophets for specific reasons in the Old Testament (Lev 4:16, 1 Kings 19:6, Is 61:1, 1 Sam 24:6.

Jesus = Name of a historical person and Christ = the function of Jesus.

Jesus as Christ was of a later identification (Acts 2:36).  Jesus Christ is both a historical person and object of Faith.

Jesusology = the study of the historical Jesus as the person of Nazareth with no reference to the Christian Faith (Mt 1:24-25, Lk 1:31).  Yesua = God saves (Jos 1:1, 2:1, Num 27:18-23)

Christology = the study of historical person of Nazareth as the Christ. 

Divine Revelation = Self-revelation of God in human history for the salvation of mankind.

Faith = a personal response to a personal revealing God.

Definition of Christology:  Christology is the theological reflection of the mystery of Jesus Christ; and interpretation of the Christ’s event by human mind and heart in the light of Faith, revelation and reason.  It is the scientific understanding and systematic reflection on our faith in Jesus Christ and his saving functions for the world.  It is Christian faith seeking understanding.  It is the science and art of knowing, living, loving and witnessing Christ. 

·         The centrality of Christology grows from the centrality of Christ. 

·         There are many types of Christology – Christology from above and below, Functional Christology, Ontological Christology, Rightist and Leftist Christology, Centrist Christology, Spirit Christology, Indian, or Tribal Christology etc. 

Saving Death – We begin from experience – based ourselves on experience of the Apostles – NT writings = Jesus Christ is the Saviour of the World.  Their experience deepens ours. 

Death – Historical setting – 14 or 15 of Nizan.  Two calendars – one is sacred = begins with Nizan and the other is secular = it is the seventh month of the year. 

For John 14^th of Nizan is theological.  It is to show that Jesus is the Paschal Lamb (Jn 19:14, 36) – not one bone will be broken.  Death was recorded by historians like Flavius and Josephus.  There was a trial by the Sanhedrin.

Sanhedrin – It is the highest Jewish Court of Justice (Supreme Court).  It has 71 members.  It has three groups (i) the retired and current High priests, (ii) The Elders – laypersons from leading families and (iii) the Scribes (Pharisees and Sadducees).

Jewish Society composed of Clergy, lay nobility, the Scribes, the Common man, the slaves and the widows. 

There was setting for the trial – deep, underlying real reasons.  The accusations were the outer reasons given. 

Conviction – religious reason twisted and turned to become political.  Pilate had no reasons to convict him (Lk 23:13-17, Jn 19:4,6-8).  The real reason is INRI = Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaorum (Jesus of Nazareth the king of the Jews).  This is the only written word about Jesus of Nazareth. 

Crucifixion – For non-citizens, Cross = instrument of torture.  The custom was taken from Chartage. 

·         Jesus died for Salvation of humanity – by his way of life, actions, Jesus knew about his forth-coming violent death.  As God he knew but as man gradually (Lk 4:40).

·         No total willingness it seems but predictions proved that he accepted his death (Mk 8:31, 9:30-32, Lk 9:21-22, 43-45, Mt 17:22-23, 16:21) – death was a proof.  In his death he recognizes his Father’s will.  Therefore, he accepted.

Death as Salvation (Mt 26:26-28, Lk 22:17-20, 1 Cor 11:23-26)

1. Jesus is kingdom of God.   Jesus knew his death would bring salvation. 
2. Establishment by unique sacrifice of New Covenant – blood sacrifice.
3. Ebed Yahweh – Mission completed with Death and once and for all.  Death is universal (because he is God–man) in character.  The blood he shed he shed it once and for all for you and for all. 

Necessity of his death – (i) Self-communication culminated in Christ. (ii) No better communication than self-giving – Love tested in suffering (iii) It is the hardest way possible (Jn 3:16).

Kairos = The appointed time, apt time, time of redemption.  

Death as expiation (reconciliation) – (2 Cor 5:18-19, Rom 5:6-11, 3:25)

Jesus is saviour from death, the consequent of sin (Rom 8:24, 1:32, 6:7, 1 Cor 15:45-46, Act 2:24, Rev 6:8, 1 Cor 15:26).

Jesus is liberator from law (Mt 5:17-18, Rom 3:31)

Jesus is victor over evil ----

His death is linked with kingdom which is anticipated (Mk 14:17-25, 1 Cor 11: 23-25. 

