1. Fundamental Theology
C ourse Objective s
y to make known the fundamental Christian Faith to the second year college
students of Don Bosco Technical College in a way that is simple and
understandable;
y to make reflections on their own about their Christian faith;
y ultimately, to put it into life.
C ourse Description
This course is about the fundamental theology of the Roman Catholic
Church. It discusses contents of the Nicene Creed and the Apostles¶ Creed. It
stresses on integration and inculturation of the faith, and community±
formation.
³We will be doing Theology more than learning Theology.
C ourse E valuation
Evaluation of Grade
‡ Project / midterm 20%
‡ Final exam 25%
‡ Quizzes 25%
‡ Class participation: (Class attendance
and college mass, assignment, recitation.) 30%
‡ Total of 100%
‡ Passing 50% = 3.0
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2. C ourse Outline
I ntroduction
Part One: T he Profession of F aith
1. M an·s Desire for God
2. God Re vealing H imself to M an
y H istory of G od re vealing H imself
3. M an·s re sponse to God.
Part T wo: T he Profession of the C hristian F aith
1. I Believe in God the F ather
a. I Believe in God
b. T he F ather
c. T he C reation and F all of M an
2. I Believe in J esus C hrist, the Only Son of God
a. T he I ncar nate Word
b. T he Person of J esus
c. T he T hreefold mission of J esu s
3. I Believe in the H oly Spirit
a. T he H oly Spirit
b. T he One, H oly, C atholic and Apostolic C hurch
c. T he C ommunion of Saints
d. T he forgivene ss of Sins
e. T he Resurrection of the Body
f. L ife E verlasting
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3. Apostles· Creed The Nicene·s Creed
€ €
€ I believe in God, the Father almighty, We believe in one God,
€
creator of heaven and earth. the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
€ I believe in Jesus Christ, His only € We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
Son, our Lord, the only son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
one being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
€ He was conceived by the power of € For us men and for our salvation
the Holy Spirit, and he came down from heaven:
born of the Virgin Mary, by the power of the Holy Spirit
he was born of the Virgin Mary,
and became man.
€ He suffered under Pontius € For our sake he was crucified under
Pilate, Pontius Pilate;
was crucified, died, and was he suffered, died, and was buried.
buried;
he descended to the dead.
€ On the third day he rose again; € On the third day he rose again
in fulfillment of the Scriptures;
€ He ascended into heaven, € He ascended into heaven
he is seated at the right hand of the and is seated at the right hand of the
Father. Father.
He will come again to judge the He will come again in glory to judge the
living and the dead. living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
€ I believe in the Holy Spirit, € We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the
giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son
he is worshipped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.
€ the holy catholic church, € We believe in one holy catholic and
the communion of saints, apostolic Church.
€ the forgiveness of sins, € We acknowledge one baptism for the
the resurrection of the body, forgiveness of sins.
and the life everlasting. We look for the resurrection of the dead,
AMEN. and the life of the world to come.
AMEN.
3

4. Introduction
³Fools say in their hearts, ³There is no God´.´ - (Psalm 14:1)
Have you ever wonder why do we know that there is a God?
Have you ever wonder why do we desire God?
Have you ever wonder how do we come to know about God?
The answers are plain and simple. We know that there is a God because God made it so. We desire
God because God created us. We come to know about God because God reveals Himself to us in
many ways. In short, because God desires it.
Why are we here? Why am I here? Why are you here?
What is my purpose? What is the purpose of life?
We can have as many answers as we can from the above questions. Answers come along as we
journey in this path called life. But our answers will never be enough until we come to the one
ultimate answer of our life GOD. Believe it or not, only God can satisfy us. People have been
looking for God in other things and other persons but they have not been successful. They have not
been put to contentment. Only in God we can see God. In Him we discover who we really are. In
Him we can discover what our purpose is.
Is faith necessary?
Why do we need to study our Christian faith?
Why do we need to live by faith?
There is the universal desire of man and woman to be happy. No man or woman in his/her right
mind who wishes to be sad. In fact, all activities of man and woman have their one and ultimate
end, that is, to be happy.
Man and woman have tried since the very beginning to find their happiness on the things of this
world. Yet, they have never found happiness that will satisfy them and will give them contentment
and fulfillment that will last until the end.
God, in his goodness and love has revealed Himself to man and woman. He has shown them the
way, the truth and the life to attain and obtain such kind of happiness, that is, everlasting joy. And
this is found only in God. Such revelation of God to man has made man long and desire for God. God
has come to meet man and man s life is to meet God. To know, to love and to serve God are the
primary purposes of man s existence. Only then man is truly happy because he is created by God
Himself.
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5. To be happy is to have fullness of life, to have eternal life. How can a man be happy if life is
miserable, full of emptiness? Happiness is to know God, the only true God, and Him whom you
sent, Jesus Christ (cf. Jn.17:3).
The answers to the questions above are all affirmative; YES. Why? , because we are human beings;
human persons who desire to be happy, and to have it always. If you want to be happy, to be joyful,
and have it always, faith is necessary. Why? , because faith leads us to embrace the God whom we
do not see and touch. Faith leads us to accept and obey the commands of God whom we do not
hear by our ears. But faith is not only a feeling or idea, it has its content, thus, faith must be studied.
How can one appreciate something that he does not know? We need to know our faith. And to
know means we have to give effort and burn energy to learn our faith content. But faith alone is not
enough. What is the use of faith without practicing it? We have to practice it (cf. James 2:14-17).
