Core Catholic Beliefs: Faith, Revelation, and Jesus

1. What is Faith?

Definition: The Essence of Faith

Faith is defined as belief and trust in God, even without physical proof.

Level 4 Understanding:

Faith is a gift from God that allows us to believe in Him, trust in His promises, and build a relationship with Him.


Characteristics of Faith

  • Faith is a gift from God.
  • Faith is free (you choose it).
  • Faith grows through prayer and experience.
  • Faith involves both belief and action.

2. Revelation

What is Revelation?

God revealing Himself and His truth to humanity.

The

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Foundations and Principles of Catholic Social Doctrine

Sources of Catholic Social Doctrine

The foundations of Catholic Social Doctrine (SDC) are derived from the following sources:

  • Revelation: The word of God expressed in the Gospel, providing fundamental truths about the human person.
  • Tradition: The transmission of faith through history, which develops the teachings of the Church over time.
  • Magisterium: The teaching authority of the Church (the Pope and Bishops), which interprets social reality in the light of faith.
  • Reason: A tool that helps to understand
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The Catholic Church in Aotearoa New Zealand: A Religious Analysis

When analysing the Catholic Church in Aotearoa New Zealand using the nine dimensions of religion, there is strong and detailed evidence that it meets all the essential characteristics of a religion. These dimensions help break down what makes something a religion, and when applied to the Catholic Church, they clearly show that it fits within this definition.

1. The Nine Dimensions of Religion

Sacred Texts

One important dimension of religion is sacred texts. The Catholic Church is founded on the Bible,

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HRE 2O1 Unit 1 Test Review: Bible, Gospels, and Church

HRE 2O1 – Unit 1 Test Review


What is the Bible?

The Bible is the sacred book of Christianity, containing God’s revelation and teachings about salvation. It tells the story of God’s relationship with humanity.


Major Sections of the Bible

  • Old Testament
  • New Testament

How Many Books?

The Bible contains 73 books:

  • 46 in the Old Testament
  • 27 in the New Testament

Why is the Bible Like a Library?

It contains:

  • Many authors
  • Different writing styles
  • Various time periods
  • Diverse types of literature

Old Testament

  • Covers
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New Testament & Christology: Parables, Gospels, and Doctrine

Unit 1: Introduction to the New Testament & Christology

Parables

Parable — a short story that uses everyday images to communicate religious messages. Parables both reveal and conceal. Different types of parables include:

  • The Surprise of Gods Kingdom
  • Gods upside-down Kingdom
  • Gods Kingdom that requires a decision

Key Figures

  • King Herod ambitious, brutal, and successful; rebuilt the Temple in Jerusalem; allowed local rulers to oversee small areas as long as they pledged allegiance to Rome; maintained
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Good and Evil, Free Will and Original Sin in Scripture

Defining Good and Evil

  • Good is that which reflects love, truth, justice, and compassion, aligning with God’s will and bringing harmony to creation.

  • Physical/Natural Evil refers to suffering caused by natural events like earthquakes, disease, or death—these are not caused by human choice.

  • Moral Evil / Sin is wrongdoing that results from human free will, such as lying, stealing, or violence.

  • Examples:

    • Good: acts of kindness, healing, forgiveness, and generosity.

    • Evil: war, pollution, abuse, and betrayal.

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