Soteriology = study of Salvation

Resurrection – Resurrection proves the Gospels, the Gospels are witness to the resurrection.  Resurrection is real as given in the Gospels – Great men return to life (Mt 11:13-14, Jn 1:21, Lk 1:17, Mal 4:5)

Empty tomb – (Mk 16:1-8, Lk 24:1-12, Mt 28:1:7, Jn 20:1:13) – there are discrepancies (the writers were not concerned about it). 

It is not that the tomb is empty, hence resurrection but Resurrection, hence tomb is empty.  He appeared – writers used language of the senses though stressed is on the element of Faith.  There was a competition for witnessing – the historical Jesus became the Christ of Faith after the resurrection. 

Resurrection is an event – a historical event, a divine act, there are witness, gift of the Spirit – a transhistorical or metaphysical act.

There are three counter arguments but the empty tomb, the appearances and the witness of disciples are the three hinges of Resurrection. 

It can be theologically explained.  An act of God, redemptive event, sign of New Life, new age, manifestation to his disciples, his Lordship, restoration in Christ, Hope of our resurrection, new meaning to death, cross, life and eschatological aspects. 

Death, Resurrection and Ascension complete the life of Jesus on earth.  They are distinct but not separated – the story of Jesus does not end. 

Jesus Christ, Saviour of the world.  Saviour is the identity of Jesus.  In Greek soter (noun) and Sozein (verb). The word used is soteria = salvation.  In Latin Salvator = Saviour, and in Hebrew Yesua = God saves.

Jesus is the saviour of the Cosmos.  Salvation in the modern view means liberation, reconciliation, healing, self –emptying, saving love, transforming love and covenanted love.  It means to rescue, to save.  In the traditional view = Atonement, substitution, vicarious sacrifice, representation, cleansing.  There are other concepts of Salvation in other faiths too.  They are like moksha in Hinduism, Nirvana in Buddhism and Najat (Islam). 

In Exodus - God saves, in NT Jesus saves.  He saves from sin and death (Rom 6:23, 6:7).   The human condition calls for salvation. 

Sin ₌ breaking of relationship, alienation from God – Jesus interested in the sinner and not sin.  He saves from Satan (all that is opposed to God), from the burden of Law (Gal 3:13)

Human beings have the sense of sinfulness, limitedness, woundedness, helplessness and soiled.  Sin = heartlessness, Godlessness, humanlessness. 

Original sin – A state of being – reality of limitedness, powerlessness etc. 

Answers to challenges – objective and subjective salvation, freedom, already and not yet, struggle, saving significance.

Unique and Universal Saviour – Identity of Jesus, salvation for all (whole cosmos)

Story of Jesus – Virginal conception and birth, God’s intervention, human co-operation, incarnation = self- revelation of God – Assuming human nature, Jesus is more Levitical than Davidic from the mother’s side.  His brothers and sisters in Jewish understanding can mean many things.  He is the carpenter, charismatic itinerant preacher.  He had his mission from the heart of God.  He is mission – Mission Manifesto (Lk 4:18-19, Is 61: 1-4).

He experience baptism and temptations.  Jesus sided with the poor.  His ministry is in three phases.  (i) Galilean Ministry – Multiplication of loaves, (ii) In Jerusalem – both preaching and teaching. Whom? – Not educated ones. How? – With authority, in word and deed, in parables (Mk 4:10-11, Mk 13:10-11) and (ii) Judean Ministry. 

Parable = Greek parabola = Heb mashal = wise sayings.  The summary of Jesus’ teaching is in Mk 1:14-15). 

Good news that Jesus preaches, Good News that he is, Good News that Apostles preach and Good News that is written.

Kingdom of God – Greek Basileia tou thou Heb = Malkuth Yahweh.  It has little to do with territory – based on historical context, revealer and the revealed is the same – it is more of reconciliation, relationship – kingdom not only worldly but also spiritually.  Kingdom is a gift.  Kingdom demands metanoia = conversion of heart, already and not yet.  Miracles reveal it.  Resurrection is the miracle of miracles.  His message is universal.

New Testament Christologies – We know Jesus from the Gospels – edited work.  Gospel = evangelion = good news. 

Matthew -  (9:9, 10:3) – Jewish outlook – titles like Son of God, Son of David.  – Birth, Baptism, transfiguration and death.  Also ecclesiastical importance (16:18, 18:17). New Covenant – new Moses. 

