An Introduction to Catholicism

An Introduction to Catholicism PDF Author: Lawrence S. Cunningham
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 9781139478236
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
The Vatican. The Inquisition. Contraception. Celibacy. Apparitions and miracles. Plots and scandals. The Catholic Church is seldom out of the news. But what do its one billion adherents really believe, and how do they put their beliefs into practice in worship, the family, and society? This down-to-earth account goes back to the early Christian creeds to uncover the roots of modern Catholic thinking. It avoids getting bogged down in theological technicalities, and throws light on aspects of the Church's institutional structure and liturgical practice that even Catholics can find baffling: why go to confession? How are people made saints? What is 'infallible' about the Pope? Topics addressed include: • scripture and tradition • sacraments and prayer • popular piety • personal and social morality • reform, mission, and interreligious dialogue Lawrence Cunningham, a theologian, prize-winning writer and university teacher, provides an overview of Catholicism today which will be indispensable for undergraduates and lay study groups.

An Introduction to Catholicism

An Introduction to Catholicism PDF Author: Lawrence S. Cunningham
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 9781139478236
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages :

Get Book

Book Description
The Vatican. The Inquisition. Contraception. Celibacy. Apparitions and miracles. Plots and scandals. The Catholic Church is seldom out of the news. But what do its one billion adherents really believe, and how do they put their beliefs into practice in worship, the family, and society? This down-to-earth account goes back to the early Christian creeds to uncover the roots of modern Catholic thinking. It avoids getting bogged down in theological technicalities, and throws light on aspects of the Church's institutional structure and liturgical practice that even Catholics can find baffling: why go to confession? How are people made saints? What is 'infallible' about the Pope? Topics addressed include: • scripture and tradition • sacraments and prayer • popular piety • personal and social morality • reform, mission, and interreligious dialogue Lawrence Cunningham, a theologian, prize-winning writer and university teacher, provides an overview of Catholicism today which will be indispensable for undergraduates and lay study groups.

Introduction to Catholicism

Introduction to Catholicism PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Christian education
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description


The Light of Christ

The Light of Christ PDF Author: Thomas Joseph White
Publisher: CUA Press
ISBN: 0813229715
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 329

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Book Description
The Light of Christ provides an accessible presentation of Catholicism that is grounded in traditional theology, but engaged with a host of contemporary questions or objections. Inspired by the theologies of Iranaeus, Thomas Aquinas and John Henry Newman, and rooted in a post-Vatican II context, Fr. Thomas Joseph White presents major doctrines of the Christian religion in a way that is comprehensible for non-specialists: knowledge of God, the mystery of the Trinity, the Incarnation and the atonement, the sacraments and the moral life, eschatology and prayer. At the same time, The Light of Christ also addresses topics such as evolution, the modern historical study of Jesus and the Bible, and objections to Catholic moral teaching. Touching on the concerns of contemporary readers, Fr. White examines questions such as whether Christianity is compatible with the findings of the modern sciences, do historical Jesus studies disrupt or confirm the teaching of the faith, and does history confirm the antiquity of Catholic claims. This book serves as an excellent introduction for young professionals with no specialized background in theology who are interested in learning more about Catholicism, or as an introduction to Catholic theology. It will also serve as a helpful text for theology courses in a university context. As Fr. White states in the book’s introduction: “This is a book that offers itself as a companion. I do not presume to argue the reader into the truths of the Catholic faith, though I will make arguments. My goal is to make explicit in a few broad strokes the shape of Catholicism. I hope to outline its inherent intelligibility or form as a mystery that is at once visible and invisible, ancient and contemporary, mystical and reasonable.”

An Introduction to Catholic Theology

An Introduction to Catholic Theology PDF Author: Richard Lennan
Publisher: Paulist Press
ISBN: 9780809138081
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 198

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Book Description
"What is Catholic theology? In order to reach an answer, the authors use various definitions of theology to identify the principal elements of the discipline, elements that include the human person, faith, the scriptures, philosophy, morality and everyday human experience. The authors also provide examples from the history of theology to highlight the dynamic nature of Catholic theology and its evolution in a variety of cultural and historical settings."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Catholicism Today

Catholicism Today PDF Author: Evyatar Marienberg
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1317963555
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 258

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Book Description
Catholics are not Christians. They worship Mary. They do whatever the pope says. They cannot divorce. They eat fish on Fridays. These flawed but common statements reflect a combined ignorance of and fascination with Catholicism and the Catholic Church. Catholicism Today: An Introduction to the Contemporary Catholic Church aims to familiarize its readers with contemporary Catholicism. The book is designed to address common misconceptions and frequently-asked questions regarding the Church, its teachings, and the lived experience of Catholics in modern societies worldwide. Opening with a concise historical overview of Christianity in general and Catholicism in particular, the text explores the core beliefs and rituals that define Catholicism in practice, the organization of the Church and the Catholic calendar, as well as the broad question of what it means to be Catholic in a variety of cultural contexts. The book ends with a discussion of the challenges facing the Church both now and in the coming decades. Also included are two short appendices on Eastern Catholicism and Catholicism in the United States.

