Fundamentals OF Faith 2 Reviewer (1ST Quarter) - C PDF

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FUNDAMENTALS OF FAITH 2 © angelica garcia

Faith    

Submission of the whole being of man to the God who reveals. Submission to the Word that has been heard, hence, ob-audire or “to listen and to follow” Assurance of things hoped for and conviction of things not seen. Is not contrary to reason.

Capacity for God  God planted the desire to know Him then and there.  Desire for God is planted in the human heart.  God reveals and man answers in faith. Meanings of the Different Definitions of Faith (as mentioned above) 1. Submission of the whole being of man to the God who reveals. - Anybody who wants to believe needs a heart that is ready to listen. (1 Kings 3:9)  God initiates the call. - All parts of the human body represent something that is connected to faith. (Dimensions of faith)  Doctrine: Mind  Faith is informative  Scriptures: writings are being developed  Worship: Heart  Faith is performative  How you converse with God through symbols or rituals  Morals: Will  Faith is transformative  Application of doctrine and worship  Parables and beatitudes  Beatitudes: perfect human attributes/attitudes 2. Submission to the Word that has been heard, hence, ob-audire or “to listen and to follow” (CCC 144) - In the Jewish tradition, the heart symbolizes our deepest self. We listen to the person we trust with the core of our being. - The people that we trust the most, the people we give our whole being. “I Believe…”  Has a 2-fold reference: a. In whom I have believed.  Complete trust to God. b. To the truth that the person reveals to me.  Complete trust to the truths that God says to you.

Believing 1. I believe to the one God sent. God said to listen to what the Son has to say. - “No one has ever seen God, the only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, has made Him known.” (John 1:18)  Shows the intimacy between the Father and the Son. -

Back in Jesus‟ time, He committed 2 political crimes: a. Blasphemy – when Jesus prays, He calls the Father as “Abba” which is a biological term for “father” b. Treason – when the emperor asked if he was the king of the Jews, he said “I am what you say that I am.”

2. I believe to the Spirit who reveals to us who Jesus is. (CCC 152) - “No one can say Jesus is Lord except in the Holy Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:3) - Role of the Spirit is to inspire our heart and mind to tell that Jesus is indeed the Lord. - In the Sacrament of Confirmation, we are being confirmed as soldiers of Christ and as soldiers, we receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit to help us in our mission. 3. I believe in the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit - The church never ceases to proclaim this Trinitarian belief. Characteristics of Faith 1. Faith is a Grace (A gift from God) [CCC 153] - Faith is a gift from God. God is always the one who initiates the first move. - Before faith can be exercised, man must have the grace of God to move and assist him. He must have the interior help of the Holy Spirit who moves heart and converts it to God, who open the eyes of the mind and makes it easy for all to accept and believe in the truth. 2. Faith is a Human Act. [CCC 154] - To trust God is not contrary in reason.

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Any human person has: a. Intellect – he/she is knowledgeable of his acts. He knows the ramifications and consequences of his actions. b. Will – he/she makes his/her personal decisions as his/her own. It is submitting human will to God‟s will. c. Voluntariness – he/she is free to respond.

3. Faith is to Understand [CCC 156-159] - “I believe in order to understand, and I understand the better to believe.” (St. Augustine) - We believe because: a. God does not lie and so our faith is certain.  It is not in God‟s nature to lie. b. God performs in words and deeds and sends His Holy Spirit that we may grow and sustain in our faith  God had external proof/support that can be understood with the help of the Spirit. c. God makes us seek Him more.  “Oh Lord, I seek you for I thirst…”

 It is in our natural design to know God even more. 4. Faith is Free [CCC 160] - We are bound to God in conscience but not coerced.

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Jesus bore witness to the truth but He never imposed it to those who are against it. We can be true to our nature if we are true to our design.

5. Faith is necessary to Salvation [CCC 161]

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Faith is our ticket to eternal friendship with God.

6. Faith is to Persevere [CCC 162] - Faith can be lost in the rejection of conscience. It has to be continuously nourished by the Word of God. 7. Faith is the Beginning of Eternal Life and is always put by Evil to test [CCC 163-165] - Faith is to advance in our goal, which is to see God face to face.  This is what St. Thomas called the “beatific vision” - Experience of evil, injustice, suffering, oppression, and death can shake our faith

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When clouded in judgment, we turn to the witnesses of faith, most especially to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.

