BELIEFS, AND THE

CATEGORIES OF
BELIEF
And related primary and secondary
sources that enhance our
understanding of these beliefs
The Nature and Purpose of Religion in
the Search for Meaning
◦ The nature of religion is to give meaning to the lives and life experiences of its adherents. This takes
place through the engagement of adherents with the various expressions of the aspects of religion
that are particular to the religious tradition.
◦ The search for meaning is a fundamental human response to life, which is both universal and
personal.
The Purposes of Religion (from Nelson 253)

◦ A belief in a transcendent authority or ultimate reality that provides the society with common values
◦ A metanarrative, or truth narrative, that provides a way of making sense of ‘the world,’ including its
origins and end
◦ A symbolic understanding of mystery or that which remains inexplicable
◦ Rituals and symbols that designate significant moments in the life of the individual or the
community.
 NATURE OF
RELIGIOUS BELIEFS
Nature of religious beliefs
◦ Religious beliefs are those that are believed to be true by the adherents of the religious tradition.
◦ Beliefs are the core identity of the tradition and are the central ideas and religious teachings of the
tradition.
◦ Religious beliefs are religious truths, which do not necessarily need to be absolutely proven (ie.
Scientifically)
◦ Believing in these religious truths requires trust and faith from the individual adherent.
◦ The more rigorous and deep a religious truth is, the more likely it is to be supported by multiple
expressions of the aspects of religion.
Fundamental vs Subsequent Beliefs
Fundamental Subsequent

◦ These beliefs emerge at the inception ◦ These beliefs occur later in the religious
(beginning) of the religious tradition. tradition’s development
◦ They are not integral to the tradition’s survival,
◦ These beliefs will shape the overall
but can add shape or further identity to the
worldview of the religious tradition, and religious tradition.
define the tradition from other religious
◦ These beliefs can be used to differentiate
traditions at that time.
different branches or sects of the religious
◦ For the Catholic Christian Tradition: tradition.
◦ There is one God (monotheism) ◦ For the Catholic Tradition:
◦ Jesus Christ is the Messiah ◦ The various Religious Orders (Franciscans, Orders
of Preachers, etc.) have different expressions of
◦ God is triune; the Father, the Son and the
the beliefs of the overall Catholic Christian
Holy Spirit Tradition.
 THE BIG
“EXISTENTIAL”
QUESTIONS
The Existential Questions seek to
provide meaning
◦ What we deeply reflect on – or try desperately to avoid dwelling on – throughout our lives
◦ Religious traditions hope to guide our answers and logic to these questions, to assist in giving people
a way of life that is congruent with the overall aims and ethics of the religious tradition
◦ The answers to these questions will generally come back to an understanding of who/what Ultimate
Reality is, and how humankind is meant to relate to them.
◦ When an adherent can find positive answers to some/all of these questions, they will be more likely
to have a fulfilling life.
◦ As an aside – humanist perspectives of the world would argue that these questions can also be answered without
the input of religious traditions, but for our studies we are going to address how the Catholic Christian Tradition
seeks to answer these.
Where did we come from?
◦ Genesis 1:26-27 - Then God said, 'Let us make humankind in our image, according
to our likeness… So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God“
◦ Humankind is created by God, as mentioned in the Nicene Creed, as God is the
“Maker of all heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.”
Is there something greater than us?
(An Ultimate Reality)
◦ Genesis 1:1-2: In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a
formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the
waters.
◦ John 1: In the beginning there was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
◦ Catechism of the Catholic Church 198: Our profession of faith begins with God, for God is the First
and the Last, the beginning and the end of everything.
◦ CCC199: "I believe in God:" this first affirmative statement of the Apostle's Creed is also the most
fundamental. The whole Creed speaks of God, and when it also speaks of man and of the world it
does so in relation to God… "The faithful first profess their belief in God.“
◦ Saint Thomas Aquinas: The Five Proofs – 1. Life is in motion (nothing moves without first being
moved upon), 2. Causation (an egg cannot be an egg by itself), 3. Possibility and Necessity (there
must be something that exists first, we call that something God), 4. Gradation (or striving for
perfection, or the truest and best which we measure all things against), 5. Design (intelligent design
and order in nature is not an accident)
St Thomas
Aquinas
◦Born in 1225, entered the Dominican
Order in 1244 and in 1245 was sent to
Paris to study, teach and write.
◦His most famous work is the Summa
Theologica, which posits 5 arguments
for the existence of God.
◦He is revered as a Doctor of the
Church for his contributions to
theology and Catholic philosophy.
 St Thomas Aquinas: 5 Proofs
• Everything is in motion, but nothing can move by itself
• If there were no “first mover”, there would be no motion. However, there is motion.
1.
Moti • Therefore, there is a first mover, who we know as God.
on