The Catholic Faith Explained

The Catholic Faith Explained PDF Author: Michel Therrien
Publisher: Sophia Institute Press
ISBN: 1644130661
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 182

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Book Description
What is the point of faith, and, in particular, of the Catholic Faith? Written in a welcoming style, this straightforward book provides a clear, compelling answer to that question. As such, it's meant for non-Catholics who are curious about the Catholic Faith, for cradle Catholics who may never have really understood the Faith, and for longtime Catholics who've begun to question the Faith and may even be thinking of leaving it. Here, free of controversies and polemics, you'll encounter the principal beliefs that form the framework of Christianity, and, in particular, a thorough explanation of what the Church teaches about Jesus. To accomplish this faithfully, author Michel Therrien relies on just two sources—the Bible and the Catechism of the Catholic Church—to provide an authoritative overview of what the Faith teaches about God and why believing in Him is important. In twenty short, easy-to-digest chapters, Therrien presents you with Christianity as t

Catholicism: A Very Short Introduction

Catholicism: A Very Short Introduction PDF Author: Gerald O'Collins
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 019954591X
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 161

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Book Description
What are the origins of the Catholic Church? How has Catholicism changed and adapted over the centuries? What challenges does the Catholic Church face in the twenty-first century? Gerald O'Collins answers these and other questions in this clear, accessible introduction to the largest and oldest institution in the world.

Introduction to Catholicism for Adults

Introduction to Catholicism for Adults PDF Author: James Socias
Publisher: Midwest Theological Forum
ISBN: 1939231906
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 825

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Book Description
Introduction to Catholicism for Adults is a book that sets out the basics of why we are here and where we are going. Every baptized person has been called personally to serve God and love his neighbor. The goal of our lives is personal sanctity, and the destination is Heaven. Jesus established his Church to map out the way for everyone, and he left his Holy Spirit to guarantee that the Church will not fail in that role. This book is a part of your journey on the road to sanctity. Seek to understand its message so that you will be able to complete the journey in the way Jesus desires in the time he has given you. It is said that the human soul loves adventure, and your life will indeed present many opportunities for adventure. Remember why you are here, what the great goal is, and take as your motto, “Sanctity will be my most important adventure.” —From the Introduction Introduction to Catholicism for Adults presents a complete overview of the Catholic Faith, based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Sacred Scripture, the lives of the saints, the Fathers of the Church, and the teachings of Vatican II and other magisterial documents. It is ideal for RCIA, adult study classes, or anyone looking to broaden his or her knowledge of the Faith. Twenty-five chapters, topics include: • The Holy Catholic Church • The Blessed Trinity • The Paschal Mystery • The Blessed Virgin Mary • The Sacraments and Prayer • Christian Morality and the Universal Call to Holiness • Social Doctrine

The Faith Understood

The Faith Understood PDF Author: Mark J. Zia
Publisher: Emmaus Road Publishing
ISBN: 9781937155988
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 146

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Book Description
Discover the basic principles of authentic biblical interpretation. Learn why the Magisterium is the only way to correctly interpret the Bible and the writings of the Church fathers, doctors, and saints. Find out why Scripture, Tradition, and the Magisterium are the only three legs of the theological tripod that preserves the whole truth about God. See why faith and reason, science and theology, the natural and the supernatural are always agreeable. Explore the Incarnation and its primary Christological heresies that threatened the early Church. Unlock one of the most misunderstood areas of Catholic theology in the person of Mary. Unravel the mystery of eschatology the "last things" judgment, purgatory, hell, and heaven. Great for college students, adult faith formation programs, and motivated Catholics aspiring to learn more about their faith.

Church, State, and Society

Church, State, and Society PDF Author: J. Brian Benestad
Publisher: Catholic University of America Press + ORM
ISBN: 081321923X
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 784

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Book Description
How can the Catholic faith help not only Catholics, but all people, build a just and flourishing society? The Catholic Church contributes first and foremost to the common good by forming the consciences of the faithful. Faith helps reason achieve an understanding of the common good and guides individuals in living justly and harmoniously. In this book, J. Brian Benestad provides a detailed, accessible introduction to Catholic social doctrine (CSD), the Church’s teachings on the human person, the family, society, political life, charity, justice, and social justice. Church, State, and Society explains the nuanced understanding of human dignity and the common good found in the Catholic intellectual tradition. It makes the case that liberal-arts education is an essential part of the common good because it helps people understand their dignity and all that justice requires. The author shows the influence of ancient and modern political philosophy and examines St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas, papal social encyclicals, Vatican Council II, and postconciliar magisterial teaching. Benestad highlights the teachings of popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI that the attainment of the common good depends on the practice of the virtues by citizens and leaders alike. In addition to discussing the tension between CSD and liberal democracy, the book takes an in-depth look at: –Key themes of social life: the dignity of the human person, human rights, natural law, and the common good –Three principal mediating institutions of civil society: family, Church, and Catholic university –The economy, work, poverty, immigration, and the environment –The international community and just war principles “Excellent . . . The best treatment of Catholic Social Doctrine as a whole and a precious reminder of the intrinsically problematic character of modern democracy.” —Perspectives on Political Science