8. Faith is Personal but not an Isolated Act [CCC 166]

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Your faith has been received from others You are in a link of chain of believers Through the Church, we receive our faith and new life in Christ in baptism. Faith offers us eternal life.

Remember:  Salvation is from God alone, but because we receive our life of Faith through our Church, she is our mother and teacher. - The Church teaches us to speak, to understand, and to communicate, and to guard our faith.  Communion in faith needs a common language in faith. Creed  Syntheses of faith - Every apostle contributed in the making of the creed, that‟s why the creed has 12 articles.  Symbols of faith - The Greek word symbolon means half of a broken object presented as a token of recognition, or a gathering, collection, or summary. - It is a sign of recognition and communion of believers.  Gathered from the scriptures  Use as an identity to shape our life forever.  Recited in baptism.  Also recited in between the mass. (between the liturgy of the Word and the liturgy of the Eucharist)  Must be recited within communion because you are reciting what the apostles have defended.  The devil cannot recite the apostle‟s creed.  Can be a form of protection

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The creed is our spiritual seal, our heart‟s meditation, and our ever-present guardian. It is unquestionably, the treasure of our soul. (St. Ambrose)

Parts of the Creed 1. First Divine Person and the wonderful work of creation 2. Second Divine Person and the mystery of His redemption 3. Third Divine Person, the origin and source of our sanctification  The parts are distinguished by the articles - 12 = we stand by the faith of our apostles Creeds  There are many creeds, but there are 2 creeds that occupy a special place in the life of the Catholic Church. 1. Apostles Creed - Faithful summary of the Apostles‟ faith - The ancient baptismal symbol of the Church of Rome - It is the oldest symbol of faith and baptismal formulae. - It was formed by the early successors of the apostles. 2. Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed or Nicene Creed - Creed used by both Churches in the west (Roman Catholics) and East (Orthodox Catholics) - The Apostles creed was questioned centuries after, thus the ecumenical council gathered to address the issue. - Draws great authority from the first two ecumenical councils in Nicea in 325 CE and in Constantinople in 381 CE  Ecumenical Council – gathering of bishops from all over the world. In the council, issues on faith and morals are discussed.  Example of an ecumenical council is the Vatican II (1962-1965)  Currently, there are 20+ councils Why does our Credo begin with God? (CCC 198-199)  “I believe in God”  First affirmation of the creed  The anchor of the succeeding articles in the creed  The most fundamental  It speaks of man and the natural world in relation to God Attributes of God 1. God is One (CCC 200-202) - The attribute, one, is inserted in the Nicene Creed.  It has roots in the divine revelation of the old covenant. - It is inseparable from the profession of God‟s existence.  It means God in one nature, substance and essence. - The Old Testament creed emphasized monotheism.  The O.T. creed is called “Shema” which means “hear”  “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord; and you shall love the Lord with all your heart, and with all your strength, and with all your might.” (Deuteronomy 6: 4-5) - In the New Testament, Jesus fulfills the Shema. - To believe that Jesus is the Lord is not contrary to monotheism. To believe that the Holy Spirit is the Lord and Giver of Life is not a cause for division either. - “He who has seen me, has seen the Father.” (John 14:9)  Affirms the intimacy and oneness of the Son with the Father

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“I will pray the Father and He will give you another counselor to be with you forever.” (John 14:16) - “Oneness” is not invented. It is how God revealed Himself in the O.T. - Bishops arrived at the notion that God is one through the Scriptures. OUSIA PERSONA PROSŌPON (Greek) (Latin) (Greek) Being or nature Concrete appearance Individual substance of a Particular individual rational nature (Baethius, 6th CE)