• Nothing can cause itself to be. If A must take place before B, but there is no A, there cannot be B.
2. • If there is no first cause, then there cannot be any further causes, which lead to effects.
Effici
ent • Therefore, there must be a first cause of all causes. This is God.
Caus
e

• All things that we experience in the natural world have the possibility to exist, but also to not exist.
3.
Possi • Therefore, there are times when a particular thing did not exist, which is its beginning. Using the Efficient Cause proof, it should therefore not exist.
bility • Therefore, something must exist that has no potential to not exist, and the only thing with this ability must be God.
and
Nece
ssity
• We can judge things as better, or worse, than others, and can compare things against a standard of perfection (too hot, too cold)
4. • We rate things against their perceived perfection, by how closely they resemble their perfect state.
Grad
ation
• Therefore, if something is good, there must be a character of it which is most good. The cause of this ultimate state of goodness and perfection is
/ God.
Perfe
ction
• All created things act towards an end, yet not all created things have knowledge (for example inanimate objects, or plants), and follow the natural
law.
5. • They act the same way always, unless acted upon, and this implies that there is an ‘intelligent design’ that directs these non-intelligent things.
Desi • There must be a force that works upon the natural world, that orders the chaos behind it. This force must be God.
gn
What is the purpose of our existence?
◦ Genesis 1:28 - God blessed them, and God said to them, 'be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue
it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that
moves upon the earth.'
◦ Genesis 2:15 - The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it.
◦ CCC1700 (introduction to Section One: Man’s Vocation – Life in the Spirit): The dignity of the human person is
rooted in his creation in the image and likeness of God; it is fulfilled in his vocation to divine beatitude. It is
essential to a human being freely to direct himself to this fulfillment. By his deliberate actions, the human person
does, or does not, conform to the good promised by God and attested by moral conscience. Human beings make
their own contribution to their interior growth; they make their whole sentient and spiritual lives into means of
this growth. With the help of grace they into virtue, avoid sin, and if they sin they entrust themselves as did the
prodigal son to the mercy of the father in heaven. In this way they attain to the perfection of charity.
◦ CCC1702: The divine image is present in every man. It shines in the communion of persons, in the likeness of the
union of the divine persons among themselves (this is in reference to the Trinity).
◦ CCC1703: Endowed with a “spiritual and immortal” soul, the human person is “the only creature on earth that
God has willed for its own sake.” From his conception, he is destined for eternal beatitude.
How should we live?
◦ CCC1694: Incorporated into Christ by Baptism, Christians are “dead to sin and alive to God in Christ
Jesus” and so participate in the life of the Risen Lord. Following Christ and united with him, Christians
can strive to be “imitators of God as beloved children, and walk in love” by conforming their
thoughts, words and actions to the mind… which is yours in Christ Jesus,” and by following his
example.
◦ “Be holy, for I am holy” (Leviticus 11:44, cf. 1 Peter 1:16)
◦ 10. All this is important. Yet with this Exhortation I would like to insist primarily on the call to holiness
that the Lord addresses to each of us, the call that he also addresses, personally, to you: “Be holy,
for I am holy” (Lev 11:44; cf. 1 Pet 1:16). The Second Vatican Council stated this clearly:
“Strengthened by so many and such great means of salvation, all the faithful, whatever their
condition or state, are called by the Lord – each in his or her own way – to that perfect holiness by
which the Father himself is perfect”.[10] – Gaudete Et Exsultate (Pope Francis)
Is there anything beyond death?
1006 "It is in regard to death that man's condition is most shrouded in doubt." In a sense bodily death
is natural, but for faith it is in fact "the wages of sin." For those who die in Christ's grace it is a
participation in the death of the Lord, so that they can also share his Resurrection.
1007 Death is the end of earthly life. Our lives are measured by time, in the course of which we
change, grow old and, as with all living beings on earth, death seems like the normal end of life. That
aspect of death lends urgency to our lives: remembering our mortality helps us realize that we have
only a limited time in which to bring our lives to fulfillment:
Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, . . . before the dust returns to the
earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it. (Ecclesiastes 12:1,7)
CATEGORIES OF
BELIEF
What are the categories of belief?
◦ The Categories of Belief (CoB) are broad groupings of the beliefs of religious traditions.
◦ They are generally in answer to the “Big” (Existential) Questions of life, such as ‘What happens after death,’
or “Is there a God/Ultimate Reality?”, but more broadly relate to the nature and purpose of human life.
◦ The Categories of Belief are those related to:
◦ Ultimate Reality
◦ Nature and Purpose of Human Life
◦ Meaning of Suffering
◦ Death and the Afterlife
◦ Relationship between Ultimate Reality and Humanity
◦ Relationship between humans
◦ Relationship between human life and the rest of the natural world

