U3 AoS1 - Specific (Catholicism) PDF

Responding to the search for meaning - Catholicism Unit 3 Area of Study 1 – specific (Catholicism) AoS1: Responding to the search for meaning In this area of study students are introduced to the nature and purpose of religion in the human search for meaning. This includes a general study of the na...

Responding to the search for meaning - Catholicism Unit 3 Area of Study 1 – specific (Catholicism) AoS1: Responding to the search for meaning In this area of study students are introduced to the nature and purpose of religion in the human search for meaning. This includes a general study of the nature of religion (SEE Unit 3 AoS 1- general) Students are introduced to the purpose of religion in societies in which multiple worldviews coexist through the study in detail of a range of beliefs of one religious tradition or religious denomination. Catholicism Religious beliefs are ideas that answer the big questions of life according to a religious worldview. In this area of study students relate the beliefs to 7 key categories and explore the connection of the beliefs to each other. Outcome 1 On completion of this unit the student should be able to analyse the nature and purpose of religion and religious beliefs. To achieve this outcome the student will draw on key knowledge and key skills outlined in Area of Study 1. Key knowledge the aspects of religion the nature and purpose of religion in the search for meaning, which includes questions and answers relating to the big questions of life the nature of religious beliefs in general the purpose of religious beliefs in the search for meaning for one religious tradition or religious denomination, a range of religious beliefs related to: ultimate reality We have discussed these beliefs in general the nature and purpose of human life terms. the meaning of suffering death and the afterlife the relationship between ultimate reality and humanity You now need to be able to identify and the relationship between humans explain these beliefs as they relate to the the relationship between human life and the rest of the natural world Catholic denomination of the Christian the connections between these religious beliefs religion. The purpose of religious beliefs in the search for meaning for one religious tradition or religious denomination There are three key things we need to note here: 1. The first is the easiest: the religious denomination we are considering is Catholicism. We will begin this study with an overview of Catholicism. 2. We need to identify what the Catholic Church says about the 7 categories of belief. 3. Finally, we need to be able to say how the Catholic beliefs on these 7 categories provide purpose, and how this helps the search for meaning. Let’s start with a basic Catholicism 101… Christianity – the basics Overview Christianity is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion. Christianity began in the 1st century, after the death of Jesus, as a Judaic sect with Hellenistic influence in the Roman province of Judaea. The disciples of Jesus spread their faith around the Eastern Mediterranean area, despite significant persecution. The inclusion of Gentiles led Christianity to slowly separate from Judaism (2nd century). Emperor Constantine Ist decriminalized Christianity in the Roman Empire by the Edict of Milan (313), later convening the Council of Nicaea (325) where Early Christianity was consolidated into what would become the state religion of the Roman Empire (380). The Church of the East and Oriental Orthodoxy both split over differences in Christology (5th century), while the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church separated in the East–West Schism (1054). Protestantism split into numerous denominations from the Catholic Church in the Reformation era (16th century). Christianity is the largest religion in the world with over 2 billion adherents.  Jesus Disciples / Apostles Peter Paul (the first Pope) Nicene Creed (325 CE) Christianity becomes the official religion of the Roman Empire (356 CE) The Great Schism (1054 CE) Eastern Orthodox Church Roman Catholic Church (orthodox = “right thinking”)  The Great Schism (1054 CE) Eastern Orthodox Church Roman Catholic Church Reformation (16th Century) Protestant Church Roman Catholic Church  Church of England (Anglican) Pentacostal Methodist Protestant Reformation United Reform Quakers Church Lutheran Baptist Christianity – the basics Beliefs Christians believe that Jesus Christ is the “Son of God” – “fully human and fully divine”. They believe that God was incarnate (“made flesh”) in the person of Jesus (The Incarnation), born by immaculate conception through the Virgin Mary. Christians believe that by accepting Jesus and following his teachings they can inherit eternal life. Christians believe that God sent his Son to earth to save humanity from the consequences of its sins (Salvation). Christians believe that Jesus died for humanity on the Cross (The Crucifixion), that God raised him from the dead (The Resurrection), and that Jesus will come again at the end of time. Christians believe that there is only one God, but there are three “Persons” to this one God: God the Father, God the Son, and Holy Spirit (The Trinity). What is Catholicism? The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest denomination of the Christian religion. The Pope, who is the bishop of Rome, is the chief pastor of the church. The Diocese of Rome, known as the Holy See, is the central governing authority of the church. The administrative body of the Holy See, the Roman Curia, has its principal offices in Vatican City, a small independent city-state enclave within the Italian capital city of Rome, of which the pope is head of state. The core beliefs of Catholicism are found in the Nicene Creed.  We believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, The Nicene Creed of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, begotten from the Father before all ages, God from God, Light from Light, The Nicene Creed, also called the Nicaeno-Constantinopolitan Creed, is a true God from true God, begotten, not made; statement of the orthodox faith of the early Christian church in opposition to of the same essence as the Father. certain heresies, especially Arianism. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven; he became incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary These heresies, which disturbed the church during the fourth century, concerned and was made human. the doctrine of the Trinity and of the person of Christ. Both the Greek (Eastern) He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate; he suffered and was buried. and the Latin (Western) church held this creed in honor, though with one The third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures. important difference: the Western church insisted on the inclusion of the phrase He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. "and the Son" (known as the "filioque") in the article on the procession of the He will come again with glory Holy Spirit; this phrase still is repudiated by the Eastern Orthodox church. to judge the living and the dead. His kingdom will never end. And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life. In its present form this creed goes back partially to the Council of Nicea (A.D. He proceeds from the Father and the Son, 325) with additions by the Council of Constantinople (A.D. 381). and with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified. He spoke through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. The Nicene Creed provides us with a framework We affirm one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look forward to the resurrection of the dead, for understanding the key Catholic beliefs. and to life in the world to come. Amen.  Ultimate Reality is “one” (monotheism) This Ultimate Reality is called “God” God has the quality of being a “father” God is a “creator” (maker) Existence is comprised or “things visible” (the natural word) and “things invisible” (transcendent). We believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, NOTE: of all things visible and the nature of God is that God is one and invisible. absolute (both transcendent and immanent); that God is a creator and father The purpose of God is to create and to care for creation as a father  Catholics believe in Jesus Christ Jesus is the “Son of God” Jesus is “begotten” not made – this means And in one Lord Jesus Christ, he is equal with the Father (of the same the only Son of God, begotten from the Father before all ages, essence) God from God, Light from Light, This explains the nature of Jesus (God) true God from true God, begotten, not made; of the same essence as the Father.  purpose The reference to “through him all things were made” reinforces the unity of God the Through him all things were made. Father and God the Son (of the same For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven; essence) he became incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary, and was made human. Jesus is incarnate for the purpose of “our He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate; salvation” he suffered and was buried. The third day he rose again, according to Jesus “saves” through being crucified (The the Scriptures. He ascended to heaven Crucifixion) and is seated at the right hand of the Jesus overcomes death: “on the third day Father. He will come again with glory he rose again” (The Resurrection) to judge the living and the dead. His kingdom will never end. Jesus returns to heaven (The Ascension) nature Jesus is the judge of the living and the dead at the end of time. NOTE: this is both a role (purpose) and his nature.  The Holy Spirit is the “giver of life” The Holy Spirit is identified as “He.” The Holy Spirit communicates God’s And we believe in the Holy Spirit, message “through the prophets”. the Lord, the giver of life. He proceeds from the Father and the Son, and with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified. He spoke through the prophets.  The term “catholic” means universal. The terms “apostolic” means that beliefs and social structure is directly connected to Jesus through the Apostles and passed down through the generations through the Pope, regarded as the successor to St Peter. The term “church” refers to the institute of the Christian belief, the social structure, the adherents. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. The Nicene Creed finished by affirming the key ideas of Forgiveness: We affirm one baptism for the forgiveness Baptism (ritual) and the forgiveness of sins. We look forward to the resurrection of of sins the dead, The resurrection of the dead and to life in the world to come. Amen. Eternal life Types of beliefs As we explore the 7 categories of belief with respect to Catholicism, we should keep in mind that there are three basic “types” of belief: A foundational belief is a belief that is essential to the tradition (i.e., monotheism is a foundational belief in Judaism, Islam and Christianity) A distinctive belief is one that is only found in that religious tradition or is interpreted in a unique way in that tradition. A subsequent or derivative belief is not integral to a religious tradition but helps to shape the character of a religious tradition. Glossary – developing language you should be using foundational belief Catholic Church Virgin Birth distinctive belief denomination Immaculate Conception subsequent or derivative belief Adherent Crucifixion creed Pope Resurrection Nicene Creed bishop Ascension Catholic doctrine Trinity Ultimate Reality - Catholic Christianity is one of the three Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam). Common to these is the foundational belief that God is “One” (monotheism). Judaism: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord” (Deuteronomy 6:4). This is the first part of the Judaic declaration of faith (the Shema – “Hear”) Christianity (Catholicism): This is affirmed by Jesus in the first of the Two Great Commandments (Mark 12:28–31) Islam: “There is no god but God…” (Qur’an 2:163). This is the