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• Catechism


  The official teaching of the Catholic Church
• Trinity


  The belief that God exists in three persons: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit
• The Trinity is the main belief of the Nicene Creed, which is the statement of Christian belief
• The Trinity shows that God is beyond us, with us, and in us
• Trinity in the Bible

  1. In the Old Testament, God the Father speaks the word to create the world and the Holy Spirit hovers over creation

  2. In the New Testament, at Jesus's baptism, the Father says "This is my Son" and the Holy Spirit descends
• Heresies like adoptionism and Arianism go against the doctrine of the Trinity
• Genesis 1 states that God created the universe in six days and gave humans authority over the world
• God


  • Omnipotent (all-powerful)
  • Omni-benevolent (all-loving)
  • Eternal (no start or end)
• Views on Genesis


  • Fundamentalist Protestants believe it is factually correct, rejecting the Big Bang and evolution
  • Liberal Protestants believe Genesis is people's words, not God's, and accept the Big Bang and evolution
• Dominion


  The power and authority over the earth given to humans by God
• Stewardship


  The responsibility to look after the earth and not exploit it, so it can be passed on to future generations
• Humanists believe in science and that people need to care for the planet, while some atheists believe people should use the world as they want
• Incarnation


  Where God became human as Jesus, who had a virgin birth and was fully human and fully divine
• The virgin birth is described in the Gospels of Luke and Matthew
• Paschal Mystery


  The death and resurrection of Jesus, including the Last Supper, Garden of Gethsemane, trials, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension
• The Paschal Mystery brings salvation from sin because Jesus offered himself for our salvation and promises Christians resurrection and ascension into heaven
• Original Sin


  The sin of Adam and Eve in eating the forbidden fruit, which is washed away at baptism
• Personal Sin


  The consequences of sinning from one's own actions, which separates a person from God
• Grace


  Undeserved mercy from God that gives strength to be good and holy
• Evangelical Protestants believe that if you don't confess faith in Jesus, you can't be saved from sin
• Eschatology


  Beliefs about the final events in the history of the world and the ultimate destiny of humanity
• Catholics believe that after death, people are judged by God and may go to heaven, purgatory, or hell
• Evangelical Protestants believe that on Judgement Day, only born-again Christians will go to heaven, while everyone else will go to hell
• The raising of Lazarus from the dead is described in the Gospel of John
• Catechism


  The official teaching of the Catholic Church
• Parts of the Old Testament


  • Torah (laws of Judaism)
  • Decalogue (Ten Commandments)
  • Prophets (history books)
  • Writings (poetry, Psalms)
• Parts of the New Testament


  • Gospels (life and teachings of Jesus)
  • Acts of the Apostles (history of early church)
  • Letters by saints (instructions to early Christians)
  • Revelation (about the last things)
• Bible


  Important for Catholics as it records teachings on how to live, shows life, death and resurrection of Jesus which is basis of Christian faith, and contains God's laws like the Ten Commandments
• Some Bibles have 39 books in the Old Testament, while Catholic Bibles have 47 books
• Inspired by God


  (Catholic view) The Bible is inspired by the Holy Spirit, so it comes from God and reveals God's character and laws
• Ways the Church helps interpret the Bible


  • Apostolic tradition
  • Magisterium (teaching office of the Church)
  • Catechism
  • Priests' homilies
  • Bishops' letters
• Fundamentalist Christians


  Believe the Bible is the literal word of God, meaning every word is true
• Conservative Christians


  Believe the Bible was inspired by God, but not God's actual words
• Apostolic tradition


  The Gospel message from Jesus to the Apostles to the Church, which provides the authority and guidance for Catholics
• Apostolic succession


  The unbroken line of bishops going back to the Apostles, ensuring the teaching is unchanged since the Apostles
• Magisterium


  The Pope and bishops who interpret the Bible and define Church beliefs, providing modern-day answers and guidance
• Types of Magisterium


  • Ordinary Magisterium (bishops teaching what has always been taught)
  • Conciliar Magisterium (Pope calling a General Council to decide teachings)
  • Pontifical Magisterium (Pope deciding doctrine)
• Role of the Pope


  To lead the worldwide Church, appoint Cardinals and bishops, and guide Catholic doctrine
• The Catechism states the Magisterium's role is to preserve God's people from error
• Second Vatican Council


  • Brought the Church up to date, opened the Church up to the Holy Spirit, brought the leadership of the Church closer to the people