Mark – Written for persecuted Jews outside Palestine (Nero died in 68 AD) – made use of Christological titles like Son of God, Son of Man, Suffering Servant, Lord etc.  Half of it devoted to miracles.  Messianic secret Because it was premature – they would make him king – political times and they would misunderstand his mission (8:10, 9:9, 1:34, 3:32, 5:43, 7:36)

Luke - Gentile audience – sit im leven – Gospel of mercy, poor, women – the lost son parable, lost coin, Samaritan etc (Lk 15).  He continues his description in Acts.

John – It is highly theological in content – Made use of dualism.  There are four movements – Pre-existence, incarnation, Glorification and faith.  Also famous for his Ego eimi sayings.

Paul – Soteriological in character, the word Gospel used for the first time, Christ = mystery.  Kerygma and Confession or witness were important.  The proclaimer becomes the proclaimed. 

HISTORICAL JESUS AND THE CHRIST OF FAITH

Historical Jesus is the object of Historical Critical Method (HCM).  The Christ of Faith is what we know about Jesus is through faith experience, faith witness, based on historical facts but interpreted in the light of faith. 

Gospels are not biographies or eyewitness but a testimony of a faith living community.  The real Jesus cannot be known, cannot be proved but interpreted.  He is much more. 

History of Christology – The NT Christology is of Apostolic and post apostolic origin – flashback Christology.  There were many Christological heresies during patristic fathers (2-7 cent AD)

Heresies

1. Docetism – Gk Dokein = to seem, to appear – prevalent during the 1^st century. Teachings – It affirms that Jesus is not a human being but he appears to be.  Ignatius of Antioch defended the      church against Docetism and affirmed the true humanity of Jesus.
2. Adoptionism – (Paul of Samosatta) – Jesus is adopted son of God, not a natural son.
3. Sabellianism (Sabellus) – The Son and Spirit are only models or modes of appearance of the Father.
4. Arianism – (Arius – Alexandrian priest) – he denied the humanity of Jesus.  Jesus is a creature.  Therefore, subordinated to the Father.  It was condemned by the First council of Niceae (325).  Jesus is defined as homousious i.e., of the same substance with the Father.  Now the term used is consubstantial with the Father.
5. Appolinarism (Appolinarius of Laodiceae) – Jesus has only one soul i.e., divine Soul.  He assumed human body at incarnation but it does not have a human soul.  He tried to defend the Nicean Creed but end up in denial of the humanity of Jesus.  Without human soul he cannot be a human being.  Constantinople I (381) condemned it. It affirmed that Jesus has a human soul as well.
6. Nestorianism (Nestorius of Constantinople) – It affirms the duality of persons in Jesus Christ.  Mary is only Christotokos = bearer of Christ, she is not theotokos = bearer or carrier of God.  The Council of Ephesus condemned it.  Mary is rightly called theotokos as well.
7. Monophysitism (Eutyches) – mono = one, and physis = nature, Physeis = natures.  The humanity of Jesus was absorbed into the divinity making him of one nature.  Human nature was swallowed up when he assumed humanity.  The Council of Chalcedon (451) condemned it.  It affirmed the two natures in Christ.  Also the Constantinople II (553) reaffirmed the full divinity and humanity in Jesus through hypostatic union that preserved the two natures in one person. 
8. Monothelitism (Sergius of Constantinople) – Theles = Will – There is only one will in Jesus i.e., divine will.  Human will is denied. Therefore he is not a human being because he has no will.
9. Monoenergism – one action in Christ.  Christ has only one action i.e., divine action. The council of Constantinople III (680) condemned monothelitism and monoenergism.  It affirmed that Jesus has two wills and two actions. 

All these heresies were caused by the confusion of terms.  Physis = nature, ousia = Substance, Hypostasia = individual, Prosopon = person.  They were used interchangeably.  This was put an end by the Council of Chalcedon by defining that there are two natures (physis) in one person (prosopon) of the subsistence (hypostasis) of Jesus. 

Subsistence = unique to each person of the Trinity.

Substance = common to all persons of the Trinity. 

Prosopon = (personal in Latin) means a mask used in stage. 

The Alexandrian school of theologians stressed on the Divinity of Jesus – Cyril and Origin (Christology from above).

Antioch School stressed on Humanity of Jesus – Nestorius, Theodore (Ascending Christology i.e., anthropos logos).