◦ As part of our study of Religion and Society, we must also look at the interrelationship between these
categories of belief.
◦ For each category of belief we will look at a number of beliefs from the Catholic Christian Tradition.
COB: ULTIMATE
REALITY
CoB: Ultimate Reality
◦ Refer to printed reader on Ultimate Reality
The
Trinity
Images related to the Triune God

Rublev’s Trinity
 The Trinity in the Nicene Creed
I believe in one God, in accordance with the Scriptures.
the Father almighty, He ascended into heaven
maker of heaven and earth, and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
of all things visible and invisible. He will come again in glory
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, to judge the living and the dead
the Only Begotten Son of God, and his kingdom will have no end.
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light, I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of
true God from true God, life,
begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
through him all things were made. who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified,
For us men and for our salvation who has spoken through the prophets.
he came down from heaven,
and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
and became man. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead
he suffered death and was buried, and the life of the world to come.
and rose again on the third day Amen.
Articles Related to the Trinity
◦ https://www.catholic.com/magazine/online-edition/explaining-the-trinity
Scripture related to the Trinity
Matthew 3:13-17
13
Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have
prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered
him, “Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he
consented. 16 And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the
heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on
him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, [a] with whom I am well pleased.”

Matthew 28:18-20
13
Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have
prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered
him, “Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he
consented. 16 And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the
heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on
him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, [a] with whom I am well pleased.”
Prayers related to the Trinity
Trinity Sunday Collect (Prayer during the Introductory Rites at Mass)
God our Father, who by sending into the world the Word of truth and the Spirit of sanctification made
known to the human race your wondrous mystery, grant us, we pray, that in professing the true faith,
we may acknowledge the Trinity of eternal glory and adore your Unity, powerful in majesty.
The Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
 The Trinity in the Nicene Creed
I believe in one God, in accordance with the Scriptures.
the Father almighty, He ascended into heaven
maker of heaven and earth, and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
of all things visible and invisible. He will come again in glory
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, to judge the living and the dead
the Only Begotten Son of God, and his kingdom will have no end.
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light, I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of
true God from true God, life,
begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
through him all things were made. who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified,
For us men and for our salvation who has spoken through the prophets.
he came down from heaven,
and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
and became man. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead
he suffered death and was buried, and the life of the world to come.
and rose again on the third day Amen.
CREATOR
GOD
 Creator God in the Nicene Creed
I believe in one God, in accordance with the Scriptures.
the Father almighty, He ascended into heaven
maker of heaven and earth, and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
of all things visible and invisible. He will come again in glory
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, to judge the living and the dead
the Only Begotten Son of God, and his kingdom will have no end.
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light, I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
true God from true God, who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified,
through him all things were made. who has spoken through the prophets.
For us men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven, I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins
and became man. and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, and the life of the world to come.
he suffered death and was buried, Amen.
and rose again on the third day
Creator God in the Catechism
◦ https://usccb.cld.bz/Catechism-of-the-Catholic-Church/92/
◦ Almost all of Paragraph 4 ‘The Creator’ (#279 - #324) describe the role of God in Creation.
◦ I would suggest giving this a quick read/skim, and finding two or three good quotes from the
catechism that you can use (and will be able to remember) about this belief.
Scripture related to Creator God
◦ Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning when God created[a] the heavens and the earth, the earth was a
formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God[b] swept over the
face of the waters.”
◦ Take note of the footnotes here:
◦ Genesis 1:1 [a] Or when God began to create or In the beginning God created – you can use alternative translations to
help show a deeper textual understanding of scripture and how the Jewish tradition/Early Christian Churches may have
understood this
 OMNIPOTENT
OMNISCIENT
OMNIPRESENT
IMMANENT
TRANSCENDENT
Definitions related to OOOIT
Scripture related to Omnipotent
◦ Psalm 115
◦ Particularly verse 3