Only then we can fully attain lasting happiness and joy.
FAITH
God Reveals Himself:
o In Creation
The World
The Human Person Do you want to see God? Look at the human
person. God created us in His own image and likeness. Conscience.
o In Scripture
o In the Church
o In Other Religions
o Christ: Fullness of Revelation
Our Response
o We Believe
Faith is human person s adequate response to God
The desire of God is written in the human heart
Obedience of faith: to obey in faith is to submit freely to the word
that has been heard, because its truth is guaranteed by God, who is
Truth itself.
Abraham is the model of obedience of faith.
Mary is the most perfect embodiment of obedience of faith.
o Our Unbelief
Many people deny the existence of God.
Many people believe in God but live their lives as if God did not
exist. Many people are falling away from the practice of religion
among them are fundamentalists, activists, and charismatics.
Many people believe in God but do not worship God.
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6. I. Faith*
It is a personal adherence to God. Faith in daily life
It is a free assent to the whole truth that God has revealed.
means that we
Faith in God is different from our faith in any human person.
know, accept, and
Believe in God is also believe in Jesus Christ.
relate positively
Believe in God is also believe in the Holy Spirit.
to others,
II. Characteristics of Faith** especially the
Faith is a grace. Faith is a gift of God, a supernatural virtue mutual trust, love
infused by Him. and fidelity we
Faith is a human act. experience in
Faith is certain than all human knowledge because it is founded family and
on the very word of God who cannot lie. friendships.
Faith seeks understanding. In the words of St. Augustine I - CFC 162
believe, in order to understand; and I understand, the better to
believe.
Faith and Science: Though faith is above reason, there can never be
any real discrepancy between faith and reason. (Dei Filius 4: DS 3017).
The freedom of faith: man s response to God must be free, and
therefore nobody is to be forced to embrace the faith against his will.
The act of faith is of its very nature a free act. (DH 10; cf CIC, can 748
2.)
Faith is necessary.
Perseverance in Faith.
Faith is the beginning of Eternal Life.
* CCC 144-149
** CCC 150-165
Assignment for next meeting:
1. Memorize the Apostles Creed.
2. What are your beliefs and unbeliefs in God?
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7. Introduction
Does God exist?
What makes God God?
The human person wonders: ´How come things exist?µ; ´Where do they come from?µ or ´What is
their origin?µ; ´What made them exist?µ. But aside from the questions on existence of things, the
human person continues to wonder: ´How come there is movement in this world?µ ´How come these
things start to exist and others cease to exist?µ ´How come there exist things more perfect than
others?µ ´How come there is order in the world?µ ´Do they have purpose?
For all these questions there is but one answer that can satisfy our hunger for the truth. The
answer is: there exist a being who is the origin of all things; the same being who does not depend on
others to exist and to continue his existence; the same being who has no beginning and has no end;
the same being who is most perfect; His very essence is to exist and to give existence and He is
God, the Supreme Being, the Creator of all things that exist.
THE REVELATION OF GOD
God has revealed himself to us and in many ways. This is called revelation ² God communicating to us
His very self. He has revealed Himself in creation: in the World and in the Human person. He has
written Himself in His creation. All that exist are vestiges of Him. This is general revelation,
natural revelation.
By way of reason, man has come to the knowledge of God·s existence. Moreover, man has also come
to the attainment of certain qualities of God by experiencing his surroundings and his very self. He
has come to the knowledge of God·s perfections by simply using his senses and faculties. All these
are possible because God made it so.
St. Thomas Aquinas, a renowned and brilliant
theologian and philosopher has given us ways - proofs
of God·s existence, moreover his perfections. We call
it, St. Thomas· five ways: (1) way of motion-the
Unmoved Mover, (2) way of efficient cause-the
Uncaused Cause, (3) way of contingency-The
Necessary Being, (4) way of perfection-Most Perfect
Being, (5) way of order-Most Intelligent Being.
But reason alone is not enough to know who really God is. God, knowing our limitations, personally
revealed Himself so that we can come to know who He really is. He is not a distant God but a
personal God who is very close to us. By this very reason we know God. This is special revelation,
divine revelation.
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8. What is the name of God? Who is He? What are His qualities? The sacred scriptures formed by the
Church gives us the adequate information about God as He has revealed Himself to the humanity.
Stages of Revelation
The first book of the bible ² Genesis clearly says that He is the Origin and the Creator of all that
exists. He revealed Himself to Adam and Eve. He made his covenant to Noah, to Abraham, Isaac and
Jacob (the Patriarchs), a promise that stands forever. The book of Exodus (3:14) gives us the name
of God. This is the name He replied to Moses when he asked Him: ´I AM WHO AM.µ Then he added,
´This is what you shall tell the Israelites: I AM sent me to you.µ
He continued to remember His covenant to His people Israel, sending them judges, kings and
prophets. And finally, in the fullness of time, he sent his Only Begotten Son (John 3:16) to reveal
Himself fully. This revelation is passed on from generation to generation up to this time through
the Apostles and the Church. And this revelation will be passed on from our generation to
generations of the future until God will again reveal Himself in His fullness and splendor.
The Divine Revelation is summarized in our Creed: the Apostles Creed and the Nicene Creed. From
our creed gives us the synthesis of the content of our faith. It is also the symbols of our faith.