Alexandrian find support in John’s Gospel – St. Thomas, Karl Barth

Antioch finds support in the Synoptics – Panenberge, Karl Rahner, Schillebeekx.

Middle Ages – St. Thomas and Bonaventure – philosophical view – stressed on divinity. 

St. Anselm – why did God become man? Cur Deus homo? – Ransom to devil.

Reformation – Luther rejected speculative, metaphysical and Thomistic.  He stressed on return to the Scripture and Tradition of St. Augustine.  They reduced Christology to soteriology = Who is Jesus for us.

Calvin – He followed Luther.  He stressed on mediatorship or redeemer.

Modern Liberal Protestant Theologians – they were influenced by enlightenment, Philosophy, existentialism of Martin Heideger, Spinoza and others. Soteriology = Christology. 

Modern times – influenced by Science, technology, electronic revolution, mass media, industrial revolution, Changes in cultural, political economical aspects, psychology, Marxism and evolutionism of Charles Darwin.  Mysteries discussed and debated.  Shift from Divinity to humanity centered Christology. 

Contemporary – Karl Rahner, Hans Kung and John Suprimano speak more on the humanity of Jesus especially his ministry.  They healed the split between soteriology and Christology by constructing on the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Christology ever old, ever new, open to change

There are also liberation, tribal, dalit, feminist and cosmological (Teilhard De Chardin) christologies.  

Karl Rahner – He used the transcendental method – Christ is the key to interpret human.  Human being by himself cannot transcend.  Incarnation and resurrection are centered of Christology. 

W. Panenberg - Historical approach to an event to solve the enigma (problem) of human life.  Historical consummation anticipated in Christ. 

E. Schillebeekx - Reconstruction of the ministry of Jesus centering on kerygmatic aspect of kingdom of God.  Christ is the point of encounter.  He is the divine way of being human and the human way of being divine.

Hans Kung – emphasis on human Jesus.  Human = Jesus.  Prototype of humanity.

Gerard O’collins – centers on resurrection – traditionalistic approach to humanity.

JESUS ON GOD

Jn 20:28, 1:1, 1:18, Heb 1:3, 8-9, Rom 9:5, Phil 2:6, Tit 2:13, 2Pet 1:1, 1Jn 5:20, Col 1:19, 2:9.  Ego emi sayings are reflection of Ex 3:14 – self-definition of Jesus.  Jesus as Lord (Kyrios) or in Hebrew Adonai only after the resurrection (1 Cor 16:22, Rev 22:20).  Jesus as the Son of God – not so much title but a relationship to his Father – unique relationship.  He is the natural descendant (huios) – the Son/ the Beloved (Mk 13:35-36, Mt 11:27, 28:19, Jn 3:16-18). Pais, paidos = children,  and Tekna = sons.  Sons of God can be many things, can be heroes, emperors of Egypt were called sons of God (Gen 6:2, Deut 32:8, Job 2:1-6, Ps 29:1, 89:6, Ex 4:22, Jer 31:9). 

Abba consciousness – Mk 14:36, Mt 26:39, Lk 22:42 – the context is in agony – intimacy.  Abh = Father.  Abba = O Father (vocative case).

Logos Christology – Jn 1:1-18.  Logos = being or function, or knowledge or wisdom, understanding, reason, mind etc.  Philo of Alexandria used it – background was Hellenistic – pre- Jewish literature.  He was a Jewish theologian – combined Jewish theology with stoic philosophical idea of divine reason which is Logos and immanent spirit that pervades the universe.  He combined Platonic world of ideas (intermediary beings) with Jewish monotheism.  Therefore logos of Philo is a real being (personal agent) distinct from God who acts as an intermediary between God and man. 

Wisdom – Sophia (in Gk), and sapientia (in Latin) = logos as agent of creation (Wis 9:1-1-9, Prov 8:23-30).  John took this idea from Philo.  Jesus = God’s Word, communication, self-expression, mediator, revealer, Word spoken.  Word = inculturated term (Om in Hinduism).  Logos understood by both Jews and Greeks.  Logos theology is a descended theology – John’s – Logos = personal identity i.e., Jesus Christ.  Through incarnation we know Jesus as a human being.  Incarnation = enfleshment.  (caro = flesh).  In Greek it is Sarx.