◦ Isaiah 55:11 & Jeremiah 32:17

◦ Things outside of God’s power (ie. Contrary to his nature, such as lying or disproving himself as God)
◦ Titus 1:2
◦ Numbers 23:19
Scripture related to Omnipresent
◦ Psalm 139
◦ Acts 17:22ff (ff means all verses that follow to the end of the chapter)
◦ Particularly Acts 17:27-28, but the rest of this reading gives additional context
Scripture related to Omniscient
◦ Psalm 147
◦ 1 John 3:20 (read a bit before and after for some context)
◦ God knows the future: 1Samuel 10:2, 1Kings 13:1-4, 2 Kings 8:12, Psalm 139:4, Acts 2:23, 4:27-28
Scripture related to Immanent
◦ Isaiah 7:14 – compare with Matthew 1:22-23
◦ Jeremiah 23:23-24
◦ Isaiah 41
Scripture related to Transcendent
◦ Isaiah 55:8-9
◦ Psalm 113
Catechism
related to OOOIT
CoB: Ultimate Reality Questions
1. Using evidence from the Catholic Christian Tradition, describe the Church’s monotheistic belief
structure Church in One God.
2. With reference to scripture, texts and symbols, articulate the relationship of the Three Persons of
the Trinity and how this belief is consistent with the Church’s monotheistic belief structure.
3. Explain the Catholic Christian Tradition’s belief that God is Creator.
4. Using the terms OOOIT, describe the attributes of God. Use evidence to support the Catholic
Christian Tradition’s beliefs in these attributes.
5. Summarise the belief that adherents of the Catholic Christian Tradition in a loving and merciful God
(use the last pages of the reader for this).
 COB: NATURE AND
PURPOSE OF HUMAN
LIFE
CoB: Nature and Purpose of Human
Life
Catholic beliefs about the nature and purpose of human life are deeply rooted in a rich theological framework
derived from Scripture, tradition, and the teachings of the Catholic Church. Central to these beliefs is the
understanding that every individual is created in the image and likeness of God, endowing them with inherent
dignity and worth. The purpose of human life, as articulated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, is to know,
love, and serve God in this world, with the ultimate aspiration of eternal happiness in the next. This purpose is
accompanied by the gift of free will, allowing individuals to make moral choices and actively participate in their
relationship with God. The Catholic worldview emphasizes stewardship of creation, the sanctity of human life from
conception to natural death, and the crucial role of the family in nurturing love, support, and moral values. The
redemptive work of Jesus Christ is central to Catholic beliefs, offering reconciliation with God and the opportunity
for salvation. Each person is seen as having a unique vocation, a calling to holiness, and is called to contribute to
social justice and charity. The belief in an afterlife, where individuals will face judgment and experience an eternal
destiny, underscores the eternal significance of human actions and choices. Together, these principles form a
comprehensive understanding of human life within the Catholic tradition, emphasizing divine creation, moral
responsibility, and the pursuit of eternal union with God.
Articles related to Nature and Purpose
of Human Life
◦ https://www.patheos.com/library/roman-catholicism/beliefs/human-nature-and-the-purpose-of-existe
nce

◦ https://www.catholic365.com/article/8561/purpose-of-life-the-catholic-gospel.html
CoB: Nature and Purpose of Human
Life
1. Creation in the Image of God:

Explanation: Catholics believe that every human being is created in the image and likeness of God,
emphasizing the intrinsic dignity and worth of each individual. This belief forms the basis for recognizing
the sacredness of human life.

Genesis 1:26

CCC1702
CoB: Nature and Purpose of Human
Life
2. Inherent Dignity and Worth:

Explanation: The belief in inherent dignity emphasizes that every person's worth is intrinsic and not
contingent on external factors. This belief guides the Catholic understanding of the sanctity of every
individual, regardless of circumstances.

