Essential Catholic Theology: Scripture, Faith, and Morality
Unit 1: Scripture and Jesus
Jesus
- Son of God
- Messiah (Savior)
- Teacher and Healer
- Fully God and fully human
Gospels
- Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John
- Synoptic Gospels: Matthew, Mark, and Luke
Exegesis
- The study and interpretation of Scripture
Parables
- Stories that teach moral lessons (e.g., The Good Samaritan)
Miracles
- Events demonstrating God’s power
Covenant
- A sacred promise between God and His people
New Covenant
- Jesus brings salvation and forgiveness
Radical Table Fellowship
- Jesus welcomed everyone, especially outcasts
Discipleship
- Following
Foundations of Christian Faith and the Early Church
Foundations of the Early Church
- Easter Triduum: Comprising Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil.
- Resurrection: Jesus rose from the dead, marking a victory over sin and death.
- Ascension: Jesus returned to Heaven 40 days after His Resurrection.
- Pentecost: The Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles; often called the birthday of the Church.
- Holy Spirit: The entity that guides, strengthens, and inspires the Church.
The Acts of the Apostles
- Acts of the Apostles: Written by Saint Luke, this book
Greek Mythology: Origins, Gods, and Heroic Cycles
Cosmogony and Chaos
The Origins of the Universe
- Cosmogony: The study of how and when the universe was created.
- Theogony: The study of how and when the gods and humans were born.
- Eschatology: The study of how and when life ends.
The official religion addressed Cosmogony and Theogony, first recorded by the lyric poets of the Archaic Period. Eschatology was primarily dealt with in the religious cults of the Greek mysteries.
Primordial Gods
Hesiod’s Theogony is the foundational story of the world’s origin.
Read MoreFoundations and History of Catholic Social Teaching
Historical Periods of the Social Doctrine
Two historical periods can be distinguished in the history of the Social Doctrine of the Church (SDC): before and after 1891.
The Period Before 1891
Before 1891, the SDC was mainly based on the Gospel and developed through the teachings of the Fathers of the Church and the Doctors of the Middle Ages. Important figures include:
- Augustine of Hippo
- Ambrose
- Jerome
- Pope Gregory the Great
- St. Thomas Aquinas
The Church already reflected on social issues, human dignity,
Read MoreDoes God Exist? Catholic and Secular Perspectives
Introduction
People have debated for a long time about whether the Catholic God exists. Catholics believe there is enough evidence to show that God is real, while secular thinkers believe the world can be explained without God. Both sides use different ideas to support their beliefs.
The Catholic Worldview
The Catholic worldview teaches that God exists because the universe must have been created by an intelligent being. One important argument is the Cosmological Argument by Thomas Aquinas, stating
Read MoreGreek Mythology: Gods, Heroes, and Ancient Legends
What Are Myths?
Myths are ancient stories created by cultures to explain the world around them and human behavior. Before scientific explanations were available, people used myths to understand natural events like thunderstorms, earthquakes, and the changing seasons, or to explain animal behavior. These stories often attributed human qualities to natural forces or depicted them as the actions of gods and supernatural beings. Myths also explained the origins of the world, societal customs, and important
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