Islamic profession of faith (shahada). This is the first of the Five Pillars of Faith, the core beliefs and practices of Islam. In each case this represents the belief that God is One (Absolute, Everything, Transcendent and Immanent). This is different from simply saying that there is “one God”. Ultimate Reality - Catholic The classical description of Ultimate Reality (found in many religious traditions) is one that is Omniscient (All-knowing) Omnipotent (All-powerful) Benevolent (Good; All-loving) This description has led to philosophic arguments against the existence of Good (see J.L. Mackie – the inconsistent triad). We will discuss this more when considering the meaning of suffering. Ultimate Reality – Catholic | The Trinity The essential Catholic beliefs are outlined in the Nicene Creed (325 CE). A creed, is a confession or a statement of faith. It is a statement of the shared beliefs of a community (often a religious community) in a form which is structured by subjects which summarize its core tenets. When we look at the Nicene Creed, we see three “descriptions” of God as Ultimate Reality. God as Father God as Son (Jesus Christ) God as Holy Spirit We believe in one God, And in one Lord Jesus Christ, And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Father almighty, the only Son of God, the Lord, the giver of life. maker of heaven and earth, begotten from the Father before He proceeds from the Father and of all things visible and invisible. all ages, the Son, God from God, and with the Father and the Son Light from Light, is worshiped and glorified. true God from true God, begotten, not made; of the same essence as the Father. Ultimate Reality – Catholic | The Trinity The Christian doctrine of the Trinity (Latin: Trinitas, lit. 'triad', from Latin: trinus 'threefold') is the central doctrine concerning the nature of God in most Christian churches. The Trinity defines one God existing in three coequal, coeternal, consubstantial divine persons: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ) and God the Holy Spirit, three distinct persons (hypostases) sharing one essence/substance/nature (homoousion). As the Fourth Lateran Council declared, it is the Father who begets, the Son who is begotten, and the Holy Spirit who proceeds. In this context, one essence/nature defines what God is, while the three persons define who God is. This expresses at once their distinction and their indissoluble unity. Ultimate Reality – Catholic | The Trinity While the developed doctrine of the Trinity is not explicit in the books that constitute the New Testament, the New Testament possesses a triadic understanding of God and contains a number of Trinitarian formulas. The doctrine of the Trinity was first formulated among the early Christians and fathers of the Church as they attempted to understand the relationship between Jesus and God in their scriptural documents and prior traditions. There have been some different understandings of the Trinity among Christian theologians and denominations, including questions on issues such as: filioque, eternal functional subordination, subordinationism, eternal generation of the Son and social trinitarianism. Ultimate Reality – Catholic | The Trinity In summary For the Catholic Church, ultimate reality is described through the doctrine of the Trinity. God exists in three coequal, coeternal, consubstantial, divine Persons: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ) and God the Holy Spirit, three distinct “Persons” (hypostases) sharing one essence/substance/nature (homoousion). God is One, eternal, universal, absolute. God is Transcendent. God is Immanent. The nature of God is Love (1 John 4:16). God is omniscient (All-knowing), omnipotent (All-powerful), and benevolent (Good; All-loving). God is the Creator. God exists in relationship through the nature of the Trinity. The nature and purpose of human life - Catholic Nature In Genesis 1:27 (text) we are told, “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” Human’s are “made in the image of God” (Imago Dei). This is the nature of humans. Humans are NOT God, but they have “something” divine about them. This makes sense when we recall the belief that God is Absolute. Hence, there cannot be a “real” or “substantial” separation between God and His creation. The nature and purpose of human life - Catholic Purpose God is the Creator. Humans are made in the image of God; therefore, humans must also be “creators.” This leads to the belief that one key purpose of humans is to create. God is love (1 John 4:16). Therefore, God “loves.” This is shown in God’s nature as Father. Therefore, one of the key purposes of humans is to love. The nature and purpose of human life - Catholic Purpose The foundational prayer of Judaism is the Shema: “Hear O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is one. And as for you, you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” When Jesus is asked [what is the purpose of human life], he responds, to “love the Lord thy God with all thy heart” and “love thy neighbour as thyself” (Matthew 22:36-40). This sums up the purpose of human life: Love God – this is the recognition of the Absolute nature of God. Love our neighbour – this is the recognition of all creation being interconnected through being one in God. The nature and purpose of human life - Catholic Purpose Ultimately the purpose of human life is to realise the true nature of “human”; i.e., that humans are “not other” than God. This idea is known as theosis (divinization, participation, and divine sonship). According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the triune God, who is perfect communion, “in a plan of sheer goodness freely created man to make him share in his own blessed life” (CCC 1). The Father desires to give humans his actual life and make us, through the Son and in the power of the Holy Spirit, true children of God. “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1). Athanasius of Alexandria wrote, "He was incarnate that we might be made god" (St Athanasius, On the Incarnation of the Word, sec. 54.3) or, to put this another way, “God became human so that humans might become God.”