Faith and Science in Catholicism

Faith and Science

• Faith and reason are complementary paths to truth, not in conflict.
• Faith provides meaning and purpose; science investigates the natural world.
• The Catholic Church supports scientific inquiry, viewing it as revealing God's creation.

God's Self-Revelation

• God reveals Himself through Scripture, Tradition, and creation.
• Scripture is God's written word, inspired by the Holy Spirit.
• Tradition is the living transmission of God's message.
• Creation reflects the Creator's beauty and order.
• Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God's love and plan for salvation.

Sacred Scripture and Tradition

• Scripture and Tradition together form the deposit of faith.
• Scripture is the inspired written Word of God.
• Tradition is the oral teaching passed down by the apostles.
• This deposit guides Catholic beliefs and practices.

Literary Genres in the Bible

• The Bible includes various literary genres (historical, poetry, prophecy, parables, letters).
• Understanding the genre helps interpret the text correctly.

St. Thomas Aquinas' Proofs for God's Existence

• Aquinas presented five rational arguments for God's existence:
  • Motion: God is the First Mover.
  • Causation: God is the First Cause.
  • Contingency: God is the necessary being.
  • Degrees of Perfection: God is the perfect being.
  • Design: God is the intelligent Designer.

Faith

• Faith is a gift from God and a choice to trust in Him.
• Faith involves believing, even without full understanding.
• Faith and reason work together in moral and spiritual life.

The Incarnation

• The Incarnation is God becoming human in Jesus Christ.
• John 1:14 ("The Word became flesh") is a key scriptural reference.
• Jesus' life, death, and resurrection show God's love and closeness to humanity.

Seven Deadly Sins and Corresponding Virtues

• Seven deadly sins lead to spiritual death:
  • Pride (countered by humility)
  • Greed (countered by generosity)
  • Envy (countered by kindness)
  • Wrath (countered by patience)
  • Lust (countered by chastity)
  • Gluttony (countered by temperance)
  • Sloth (countered by diligence)

The Bible: Inspiration and Reading

• The Bible is inspired by the Holy Spirit, written by humans under divine guidance.
• Catholics read Scripture with prayerful reflection, Church teachings, and historical/cultural context.

Goodness in Different Philosophies

• Aristotle: Goodness is living virtuously (eudaimonia).
• Levinas: Goodness comes from ethical responsibility to others.
• Kant: Goodness is acting from duty and following the moral law (categorical imperative).

Jesus and the New Covenant

• Jesus established the New Covenant, fulfilling Old Testament promises.
• This covenant is marked by grace, forgiveness, and salvation.

Happiness and Gratitude

• True happiness comes from God and a virtuous life.
• Gratitude cultivates joy, humility, and reliance on God's blessings.

Sin

• Sin is rejecting God's love and law, harming relationships.
• Sin can be venial (minor) or mortal (grave, needing confession).

The Family

• The family is a 'domestic church,' reflecting God's love.
• Family is a foundation for love, education, and moral development.

Prayer

• Prayer is communication with God (adoration, petition, thanksgiving, intercession).
• Prayer strengthens faith, provides guidance, and peace.

The Eucharist

• The Eucharist is the real presence of Christ, central to Catholic worship.
• Strengthens the soul and unites believers with Christ and the Church.

Catholic Social Teaching

• Based on Scripture and Tradition, addressing human dignity, solidarity, and care for creation.
• Rerum Novarum by Leo XIII is a foundational document.

Kingdom of God

• God's reign is present in Jesus' ministry and will be fulfilled at the end of time.
• Calls for justice, mercy, and love.

God's Law and Man's Freedom

• God's moral law directs freedom toward true happiness and virtue, not limits it.

Theological and Cardinal Virtues

• Theological virtues are faith, hope, and love (from God, towards God).
• Cardinal virtues are prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance (guide moral behavior).

Sacramental Marriage

• Valid marriage requires free consent, openness to life, and fidelity.

Doctrine of the Incarnation and the Human Body

• The human body is sacred, affirmed through Jesus' taking human form.

Jesus' Three-Part Ministry

• Jesus served as priest (sacrifice, sanctification), prophet (teaching, proclamation), and king (leading, serving).

Vocation

• Vocation is a call to holiness through marriage, single life, priesthood, or religious life.

Forgiveness (Prodigal Son and Adulterous Woman)

• These stories emphasize God's mercy and call to repentance.
• The Prodigal Son: God welcomes sinners.
• The Adulterous Woman: Jesus offers forgiveness.

Church Teachings vs. Secular Society

• The Church faces challenges in defending traditional beliefs.

Science and Religion

• Science and religion seek truth; they are in harmony in God's plan.

Jesus and Moses

• Jesus fulfills the Mosaic Law, completing its purpose in the New Covenant.

Forgiveness and Reconciliation

• Essential to Christian life, restoring relationships.

Exegesis and Hermeneutics

• Exegesis is critical interpretation of Scripture.
• Hermeneutics is applying Scriptural teachings to modern life.

Explore the relationship between faith and science as complementary paths to truth within the Catholic tradition. Learn about God's self-revelation through Scripture and Tradition, and the various literary genres present in the Bible that express this divine message.