CCC1700

Luke 10:25-37

Catholic Social Teaching – Dignity of the Human Person

Explanation: According to Catholic teachings, the primary purpose of human life is to know, love, and
serve God in this world, with the ultimate goal of eternal happiness with Him in the next. This purpose
provides a guiding principle for moral living and spiritual fulfillment.

CCC 1721

Micah 6:8
CoB: Nature and Purpose of Human
Life
4. Free Will:

Explanation: Catholics believe in the endowment of free will, granting individuals the ability to make
choices, essential for moral responsibility. This freedom allows individuals to actively participate in their
relationship with God and make morally significant decisions.

CCC1731

John 7:17
CoB: Nature and Purpose of Human
Life
5. Stewardship of Creation:

Explanation: Human beings are seen as stewards of God's creation, tasked with the responsibility of caring
for the environment and all living beings. This stewardship entails a moral obligation to preserve and
protect the natural world for future generations.

CCC2402

Genesis 2:15
CoB: Nature and Purpose of Human
Life
6. Sacredness of Life:

Explanation: The Catholic Church upholds the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death.
This belief is rooted in the understanding that human life is a gift from God, deserving of protection and
respect.

Jeremiah 1:5

CCC2258
CoB: Nature and Purpose of Human
Life
7. We are relational beings, called to a life within the family unit:

Explanation: The family is considered the basic unit of society in Catholic theology, nurturing love, support,
and moral values. It serves as a school of virtue, providing a foundation for the development and well-
being of individuals.

CCC2202

1 Corinthians

Genesis 2:18
CoB: Nature and Purpose of Human
Life
8. We are redeemed through the sacrifice of Christ:

Explanation: Catholics believe in the redemption offered through Jesus Christ, emphasizing the Paschal
mystery of His cross and Resurrection. This belief forms the core of the Christian faith, providing hope for
reconciliation with God and the possibility of salvation.

John 3:16

CCC571
COB: MEANING OF
SUFFERING
CoB: Meaning of Suffering
1. Suffering is redemptive

Catholics believe that suffering can be redemptive when it is united with the sufferings of Christ on the
Cross. This belief is rooted in the understanding that Jesus' sacrifice on the Cross was not just a historical
event, but an eternal act of atonement for the sins of humanity.

CCC1521

Colossians 1:24
CoB: Meaning of Suffering
2. Through suffering we a participate in Christ's Passion:

Catholics view suffering as an opportunity to participate in the Paschal Mystery, which encompasses
Christ's Passion, Death, and Resurrection. By willingly embracing suffering, believers can share in Christ's
redemptive mission and become co-heirs with him.

CCC618

Romans 8:17
CoB: Meaning of Suffering
3. Suffering purifies and sanctifies:

Catholics believe that suffering, when endured with faith and patience, can lead to spiritual purification
and sanctification. This process of purification enables individuals to grow closer to God and become more
conformed to the image of Christ.

CCC1508

James 1:2-4
CoB: Meaning of Suffering
4. We suffer in solidarity, and in compassion:

The Catholic Church teaches that compassion and solidarity are essential responses to suffering. By
showing compassion for those who suffer and standing in solidarity with them, believers fulfill the
commandment of love and reflect the example of Christ, who showed compassion to the afflicted and
marginalized.

CCC2447

Matthew 25:35-36
CoB: Meaning of Suffering
5. We trust in God’s providential care

Despite the reality of suffering, Catholics are called to maintain hope and trust in God's providential care.
This hope is grounded in the belief that God can bring good out of even the most difficult circumstances
and that suffering, when united with Christ's suffering, can ultimately lead to eternal

CCC164

Romans 8:28
COB: DEATH AND
THE AFTERLIFE
CoB: Death and the Afterlife
Catholic beliefs about death and the afterlife affirm the reality of physical death, the hope of resurrection,
the certainty of judgment, and the existence of heaven, hell, and purgatory. These beliefs are grounded in
Scripture and elucidated in the teachings of the Catholic Church as found in the Catechism.
CoB: Death and the Afterlife
1. The Meaning of Death:

◦ Catholics understand death as the separation of the soul from the body. Death entered the world as a
consequence of sin (Genesis 3:19; Romans 5:12), but through the redemptive work of Christ, death has
been transformed into a passage to eternal life (CCC 1006). While physical death marks the end of
earthly life, it is not the final end; rather, it is a transition to the afterlife.