* *This teaching is “dangerous” because it can lead some people to thinking that humans become “gods”. This is a heresy. The meaning of suffering - Catholic The Fall According to Genesis, suffering came about through the disobedience or “sin” of Adam and Eve (Original Sin). This sacred story is known as The Fall. Nature Suffering is associated with the physical state. Suffering is the consequence of sin. The meaning of suffering - Catholic Genesis 3:16-19 “Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat 16 To the woman he said, “I will make your pains in food from it all the days of your life. childbearing very severe; with painful labour you will give 18 It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the birth to children. plants of the field. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over 19 By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return you.” to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to 17 To Adam he said, “Because you listened to your wife and dust you will return.” ate fruit from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You must not eat from it,’ Origins of death The meaning of suffering - Catholic Purpose According to Catholic teaching, suffering serves a purpose. Suffering helps humans develop hope; hope leads us to God. Romans 5:3-5 3 …we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.  The meaning of suffering - Catholic Purpose For us and for our salvation Recalling that we are “made in the image”, we he came down from heaven; should note that humans should aim to be “like” he became incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary, Jesus (who is God). When humans suffer, they are and was made human. like Jesus: “He was crucified for us under Pontius He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate; Pilate; he suffered and was buried. The third day he he suffered and was buried. rose again, according to the Scriptures” (Nicene (Nicene Creed) Creed). Human suffering helps deepen understanding of Jesus’ suffering. Jesus suffers “for our salvation.” Death and the afterlife - Catholic Nature According to the Catholic Church, “Death was contrary to the plans of God the Creator and entered the world as a consequence of sin” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1008). Death is not an “end”. It is viewed as a passage. Purpose The meaning of death is to restore the relationship between humanity and God – this is the reason why Jesus died and resurrected (death was not a part of God’s original plan for humanity, but sin made it ‘possible’).​ Death and the afterlife - Catholic Catholics believe that there are two basic “destinations” after death – heaven (eternal life with God) and hell (eternal life away from God)​. A more complex Catholic notion of the afterlife includes the idea of purgatory. Purgatory is an intermediate state after death for purification; a place or state of punishment wherein, according to Roman Catholic doctrine, the souls of those who die in God’s grace may make satisfaction for past sins and so become fit for heaven. The relationship between Ultimate Reality and humanity - Catholic God has CHOSEN to have a relationship with humanity​ Genesis 2: God breathed life into the first human; ​ God chose to establish a covenant with Noah, Abraham, and Moses ​ Covenant gives humanity a responsibility to act in a way worthy of their state as Gods chosen people​ The covenant forms a binding relationship between God and humanity​ Jesus is seen as the new covenant – God chose to fully experience human existence by becoming man​ God chose to send his son to help deepen his relationship with humanity​ The Catholic church emphasises the salvation history – God Saving humanity in various way (eg Noah – from the flood); Moses – from slavery in Egypt)​ QUOTE: ​ “Christian prayer is a covenant relationship between God and man in Christ. It is the action of God and of man, springing forth from both the Holy Spirit and ourselves” (Catechism of the Catholic Church)​ The relationship between humans - Catholic Every person is a part of Gods creation, and is “made in the image and likeness of God”, which results in every person needing to be treated with care, dignity and respect​ Genesis1: 27 - So God created mankind in his own image,​ in the image of God he created them;​ male and female he created them.​ In the Gospels, Jesus is emphasised as a teacher, and in his teachings guidelines such as love of neighbour, responsibility to the poor and the oppressed. These teachings were through parables (eg The Good Samaritan; The rich man and Lazarus), ​ Jesus also taught through action, such as healing those in need of reconciliation, defending the outcasts (The woman caught in adultery (John 8)​ The importance of love, forgiveness is emphasised in Jesus life, and stiving towards these will help to bring about a just society where all are valued and treated with respect (and equity) [the Kingdom of God]​ Text p. 238 – 239 – quotes​ For these reasons, Christianity has a strong focus on Social Justice​ The relationship between human life and the rest of the natural world This was made clear in the book of Genesis:​ The world was created by God, so humans have a responsibility to care for all of creation (everything God made)​ Stewardship (although this has been interpreted as ‘dominion’ (domination) by previous generations​ This care aspect is a relative ‘new’ interpretation [eg Pope Francis Laudato Si; ecotheologian Thomas Berry, and Brazilian Leondardo Boff (former priest), who advocates for ‘eco spirituality’]​ ​ Jesus’ teaching and example of love can also be applied to this category of belief by arguing that care for the environment is showing love and compassion for future generations by ensuring they have a world that is in good order to live in– our responsibilities are not just to our time and place/​ The connections between these religious beliefs The connections between these religious beliefs - Catholic