There are three Parts of our Creed:
1. First Divine Person
± Wonderful work of Creation
2. Second Divine Person
± The mystery of redemption of men
3. Third Divine Person
± The Origin and source of Sanctification
These are the 3 chapters of our baptismal seal.
But what does it mean to say ´I believeµ? To say ´I believeµ is to say ´I pledge myself to what the
church believes.µ
What does it mean to say ´I Believe in Godµ? It means to believe in One God and not many gods; man
has been deceived without knowing it that there are many forms of god in our lives. It means to
believe in the living God and not a God who is distant and far from being reach. It means to believe
to the God who has a name ´I Am Who Amµ (YHWH) [not to be mentioned, but read as Lord] on
which meaning touches His very essence and nature. It means to believe to an imminent God who is
merciful and gracious, who alone is Truth and Love.
This belief in God has consequences in our lives, they are:
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9. ‡ It means coming to know God·s greatness and majesty.
‡ It means living in thanksgiving.
‡ It means knowing the unity and the dignity of all men.
‡ It means making good use of created things.
‡ It means trusting God in every circumstances
The Trinitarian Doctrine CFC 1326-1331
Notions/Definitions
ƒ Substance (essence/nature) to designate the divine being in its
unity.
ƒ Person (hypostasis) to designate the Father, Son and Holy Spirit
in the real distinction among them.
ƒ Relation to designate the fact that their distinction lies in the
relationship of each to the others.
The Dogma of the Trinity
ƒ The Trinity is One.
ƒ The Divine Persons are really distinct from one another.
ƒ The Three Divine Persons are equal.
The Trinity is One
ƒ Not three Gods but one God in three persons.
ƒ They do not share the one divinity among themselves but each of
them is God whole and entire:
ƒ The Father is that which the Son is, the Son is that which the Father
is, the Father and the Son that which the Holy Spirit is, i.e. by
nature One God.
The Divine Persons are Distinct
ƒ He is not the Father who is the Son, nor the Son he who is the
Father, not is the Holy Spirit he who is the Father or the Son.
ƒ God the Father is God, knowing himself.
God the Son is the expression of God s knowledge of himself.
God the Holy Spirit is the result of God s love for Himself.
ƒ God the Father is the Creator
God the Son is the Redeemer
God the Holy Spirit is the sanctifier
what One does, All do;
where One is, All are.
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10. The Three Divine Persons are Equal
ƒ God the Father does not come first, then the Son, and then the
Holy Spirit.
ƒ All three divine Persons are equally eternal, with no beginning and
no end.
ƒ God s thought and God s love are equally timeless with God s
nature.
And God the Son and God the Holy Spirit are not in any way
subordinate to God the Father. One is not more powerful, nor
wiser, nor greater than the other.
ƒ All three possess the same infinite perfection, an equality rooted in
the one divine nature which they equally possess.
TO DO: Assignment to be submitted next meeting
Who is God for you?
1. Make a reflection paper of the above theme. Put your work in a bond paper. Minimum of 1
page.
2. Format: Font: Times New Roman. Font Size: 12. margins: 1 x 1
3. No need for title page, just place your name and year and course at the upper left corner of your
paper.
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11. God as a Trinity
I. God
1. God is the only Supreme Being in all existence, places, and time. He is Holy (Rev. 4:8),
Eternal (Isaiah 57:15), Omnipotent (Jer. 32:17,27), Omnipresent (Psalm 119:7-12),
Omniscient (1 John 3:20), etc.
2. He is Love (1 John 4:8,16), Light (1 John 1:5), Spirit (John 4:24), Truth (Psalm 117:2),
Creator (Isaiah 40:12,22,26), etc.
3. He is to be worshiped (Gen. 24:26; Exodus 4:31; 2 Chron. 29:28; 1 Cor. 14:25; Rev. 7:11).
4. Christianity is monotheistic - Only one God in existence anywhere, anytime.( Isaiah
43:10; 44:6,8; 45:5,14,18,21,22; 46:9; 47:8; John 17:3; 1 Cor. 8:5-6; Gal. 4:8-9).
5. One God verses
1. Isaiah 43:10, You are My witnesses, declares the Lord, And My servant whom I
have chosen, in order that you may know and believe Me, and understand that I
am He. Before Me there was no God formed, and there will be none after Me.
2. Isaiah 44:6, Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of
hosts: I am the first and I am the last, and there is no God besides Me.
3. Isaiah 44:8, Do not tremble and do not be afraid; have I not long since
announced it to you and declared it? And you are My witnesses. Is there any
God besides Me, or is there any other Rock? I know of none.
4. Isaiah 45:5, I am the Lord, and there is no other; besides Me there is no God.
II. Trinity
1. The Trinity is one God who exists simultaneously in three persons. Each is co-equal, co-
powerful, and co-eternal with the other. Each person--Father, Son and Holy Spirit--is not
the other. Without either there is no God; all comprise the one God.
2. Analogy of the Trinity: With time, for example, the past is distinct from the present,
which is distinct from the future. Each is simultaneous. Yet, they are not three 'times,'
but one. That is, they all share the same nature: time
3. Trinitarian Verses
1. Matt. 28:19, Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them
in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
2. 1 Cor. 12:4-6, Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5And there
are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. 6And there are varieties of effects,
but the same God who works all things in all persons.
3. 2 Cor. 13:14, The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the
fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.