◦ Genesis 3:19 states, "By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out
of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return." This passage acknowledges the
reality of physical death as a consequence of human sin, affirming the mortality of the human body.
CoB: Death and the Afterlife
2. The Resurrection of the Body:

◦ Central to Catholic belief is the hope in the resurrection of the body. Just as Christ was raised from the
dead, believers anticipate the resurrection of their own bodies at the end of time (1 Corinthians 15:20-
22). This resurrection will be a transformation of the body, uniting it with the soul once again in a
glorified state (CCC 997).

◦ 1 Corinthians 15:20-22 affirms this hope: "But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first
fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the
resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive." This passage
emphasizes Christ's resurrection as the guarantee of the resurrection of all believers.
CoB: Death and the Afterlife
3. The Particular Judgment:

◦ Upon death, each individual undergoes a particular judgment, where their eternal destiny is determined
based on the state of their soul at the moment of death (Hebrews 9:27). Those who die in God's grace
and friendship, but are not yet fully purified, undergo purification in Purgatory before entering into the
fullness of heaven (CCC 1022).

◦ Hebrews 9:27 states, "And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment."
This verse underscores the certainty of judgment after death, highlighting the importance of spiritual
preparation during earthly life.
CoB: Death and the Afterlife
4. Heaven:

◦ Heaven is the ultimate goal of the Christian life, where the blessed enjoy the Beatific Vision, beholding
God face to face in perfect communion (1 Corinthians 2:9). It is a state of eternal happiness, fulfillment,
and union with God, where there is no more suffering, sin, or death (Revelation 21:3-4).

◦ 1 Corinthians 2:9 speaks of the glory of heaven: "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of
man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him." This verse emphasizes the
incomprehensible beauty and joy that await the faithful in heaven.
CoB: Death and the Afterlife
5. Hell

◦ Hell is the state of eternal separation from God, chosen by those who die in mortal sin and refuse to
repent (Matthew 25:41). It is a place of everlasting punishment and despair, where the damned are
deprived of the presence of God and experience the full consequences of their rejection of Him.

◦ Matthew 25:41 describes the fate of the wicked: "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me,
you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.'" This verse underscores the
seriousness of sin and the reality of eternal punishment for those who persist in unrepentance.
CoB: Death and the Afterlife
6. Purgatory:

◦ Purgatory is a temporary state of purification for souls destined for heaven but still in need of
purification from the effects of sin (1 Corinthians 3:15). It is not a "second chance" for salvation but
rather a place where the souls of the faithful undergo purification and expiation before entering into the
fullness of communion with God in heaven.

◦ 1 Corinthians 3:15 speaks of purification through fire: "If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss,
though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire." This passage suggests a process of
purification that some souls undergo before entering into the presence of God.
CoB: Death and the Afterlife
7. The Beatific Vision:

◦ The Beatific Vision is the ultimate end and fulfillment of the human person, where the blessed behold
God face to face and experience the fullness of His glory and love (1 John 3:2). It is the highest form of
happiness and fulfillment, surpassing all earthly pleasures and desires.

◦ 1 John 3:2 describes the Beatific Vision: "Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has
not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as
he is." This verse speaks of the transformative power of the Beatific Vision, where believers are united
with God in perfect love and knowledge for all eternity.
CoB: Death and the Afterlife
8. The Second Coming and the Final Judgment:

◦ Catholics believe in the Second Coming of Christ, when he will return in glory to judge the living and the
dead (Matthew 25:31-46). This event will mark the culmination of human history and the final judgment
of all souls, resulting in the eternal separation of the righteous and the wicked (CCC 1038-1041).