2. God is Living - God expressed His essence and identity by revealing His name.  When God disclosed His name, He became more accessible and personal. - “I am who I am. Say this to the people of Israel. I am has sent me to you.” (Exodus 3:14) - “I am who I am” is a mystery both revealed and refused, and is expressed by operations: a. Infinitely above everything – God is at the top of the hierarchy of beings. b. Hidden – can only be known with time c. Indescribable – a mystery d. Close to humanity – also immanent (with us) - “I am who I am” is a mystery that exhibits faithfulness. God‟s faithfulness is manifested in the past and the future.  When the Hebrew letters of God‟s name are read: YHWH  “I am the God of your father Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” (Exodus 3:6)  “But I will be with you.” (Exodus 3:12) - Out of respect, YHWH is substituted by Adonai or Kyrios which both mean “Lord.”  Adonai – Hebrew  Kyrios – Greek and Latin - “I am who I am” is a mystery that exhibits mercy and grace.  Even after His people turned their backs away from Him, God continues to express goodness to His people.  God is always at the receiving end.  “YHWH, YHWH a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.” (Exodus 34:5-6; 34: 9) 3. God alone Is - God is the fullness of Being and of every perfection. He is the Alpha and the Omega. - God is the fullness of truth. Truth is His wisdom. His words and promises are true. He does not deceive.  “The Son of God has come and has given us understanding, to know Him who is true.” (1 John 5:20)  The teaching that comes from God is true instruction. When He sent His Son, it is to bear witness to the truth. - God is Love. This is the only motive why He reveals. That we may share in His very being, which is love.  “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.” (John 3:16)  When God revealed Himself, He revealed His innermost secret, which is the Trinitarian communion of giving and receiving love. Trinitarian God  Revealed from the Scriptures and Tradition  It is one of the mysteries that are hidden in God, which can only be known unless revealed by God.  Jesus was the one who revealed about the Trinitarian God.

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Explicit during His baptism and transfiguration. As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. At that moment, heaven opened and He saw the spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on Him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased.”

Do many religions call God as “Father?”  The Church recognizes that many religions invoke God as “Father”  Being called “Father” in the language of faith indicates two things about God: 1. God is the first origin of everything and is a transcendent authority. 2. He is good and loving to all of His children. Revelation 1. Revelation of the Father through Jesus - “No one knows the Son except the Father and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal Him.” (Matthew 11:27)  Affirms eternal existence of the Son with the Father  The Son has long existed before Jesus of Nazareth came to existence. Jesus of Nazareth is a historical figure. - Jesus revealed God as Father not only in being a Creator; He is eternally Father in relation to His Son, who is externally Son only in relation to His Father. - The apostles‟ confession = apostolic tradition - “In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God.” (John 1:1) - “The image of the invisible God.” (Colossians 1:15) - Tradition says: a. The Son is consubstantial with the Father. (Council of Nicea, 325 CE) b. The Son is the only-begotten Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, light from light, true God from true God, begotten not made, consubstantial with the Father. (Council of Constantinople, 381 CE) SUBSTANTIA HOMOOUSIOUS (Latin) Homo – One/same A reality existing by itself. Usious – nature/being Substance; nature One in being; CONSUBSTANTIAL 2. Revelation of the Spirit through the Father and Jesus - “and I will pray the Father and He will give you another counselor to be with you forever.” (John 14:16) - “But the counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father send in my name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” (John 14:26) - The eternal origin of the Holy Spirit is revealed in time. The Spirit is sent to the apostles and to the Church both by the Father and by the Son in person. - Tradition says: a. The Holy Spirit is the Lord and giver of life, who proceeds from the Father. (Council of Constantinople, 381 CE) b. The Holy Spirit, the third person in the Trinity is God, one and equal with the Father and the Son, of the same substance and nature. He is the Spirit of the Father and the Son. (Council of Toledo XI, 675 CE) Creation  The foundation of “all God‟s saving plans” that culminates in Christ  Concerns the very foundation of human and Christian life. It answers the fundamental questions of human existence.

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Human reasoning ascertains the existence of God the creator. The work of the Holy Trinity - Though the creation is attributed to the Father, our faith teaches that He did this indivisibly together with God the Son and the Holy Spirit.