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12. III. Objections to the Trinity answered
1. The Word Trinity is not in the Bible.
1. Just because the word trinity is not in the Bible doesn't mean that the concept
is not taught. The word monotheism is not in the Bible, yet the Bible teaches
it (Isaiah 43:10; 44:6,8). Therefore, your criticism is invalid.
2. The Trinity is illogical
1. What law of logic is it that the doctrine of the Trinity violates? If you cannot tell
me, then your statement is meaningless. Saying it is illogical does not mean it is.
3. The Trinity is pagan
1. Saying it is pagan means nothing. The question is whether or not it is biblical.
Are there verses that show that the F., S., H.S. are each God, each indwell,
each have a will, each loves, etc.? Yes there are.
2. The F., S., H.S. are each called God (F., Phil. 1:2), (S., John 1:1,14; Col. 2:9),
(H.S., Acts 5:3-4). Each has a will (F., Luke 22:42), (S., Luke 22:42), H.S., (1 Cor.
12:11). Each is all knowing (F., 1 John 3:20), (S., John 16:30; 21:17), (H.S., 1 Cor.
2:10-11), etc.
3. Regarding the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each has a will (F., Luke 22:42), (S.,
Luke 22:42), H.S., (1 Cor. 12:11). Each speaks (F., Matt. 3:17), (S., Luke 5:20.,
(HS., Acts 8:29; 13:2).
4. The Trinity came from pagan trinities.
1. There are no trinities in pagan theology. There are triads (three gods), but no
trinities (one God in three persons). Therefore, your statement is inaccurate.
5. The Bible does not say that God is three who's and one what
1. That is correct. But the Trinity is a doctrine arrived at systematically (by looking
at the whole of scripture), not by looking at a single verse. Therefore, your
complaint is misdirected and shows you don't understand the Trinity.
6. Show me one verse in the Bible that says that God is three persons.
1. The Trinity doctrine is arrived at systematically (by looking at the whole of
scripture), not by looking at a single verse. Therefore, you won't see a single
verse that says it. Also, this demonstrates that you don't understand the Trinity,
otherwise you would not have asked that question.
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13. SIN
(CCC 386-409; 413-421; 1440; 1846-1869; 1870-1876)
Introduction:
God has a wonderful plan for humanity. Humanity has sinned. God has revealed Himself to the World
and to Humanity, and is and will continually reveal himself to mankind. He has communicated to us His
love and divine life through His creation. Finally and ultimately, He has revealed Himself in Jesus Christ,
His only Begotten Son. Through Jesus we came to know who God is a loving Trinitarian God desiring to
share His eternal love and happiness to mankind. [Cfr. CCC 387, 396]
Humanity has refused to accept this plan. Humanity has refused to love and live according to God s will.
He has chosen rather to do his own will, bringing himself to his own destruction. We call this refusal SIN.
It is an abused of freedom. It is a rejection of the Love of God and His life. Contrary to his Love and life
are sin and death. Thus, the fall of mankind lies on his refusal to God s plan. [Cfr. CCC 396, 398, 400, 401,
415]
God is real and so is sin. No man should say he has no sin for there is no man on earth so just as to do
good and never sin. (Ecclesiastes 7:20). If we say, we have no sin , the devil/Satan who is also real, has
deceived us already. It is the greatest lie that the devil can do to us. Like the lie it gave to our first
parents. But when the first sin was done, it was the only time they recognized that they have sinned
against God and His will. As a consequence, sin had taken its place. Together with sin is its punishment.
Its effect had taken root. We have experienced its effects in our lives. The world and humanity are
experiencing and suffering much from these. [Cfr. CCC 386, 389, 400, 401]
Nature of SIN
But what is sin? Where does it come from?
Sin is a moral evil, distinguished from the physical evil. Evil is the absence of good. Thus, for a human
person to be deprived of any part of his body possesses physical evil. Physical evil can be in nature when
there is chaos. When there seem the absence of good because of catastrophes and calamities. Physical
evil can be indirectly attributed to God for he has created all things in this world. And in them He has put
His eternal law. On the other hand, moral evil cannot come from God even indirectly, for He never
willed that man should do evil. This moral evil, for many times, has brought many physical evil because
of the imbalance of nature done by man. Moral evil exists because of abused freedom. Freedom that is
intended so that we can will God/desire God. It is a gift freely given by God (only to human beings). Sin
entered because of the abuse of freedom.
Thus, moral evil is directly coming from man when he refuses to do and observe the order that God has
put from the beginning of His creation. [CCC 385, 397]
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14. ORIGINAL SIN
Our first parents, by their disobedience, committed the first sin, it is called Original Sin. It is a sin
contracted, not committed - a state and not an act. It is transmitted by propagation not by imitation.