In Hebrew, Flesh = whole person (1 Jn 4:2-3), the whole human form.  Incarnation is the history of God becoming man (Jn 1:14).  Faith in incarnation is fundamental to Christianity.  God becoming man is the basic statement in Christology as says by Karl Rahner.  It is timelessness entering time.  Becoming man without ceasing to be God (Col 1:15-17).  Humanity was added to Him.

Avatara = to appear, to become embodied.  Incarnation is reality. 

Convergents – Both show God closeness to human beings, putting on forms, human need divine encounter, Initiative by divine. 

Divergents – (i) Avatara are many while Incarnation is only one. (ii) Avatara is only manifestations while Incarnation is not mere manifestation but real God.  (iii) Avatars are repeated while Incarnation is not repeated but once and for all.  (iv) No Avatar dies for human salvation or universal salvation.  Therefore, there is no parallelism, they are two different realities. 

SON OF MAN

It occurred 70 times in the Synoptics and a dozen times in John.  Hebrew bar nasha = any person.  Jesus used it as self-designation. 

Context – Speaking about his human condition (Mt 8:20, Lk 9:5-8), when authority was questioned (Mk 2:10,28), regarding super human powers (Mt 9:6, Lk 5:24), Messianic mission (Lk 19:10), Passion and death (Mt 12:14, Mk 9:3, Lk 9:44), eschatological coming (Mk 14:62, Dan 7:13-14).  This is the Messianic Secret of the synoptics. 

Theandric nature (one person with two natures) – Theo = God, andropos = human being.  Theandric is an adjective.  Nature = intrinsic mode of being.  Being human is becoming human.  Humanity = being limited, wounded, helpless etc – particular aspect.  The universal aspect is rationality.

Jesus is fully human – homousius – experiences its fullness, limitations and ignorance (Mt 2:26, 13:32, 1 Sam 21:1-6 – the king was Abimelec not Abiathar.  Mk 12: 36 – Psalm 110 as David’s Psalm, which is not true – agony in the garden.  He is truly human – not in disguise but genuine.  He is uniquely human – divine person in human. He is the paradigm of human – the epitome of all that a human being is – truth, goodness, model, archetype of all that is human. 

Divinity of Jesus – Our concept of divine depends on our human situation i.e., God above – principle of order, beyond the law.  God within – core of one’s being.  God before – liberator and God in relationship – I and thou. 

Jesus the Divine – Divine = the beyond, more to God than we think, Karl Rahner speaks of openness to the Divine.  Jesus = revealer of God – unless he is a divine resider how can he reveal.  He leads to eternal life because he is eternal himself.  There is more to humanity that we articulate, more to God than we articulate.  Jesus bridged the gap – He is the point of encounter.

One two natures – Person – Boethius (6^th cent) = A person is the individual substance of a rational nature.  St. Thomas took it up = different from animal – thinking being capable to love.  Individual is one who is undivided in himself and divided from others.  Modern philosophers added freedom, self-identity, self-consciousness and autonomy. 

The person of Jesus Christ – He is an individual being having unique personhood.  Human nature is added.  Human being without human personhood? – we speak of levels of being – higher is the being, higher the identity, consciousness.  Divine is the highest.  Therefore, logos assumed human nature without human personhood.  Personhood is deeper than nature.  Human characteristics and individual qualities come under the level of nature.  In level of life, God is the highest.  The personal identity of Jesus is understood in relationship to his Father.

Jesus was an individual, a rational being who existed and acted in relationship to God, human being and who has a personal identity (Logos).

How are they united? – Through Hypostatic union.  It was defined by the Council of Chalcedon (two natures in one person of Christ)

Christ exists in two natures (divine and human) each of which retains its characteristics because Christ is one.  The divinity of Jesus is not replaced by his humanity neither is the humanity absorbed in the divinity.  What belongs to each of these natures is reserved, merging into one unique prosopon (person).

It is the union between full divinity and full humanity in the one person of Christ, which occurred at the moment of the incarnation.

In virtue of this union, Jesus is both God and man.  As God he is homouius with the Father and as man he is born of the same substance of his mother, therefore, one in substance with all human beings.  

Humanity of Jesus is not independent but subsists in the personhood of the logos.  This is called enhypostasia by Leontius of Byzantium. 

Divine human Jesus because he has two wills and two actions attributed to a person not nature.  All his actions are theandric. 