God – “The Creator of Heaven and Earth”  The creation of the world and man witness to: His almighty love and His wisdom – the glory of God.  God created the world out of His wisdom and love, „out of nothing,‟ freely, directly, and without any help.  The world was created “for the glory of God” – the realization, manifestation, and communication of His goodness. God created an orderly and good world. God upholds and sustains creation. Divine Providence  God carries out His plan  The universe was created in a state of journeying (in statu viae) toward an ultimate perfection yet to be attained, to which God has destined it.  “Divine Providence” refers to the dispositions which God guides His creation towards this perfection. Genesis  It is the first book in the Bible that means “origin,” “beginning,” “source,” and “creation.”  It is not a scientific book. It does not give scientific accounts of the origin of the world and humankind. Genesis 1:1-2:3  The first account of creation  The account gives a description on how God created the universe in six days and rested on the seventh day.  The creation story is a myth for it used imaginative symbols that pertain to a particular reality. - Myth is a literary form used in the Bible as an “imaginative story that uses symbolism to speak about reality.” Debunking the Understanding that the Creation Account was written by Adam and Eve  The creation story was written during the Babylonian exile  Israelites were not united, thus causing them to be invaded by the Babylonians. Since they were captured, their morale was low.  Someone got inspired and thus created the creation story. The Creation Story became an inspiration for the Israelites.  The Creation Story made us of Babylonian and Mesopotamian symbols. Creation Accounts FIRST CREATION ACCOUNT Theological Biblical Support Understanding God is the Origin of Life All of God‟s creations are holy The human person is the summit/crown of

Genesis 1:1 7 times Genesis 1:26

SECOND CREATION ACCOUNT Theological Biblical Support Understanding The human person and natural world are Genesis 2:15 interrelated There is unity in the Genesis 2:7 Body and Soul The paradise that Genesis 2:9-14 awaits us is harmony of

God‟s visible creation The human person is responsible for creation Man and Woman are co-equals and cocreators of life God made “rest” as holy

Genesis 1:28

Genesis 1:28

all beings The human person is responsible over creation. Man and Woman are co-equals and cocreators of life

Genesis 2:20;2:15

Genesis 2:21-24

Genesis 2:3

Points on the First Account 1. God is the Origin of Everything, especially life - God is the creator as well as the final goal of everything that exist. 2. Creation is Orderly and Good - Each creature possesses its own particular goodness and perfection 3. Humankind is the Summit of God‟s Creation 4. The Human Person is responsible for Creation - Humans are stewards over God‟s creation - “It is the duty of all who look to God as the Creator to protect the environment by restoring a sense of reverence for the whole of creation.” (Pope Saint John Paul II) 5. Human Sexuality and Procreation belong to the Divine Order of Creation - Humans therefore share the divine acts of procreating life (Boadt 73) 6. Rest is Godly - “God rested on the seventh day from all the work he has undertaken.” - For the Biblical order, this is the origin of the Sabbath. - God‟s creative work includes a day of rest. Second Account of Creation  It emphasizes God‟s relationship to all human being represented by the figures of Adam and Eve. - Adam = man or human - Eve = living for she is symbolically the mother of all living people. Man in the “Image of God”  The human individual… - Possesses dignity of a person. - Capable of self-knowledge, self-possession, and of freely giving himself and entering into communion with others. - Called by grace to a covenant with his Creator, to offer Him a response of faith and love that no other creature can give. Points on the Second Account 1. There is an intimate connection between the land and the human beings 2. The human being is both body and soul - The human being has the divine breath which is the cause of life. - “Body and Soul but Truly One” (CCC 363-365)  Soul – innermost aspect of man; spiritual principle in man

 Body – animated by the spiritual soul  The soul is the form of the Body. The Body, made of matter becomes a living human body because of the Spiritual Soul.  Spirit and matter, in man, are not 2 natures united but forms a single nature. 3. Eden is the original locale of human beings - Paradise is a picture of harmony between God and human beings, one human beings with another, of human beings and the world. - “Man in Paradise” (CCC 374-376, 378)  Established in friendship with his Creator, himself, and with the creation around him.  Original state of holiness and justice  Work is not seen a burden but rather a collaboration with God in perfecting the visible creation. 4. Humans have the vocation to care for and cultivate the world - Whatever the man called each of them would be its name… - The power to name possessed by the one who has power to rule. (Flagan 12) 5. Man and Woman complement each other - “Woman was not taken from man‟s head to be ruled by him or from his feet to be trampled by him but from near his side to walk beside him.” - “Male and Female, He created them…”  Each for the other: created to be a communion of persons, a...