[Cfr. CCC 404, 419]
Effects or consequences of the original sin: Deprivation of original holiness and justice, Corruption of the
human nature, Subject to ignorance, Suffering and dominion of death, Inclination to sin called
concupiscence. [Cfr. CCC 402-409, 416-418]
Different Kinds of Sins
After the original sin, there committed great many kinds of sins: immorality, impurity, licentiousness, 20
idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, rivalry, jealousy, outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness, dissensions, factions, 21
occasions of envy, drinking bouts, orgies, and the like. and with this St. Paul warns us: I warn you, as I
warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Gal 5:19-21)
[cfr. CCC1852]
Sins can be distinguished according to its objects ; according to the virtues they oppose, by excess or
defect; according to the commandments they violate. Sins can be classified according to whether they
concern God, neighbor or oneself, environment. Sins can be divided into spiritual and carnal sins, or
again as sins in thought, word, deed or omission. [CCC 1853]
Where is sin rooted? For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, unchastity, theft, false
witness, blasphemy. (Matthew 15:19) [CCC 1853]
We cannot deny that there are sins which affect us and others most, and there are sins which seemingly
do not affect us or our neighbors. Thus we evaluate our sins according to its gravity [CCC 1854]
There is the venial sin that does not totally destroy our relationship to God. It does not destroy charity
but weakens it. One commits venial sin when in a less serious matter; when he does not observe the
standard prescribed by moral law. Deliberate and unrepented venial sin disposes us little by little to
commit mortal sin. [Cfr. CCC 1855, 1862-63]
But there is a sin that destroy charity in our hearts. It is committed by a grave violation of God s law. It
turns man away from God. Thus, its effects are: Loss of Charity Privation of sanctifying grace. If it is
not redeemed by repentance and God s forgiveness, it causes exclusion from Christ s Kingdom and the
eternal death of hell. [Cfr. CCC 1855-56, 1861, 1874]
For a sin to be mortal three conditions should be met: Serious offense, Full knowledge Full consent. A
grave sin/serious matter not consented or willed is not a mortal sin. [Cfr. CCC 1857-1861, 1863]
Sin proliferates. It engenders vice by repetition of the same acts. With this, our conscience becomes
clouded, and it corrupts our ability to judge correctly between good and evil. Sin tends to reproduce
14

15. itself and reinforce itself. Vice can be linked to the capital sins which engender other sins. They are the
root of sins. [Cfr. CCC 1865, 1866]
There are the 7 capital sins. They are the roots of sins we commit. They are pride, avarice, envy, wrath,
lust, gluttony, and sloth. [Cfr. CCC 1866, 1876]
Sin is a personal act but we have a responsibility for the sins committed by others when we cooperate
with them. To cooperate means: By participating directly and voluntarily in them; By ordering, advising,
praising, or approving them; By not disclosing or not hindering them when we have an obligation to do
so; By protecting evil-doers. [Cfr. CCC 1868-69]
When sin proliferates it creates a structure called sinful structure or structures of sin. Thus, it becomes
more and more difficult to fight. Even those who are good become sinful because of the structure. [CCC
1869]
We are bombarded with sin. We, ourselves, commit and experience sin and its effect. But sin is not our
life, death is not destiny. There is a powerful reality that is greater than the reality of sin. It is the reality
of GRACE. God has a plan. And it will come to its fulfillment. He has sent us His Son, Jesus Christ who
already has overcome sin and death by his Passion, death and Resurrection. In Him and Through Him,
sin and death are overcome. In Him and through Him, love and life is ever present. We only need to
cooperate to him. And allow His grace to work in us. [cfr. CCC 405, 410-412, 420-421, 1848, 1851].
INVITATION:
Make a sincere and honest examination of conscience and go to confession as soon as possible.
´God will never refuse a humble and contrite heart.µ
´FOR GOD·s GREATER GLORY.µ
15

16. Who is God the Father?
ƒ Our Creator
ƒ Our Provider
ƒ Our Redeemer
ƒ God s Indwelling Spirit
ƒ Our Self-Identity
ƒ CFC 270-276
Who is God the Son? CFC Ch.10
ƒ The Person of Jesus
True Man (CFC 500-501, 543) and True God (CFC 500, 504-
506, 543)
ƒ Threefold mission
Prophet (CFC 479-490, 534-538)
King (CFC 653-658, 672, 2073-2075, 2105)
Priest (CFC 1954-1955, 2014)
Three popular images of Christ: Sto.Niño, Black Nazarene, Sacred Heart of
Jesus.
Who is God the Holy Spirit?
ƒ Paraclete literally means he who is called to help.
Advocate/Helper/Counselor CFC 1322
ƒ Functions:
Giver of life CFC 1302
Unifies CFC 1303-1304
Moves to ministry CFC1305
Gifts of the Holy Spirit
CFC 1304, 1339 Isaiah 11:1-2
1. Wisdom
2. Understanding
3. Counsel
4. Fortitude
5. Knowledge
6. Piety
7. Fear of the Lord
Fruits of the Holy Spirit
CFC 1283, 1339 Gal 5:22
ƒ Love
ƒ Joy
ƒ Peace
ƒ Patient-endurance
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17. ƒ Kindness
ƒ Generosity
ƒ Faith
ƒ Gentleness
ƒ Chastity
The Creation and the Fall of Man
1. What is man?
Man is a creature composed of body and soul, and made to the
image and likeness of God.
And God created man to his own image. (Genesis 2:7)
2. Is this likeness to God in the body or in the soul?
This likeness to God is chiefly in the soul.
3. How is the soul like God?
The soul is like God because it is a spirit having understanding and
free will, and is destined to live forever.
And the dust return into its earth, from whence it was, and the spirit
return to God, who gave it. (Ecclesiastes 12:7)
4. Who were the first man and woman?
The first man and woman were Adam and Eve, the first parents of
the whole human race.
And Adam called the name of his wife Eve. (Genesis 3:15)
5. What was the chief gift bestowed on Adam and Eve by God?
The chief gift bestowed on Adam and Eve by God was sanctifying
grace, which made them children of God and gave them the right to
heaven.
6. What other gifts were bestowed on Adam and Eve by God?
The other gifts bestowed on Adam and Eve by God were happiness
in the Garden of Paradise, great knowledge, control of the passions
by reason, and freedom from suffering and death.