Exist = accident existing.  Subsists = existing in its own right.  His actions are divine and human but belonging to the one person of Christ.  There must be something in the human that is divine.  There is a huge ontological gulf between them but they are not opposed and exclusive to each other.  Day – night, light – darkness, south – north, left – right etc.  There are the two poles or dyads

Consequences of Incarnation – knowledge of Jesus – he has divine knowledge (in relationship to his Father) and human knowledge (experiential knowledge).  He has self-consciousness which is both divine and human.  He also has will which is both divine and human. 

Jesus is sinless – Not only did not sin (de facto), he could not sin (de iure).  Sin and divinity are incompatible.  Was Jesus free? – He was most free.  He has freedom from and freedom for, Freedom in being (what you are), and Freedom with others.

Freedom = fullness of being.  Being = fullness of freedom.  Fullness of love and life.  Jesus enjoyed this freedom.  Jesus is the only singular person in the history that has combined both human and divine nature. 

CHRIST BEYOND CHRISTIANITY

Jesus as unique Saviour in the pluralistic world.  God is one, creation is one, humanity is one – our Christianity bears witness to this – one saviour Jesus Christ (1 Tim 2:3-6, Heb 8:6, 9:15, 12:24, Gal 3:19-20, Act 4:12, LG 17, Mk 16:16, Acts 2:38, 3:19-20).  Christ is the sum total of revelation (Heb 1:1-3 – Jesus is the final word of the Father. The OT promises realized by his earthly life, passion, death, resurrection and identity as the Son of God (Jn 6:40, 47).

The OT sacrifices, promises, covenant fulfilled in Christ.

He is the high priest, in line with Moses, mediator, sacrifice once and for all (eucharist) which has infinite value.

Creation through Christ (Col 1:15-17, 1 Cor 1:24, 8:6, Jn 1:1-4).

Incarnation – In God-man Jesus we see the face of every man (epitome).  In every man God has become man.  The impact of Incarnation reaches to all.  Its message is universal – love your enemies

His solidarity with human being – human face of divine.  Painful humanity on the cross.  Redemption – objective redemption – eschatological fulfiller. 

Cosmic Christ – Teilhard de Chardin and John Danney.  Christ is the center of evolution. 

R. Panikkar – Christ as the head/goal of the cosmos.  Christ as the alpha and the omega (Rev 1:8, 21:6, 1:17, 2:8, 22:13, Col 1: 16-17, 18, 20). 

Is it not Christian arrogance? – It should help us to respect.  All religions speak of divine-human, human-divine, human-human, human-cosmic in order to safeguard and defend the dignity of human person.  God is not confined to any particular religion. 

Theology of Inter-religious Dialogue – This is part of human life.  A pluralistic life.  It is God’s plan – all speak of God – no religion can absolutely claim to explain Go, or human being.  Christianity cannot claim to have fullness of Truth.  Fullness of humanity comes first than religion.  Religion is for humanity and not humanity for religion.  Christian claim goes against fundamental of religion?

Christology and Religious Pluralism – Mainly in the east.  – we need an open-minded Christology – it is the human attempt to understand human face.  Revised Christology = spiritual nourishing, pastoral helpful, inter religious dialogue encouraged, partners in seeking God.

Theocentric Christology – Christocentrism is only for Christians.  Theology is for all.  It will bring all other faiths.  Christ himself was theocentric (Jn 17:21) – I and the Father are one. 

Inter-religious Dialogue – it is not to distil down the doctrine for the sake of accommodating other faiths but for sharing, bearing witness, to enrich and to be enriched.  It is not for theological or ideological confrontation but heart to heart sharing – source of mutual enrichment and enlightenment. 

We are all pilgrims, seakers.  All religions seek God.  Christianity’s mission is to continue this search.  No religion is perfect, all seek meaning of life.

If you are an authentic believer of your religion, it will take you to the very heart of other religions.  In relationship to other religions you understand your own religion.  In entering inter-religious dialogue, we can preach Christ more authentically.  The kingdom of God is bigger than the Church.

Historical – It is factual and real.  It happened in history.  It answers what, when, and where?  It deals with the past.  This is Jesus in or of history.

Historic – it is a famous event.  Jesus affects the course of history.  He takes human destiny with his destiny.  What has he done to humanity.  This is Jesus thro’ and for history. 

Definitive – means decisive, unconditional and final.