He gave them counsel, and a tongue, and eyes, and ears, and a heart
to devise; and he filled them with the knowledge of understanding.
(Ecclesiasticus 17:5)
7. What commandment did God give Adam and Eve?
God gave Adam and Eve the commandment not to eat of the fruit
of a certain tree that grew in the Garden of Paradise.
And he commanded him, saying: Of every tree of paradise thou shalt
eat; but of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat.
For in what day soever thou shalt eat of it, thou shalt die the death.
(Genesis 2:16-17)
55. Did Adam and Eve obey the commandment of God?
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18. Adam and Eve did not obey the commandment of God, but ate of the
forbidden fruit.
And the woman saw that the tree was good to eat, and fair to the eyes, and
delightful to behold; and she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave to
her husband who did eat. (Genesis 3:6)
56. What happened to Adam and Eve on account of their sin?
On account of their sin Adam and Eve lost sanctifying grace, the right to
heaven, and their special gifts; they became subject to death, to suffering,
and to a strong inclination to evil, and they were driven from the Garden of
Paradise.
In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread till thou return to the earth, out
of which thou wast taken; for dust thou art, and into dust thou shalt return.
(Genesis 3:19)
57. What has happened to us on account of the sin of Adam?
On account of the sin of Adam, we, his descendants, come into the world
deprived of sanctifying grace and inherit his punishment, as we would have
inherited his gifts had he been obedient to God.
But, by the envy of the devil, death came into the world. (Wisdom 2:24)
58. What is this sin in us called?
This sin in us is called original.
59. Why is this sin called original?
This sin is called original because it comes down to us through our origin,
or descent, from Adam.
Therefore as through one man sin entered into the world and through sin
death, and thus death has passed unto all men because all have sinned.
(Romans 5:12)
60. What are the chief punishments of Adam which we inherit
through original sin?
The chief punishments of Adam which we inherit through original sin are:
death, suffering, ignorance, and a strong inclination to sin.
61. Is God unjust in punishing us on account of the sin of Adam?
God is not unjust in punishing us on account of the sin of Adam, because
original sin does not take away from us anything to which we have a strict
right as human beings, but only the free gifts which God in His goodness
would have bestowed on us if Adam had not sinned.
62. Was any human person ever preserved from original sin?
The Blessed Virgin Mary was preserved from original sin in view of the
merits of her Divine Son, and this privilege is called her Immaculate
Conception.
I will put enmities between you and the woman, between your seed and her
seed; he shall crush your head, and you shall lie in wait his heel. (Genesis
3:15)
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19. Actual Sin
Lesson 6 from the Baltimore Cathechism
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63. Is original sin the only kind of sin?
Original sin is not the only kind of sin; there is another kind, called actual
sin, which we ourselves commit.
Amen, amen, I say to you that whosoever commiteth sin is the servant of sin.
(John 8:34)
64. What is actual sin?
Actual sin is any willful thought, desire, word, action, or omission
forbidden by the law of God.
65. How many kinds of actual sin are there?
There are two kinds of actual sin: mortal sin and venial sin.
66. What is mortal sin?
Mortal sin is a grievous offense against the law of God.
Flee from sins as from the face of a serpent; for if thou comest near them,
they will take hold of thee. (Ecclesiasticus 21:2)
67. Why is this sin called mortal?
This sin is called mortal, or deadly, because it deprives the sinner of
sanctifying grace, the supernatural life of the soul.
Before man is life and death, good and evil; that which he shall choose shall
be given him. (Ecclesiasticus 15:18)
68. Besides depriving the sinner of sanctifying grace, what else does
mortal sin do to the soul?
Besides depriving the sinner of sanctifying grace, mortal sin makes the soul
an enemy of God, takes away the merit of all its good actions, deprives it of
the right to everlasting happiness in heaven, and makes it deserving of
everlasting punishment in hell.
For the wages of sin is death; but the grace of God, life everlasting in Christ
Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)
69. What three things are necessary to make a sin mortal?
To make a sin mortal these three things are needed:
1. the thought, desire, word, action, or omission must be seriously
wrong or considered seriously wrong;
2. the sinner, must be mindful of the serious wrong;
3. the sinner must fully consent to it.
70. What is 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.
Be ye therefore perfect, as also your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew
6:48)
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20. 71. How can a sin be venial?
A sin can be venial in two ways:
1. when the evil done is not seriously wrong;
2. when the evil done is seriously wrong, but the sinner sincerely
believes it is only slightly wrong, or does not give full consent to it.
72. How does venial sin harm us?
Venial sin harms us by making us less fervent in the service of God, by
weakening our power to resist mortal sin, and by making us deserving of
God's punishments in this life or in purgatory.
But I tell you, that of every idle word men speak, they shall give account on
the day of judgment. (Matthew 12:36)
73. How can we keep from committing sin?
We can keep from committing sin by praying and by receiving the
sacraments; by remembering that God is always with us; by recalling that
our bodies are temples of the Holy Ghost; by keeping occupied with work
or play; by promptly resisting the sources of sin within us; by avoiding the
near occasions of sin.
And if thy right hand scandalize thee, cut it off and cast it from thee. For it is
expedient for thee that one of thy members perish rather than that thy whole
body go into hell. (Mark 9:42)
74. What are the chief sources of actual sin?
The chief sources of actual sin are: pride, covetousness, lust, anger,
gluttony, envy, and sloth, and these are commonly called capital sins.
75. Why are these called capital sins?
They are called capital sins, not because they, in themselves, are the
greatest sins, but because they are the chief reasons why men commit sin.
76. What are the near occasions of sin?
The near occasions of sin are all persons, places, or things that may easily
lead us into sin.
The Word Made Flesh Incarnation
Sto. Niño
Hesus Nazareno
Sacred Heart
- Adult Christ
- Risen Christ
- Liberator
Presuppositions of knowing Christ
1. Life long task.
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21. 2. Living, changing, growing, deepening experience.
3. Historical earthly Jesus and Risen Christ.
4. Committed to following him.
5. Knowledge of the Salvific Jesus.
Purpose of Jesus
1. As an offering for our sins.
2. To reveal to us God s love, to have life through Him.
3. As a model of sanctity
4. To share in his divine sonship
Ministry of the Historical Jesus
A. Prophet: Proclaim, Signs and wonders, and Martyr s fate
B. Priest: Offerer, Offering
C. King: Governs like the Good Shepherd
The Person of Jesus: TRUE GOD, TRUE MAN
PROCLAMATION OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD (3rd mystery )
ƒ The announcement of the Kingdom is near or has arrived (Mt.
3:2; 4: 17; 10:7; 12:28; Mk. 1:15; 11:10; Lk. 10:9, 11; 11:20; 17:20, 19:11;
21:31).
ƒ At the same time the arrival of the kingdom is something for
which Jesus tells His disciples to pray (Mt. 6:10; Lk. 11:2).
ƒ The Kingdom is a mystery which men do not perceive and
which Jesus reveals to His disciples (Mt. 13:11; Mk. 4:11; Lk.
8:10).
What is meant by the Kingdom?
ƒ CFC 481, 535: (1) all the blessings of God s presence among His
people , (2) liberating them from sin, (3) for loving service of
one another.
ƒ PCP II 39-43: (1) gift of God, (2) task, (3) Promise.
What is meant by the Kingdom?
ƒ Scriptures: (1) everlasting Lk. 1:33; (2) Christ s kingdom 2Pt
1:11; (3) heavenly 2Ti 4:18; (4) messianic banquet Mt 8:11,
22:1-10; (5) righteous will shine Mt 13:43; (6) the disciples will
sit on thrones Mt 19:28, 20:21; Mk 10:37, Lk 22:30; (7) a reward
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22. given to disciples Lk 12:32, James 2:5 (8) inheritance Mt
25:34, 1Cor 6:9, Gal 5;21, Eph 5:5.
ƒ Scriptures: to enter the Kingdom is synonymous with
entrance into eternal life Mk 9:47, 2Pet 1:11.
SIGNS AND WONDERS
MARTYR S FATE
ƒ Passion narratives of the of all four gospels.
ƒ The passion of the Christ movie.
THE GOOD SHEPHERD
ƒ He is the shepherd who leaves the 99 sheep to search out one
stray, and His joy at the recovery of a single sinner is like the
good shepherd who finds the stray Mt 18: 12-14; Lk 15:3-7
ƒ The Good Shepherd John 10:1-5, 11-16.
Integration:
DOCTRINE: JESUS IS LORD
MORAL: MORAL LIFE
WORSHIP: EUCHARIST
The Holy Spirit: Chapter 22 of CFC
Apostles Creed
y I believe in the Holy Spirit,
The Nicene s Creed
y We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son
he is worshipped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.
The Giver of Life:
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23. y Who is the Holy Spirit?
The Third Person in the Holy Trinity
The Paraclete (comforter)
The Advocate
The Spirit of Truth
The Spirit of God
The Spirit of Love
He comes to us when we are baptized
He dwells within us
Discerning the Holy Spirit:
y Always leads us to faith in Jesus Christ whom he glorifies;
y Acts always in keeping with Scripture and Tradition showing
unity, continuity and consistency;
y Gives spiritual gifts to individuals for the service of the
community: to build up the Christian community and
fellowship, and work toward overcoming dissensions and
factions;
y Is known by his fruits which St. Paul lists as love, joy, peace,
patient endurance, kindness, generosity, faith, mildness, and
chastity (Galatians 5:22)
y Is authoritatively discerned, and the proper use of his Gifts is
judged by those who preside over the Church whose office is
not indeed to extinguish the Spirit, but to test all things and
hold fast to what is good. (LG 12)
y Is found in humility: God resists the proud, but bestows His
favor on the lowly (James 4:6)
The Activity of the Holy Spirit
y In creation, he is God s creative power
y In the OT, in the Spirit, Abraham, Moses, David, Judges and
Prophets heard and responded to God s call.
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24. y In Christ, a) preparation of Mary and John the Baptist, b)
public ministry of Jesus, c) Paschal mystery, d) joint mission
of Jesus and the Spirit.
y In the Church, 1) pentecost, 2) gave birth to the first Christian
community. Today, 3) gives life, 4) unifies, 5) moves to
ministry.
y In Christians, 1) adopts us, 2) empowers us to love, 3)
empowers us to bear witness, 4) empowers us to know the
truth, 5) draws us into community, unity and service, inspires
true Christian life.
REFLECTION PAPER:
Make a story of your life on how the Holy Spirit has been working in
you since the time you were conceive until today.
mention events in your life and see how did the Holy Spirit work in
you.
the CHURCH
€ The first great living work of the Holy Spirit , the Giver of
Life.
€ Chapter 23 of CFC
Jesus replied: I for my part declare to you: you are Rock [Peter],
and on this rock I will build my Church, and the jaws of death shall
not prevail against it.
(Mt 16:18)
the Catholic Church
€ Is the community of men and women, united in Christ and
guided by the Holy Spirit, under the successor of Peter and
the bishops in communion with him.
€ Is not merely a human social organization
€ But, the People of God called together.
€ It consists of all who are drawn to personal communion with
Christ and one another,
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25. € is mystery __ a God-centered reality in its origin, ongoing
life and final goal
€ is a sacrament because it is a visible sign which makes
present a spiritual grace-filled reality.
Specifically, the Church is the efficacious symbol that unites
us to God and to one another, and thus is the efficacious
symbol of our salvation.
€ is related to each Person of the Blessed Trinity.
Relatedness to the Blessed Trinity
€ originates according to the Father s eternal plan, from the
side of the Crucified Christ, and is animated and united by the
coming of the Holy Spirit;
€ structured as a community of love modelled on the Trinity s
loving union of Father, Son and Spirit;
€ missioned (sent) by the Father following the joint Mission of
Son and Spirit;
€ destined as a pilgrim people to journey toward perfect
communion with the Trinity in heaven.
Scriptural images:
y Kingdom of God,
y People of God, and
y Body of Christ.
Marks of the Church
1. One
y Source: unity of the Holy Trinity
y Founder: Jesus Christ
y Life: one body and one Spirit in:
y Confession of one faith
y Common sacramental worship
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26. y Loving service of one another
y Loving obedience to the Vicar of Christ on earth
2. Holy
y The Church is holy as a gift from Christ who unites her
to himself as his Body, and sends her his Holy Spirit.
Empowered by the Spirit, the Church sanctifies her
members by her preaching, loving service, sacramental
life, and charismatic gifts.
y Holiness is a task
y all __ without exception are called to holiness. . .
though all do not pursue the same path (PCP II 402; cf.
LG 32).
3. Catholic
y is Catholic or universal as a gift from the Lord
because she is sent to bring all peoples to Christ the
Head in the unity of his Spirit (LG 13).
y But it is also a Task since all without exception are
also called to mission, that is, to evangelize (PCP II
402; cf. LG 33).
4. Apostolic
y As Gift, the Church is apostolic because Christ built
[her] upon the foundation of the apostles (Eph 2:20),
thus linking her permanently with their witness (cf. Mt
28:19-20). This apostolic charism is carried on through
the apostolic succession of the Bishops.
y As Task, the apostolic nature of the Church is exercised
by all the faithful who carry on the mission entrusted
by Christ to his apostles.
Her mission
€ The Church received the mission to proclaim and establish
among all peoples the Kingdom of Christ and of God (cf. LG
5). She is the Universal Sacrament of salvation for the whole
world.
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27. € Every member of the Church, therefore, shares in this
mission, i.e., the obligation of spreading the faith (LG 17).
mission applied to Filipino Catholics
€ Since the Church in the Philippines is a Church of the Poor,
PCP II stresses the thrust for justice and liberation as an
integral part of the renewed evangelizing mission of
proclaiming the Gospel.
CHURCH OF THE POOR (PCP 2)
Now all the believers lived together and shared all their belongings.
They would sell their property and all they had, and distribute the
proceeds to others according to their need.
(Acts 2: 44-45)
€ The community combines detachment from possessions with
a profound trust in the Lord.
€ The better off orients and tilts the center of gravity of the
entire community in favor of the needy. They collaborate with
the poor themselves and with others to lift up the poor from
poverty.
€ The pastors and leaders give preferential attention and time
to those who are poor, and generously share their own
resources in order to alleviate them.
€ The poor are not discriminated against because of poverty,
and are not deprived of their right to receive in abundance
the help of her spiritual goods.
€ The poor are not only evangelized but are enabled to become
themselves evangelizers.
€ The community does not remain silent before the
exploitation of the poor and for which reminds the rich of
their precise duties, condemns injustices, defends, and
vindicates the rights of the oppressed.
€ The drawing of plans needs to be drawn up not only for the
poor, but with them, so that by following them they will be
able to manage their own lives. (GC 23, 212)
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28. Ministries in the Church
y Ministry
y means service, and
y Christian ministry
y refers to serving the people of God in a stable
fashion.
a. ministry is characterized by: doing something,
b. for God s Kingdom,
c. in public,
d. on behalf of the Christian community,
e. empowered by a gift of faith received in baptism, or
ordination,
f. identifiable within the diversity of ministerial activities.
Ministry is not the privilege of a selected few, but the vocation of all
baptized Christians.
The Communion of Saints
y communion in holy things (sancta)
y communion in the faith
y communal life
y communion in the sacraments
y communion in possessions
y communion of charity
y communion with holy people (sancti)
y Pilgrim Church
y Suffering Church
y Triumphant church
Resurrection of the Body and Life Everlasting
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29. Jesus said: I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in
me, though he should die, will come to life; and whoever is alive and
believes in me will never die.
(Jn 11:25f)
Eschatology
y the study of the individual s last things (eschata):
y death,
y judgment,
y heaven or hell and
y Christ s Second Coming.
Resurrection means first of all new life in the Risen Christ __not just
a restoration of our present earthly life.
y LIFE EVERLASTING
The Credo
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