◦ Matthew 25:31-46 describes the Final Judgment, where Christ will separate the righteous from the
wicked: "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit
the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world'" (Matthew 25:34). This passage
emphasizes the importance of living a righteous life in anticipation of the Final Judgment.
 COB: RELATIONSHIP
BETWEEN HUMAN LIFE AND
THE REST OF THE NATURAL
WORLD
CoB: Relationship between human life
and the rest of the natural world
1. Stewardship of Creation:
● Explanation: Catholics believe that humans are called to be stewards of God's
creation, responsible for caring for and protecting the environment and all
living beings. This stewardship is based on the recognition of the
interconnectedness and interdependence of all elements of the natural world.
● Biblical Quote: "The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden
to work it and take care of it." (Genesis 2:15, NIV)
● CCC Quote: CCC 2415 emphasizes the responsibility of humanity for the care
of creation entrusted to it by the Creator.
● Encyclical Quote: "The dominion granted to man by the Creator is not an
absolute power, nor can one speak of a freedom to 'use and misuse,' or to
dispose of things as one pleases." (Laudato Si', 67)
CoB: Relationship between human life
and the rest of the natural world
2. Respect for Life in All Its Forms:
● Explanation: Catholics believe in the inherent value and dignity of all life forms,
recognizing them as part of God's creation. Therefore, they advocate for the
protection and preservation of biodiversity and the natural environment.
● Biblical Quote: "And God said, 'Let the land produce living creatures according
to their kinds: the livestock, the creatures that move along the ground, and the
wild animals, each according to its kind.' And it was so." (Genesis 1:24, NIV)
● CCC Quote: CCC 2416 emphasizes the importance of respecting the integrity
of creation and the animals that inhabit it.
● Encyclical Quote: "Every creature is thus the object of the Father's tenderness,
who gives it its place in the world." (Laudato Si', 77)
CoB: Relationship between human life
and the rest of the natural world
3. Harmony and Balance in Nature:
● Explanation: Catholics believe that humans should strive to live in harmony
with nature, recognizing the delicate balance of ecosystems and the need to
avoid exploitation and overconsumption that can disrupt this balance.
● Biblical Quote: "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all
who live in it." (Psalm 24:1, NIV)
● CCC Quote: CCC 2417 underscores the need for respect for the integrity of
creation and the requirement to avoid excesses and abuses.
● Encyclical Quote: "The human environment and the natural environment
deteriorate together; we cannot adequately combat environmental
degradation unless we attend to causes related to human and social
degradation." (Laudato Si', 48)
CoB: Relationship between human life
and the rest of the natural world
4. Caretakers of God's Creation:
● Explanation: Catholics see themselves as caretakers of God's creation,
entrusted with the responsibility to safeguard it for future generations. This
involves promoting sustainable practices and environmental stewardship.
● Biblical Quote: "The land must not be sold permanently, because the land is
mine and you reside in my land as foreigners and strangers." (Leviticus 25:23,
NIV)
● CCC Quote: CCC 2415-2418 emphasizes the duty of stewardship entrusted to
humanity by God and the importance of respecting the gifts of creation.
● Encyclical Quote: "We are not God. The earth was here before us and it has
been given to us." (Laudato Si', 67)
CoB: Relationship between human life
and the rest of the natural world
5. The Call to Environmental Justice:
● Explanation: Catholics believe in the call to pursue environmental justice,
ensuring that the benefits and burdens of environmental policies and practices
are distributed equitably among all people, including future generations.
● Biblical Quote: "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the
rights of all who are destitute." (Proverbs 31:8, NIV)
● CCC Quote: CCC 2419-2420 discusses the importance of solidarity and the
common good in environmental stewardship and the need for responsible
governance of natural resources.
● Encyclical Quote: "A true ecological approach always becomes a social
approach; it must integrate questions of justice in debates on the environment,
so as to hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor." (Laudato Si',
49)
CoB: Relationship between human life and
the rest of the natural world Questions
1. What do Catholic encyclicals contribute to the understanding of the relationship between humans and the
natural world, as reflected in the quote from Laudato Si', 67?

2. How does the encyclical Laudato Si' emphasize the interconnectedness and mutual dependence of all
elements of creation?

3. According to Catholic teaching, how does environmental degradation relate to human and social
degradation, as suggested in the quote from Laudato Si', 48?

4. How do Catholic teachings on stewardship of creation align with the biblical concept of humans as caretakers
of God's creation, as expressed in Leviticus 25:23?

5. In what ways do Catholic encyclicals emphasize the need for environmental justice, considering both the
welfare of the environment and the rights of marginalized communities, as seen in the quote from Laudato
Si', 49?
 COB: RELATIONSHIP
BETWEEN ULTIMATE
REALITY AND HUMANITY
CoB: Relationship between Ultimate
Reality and Humanity
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father, who art in heaven
Hallowed by thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses
As we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation
But deliver us from evil.
Amen.
CoB: Relationship between Ultimate
Reality and Humanity
Catechism of the Catholic Church:
CCC1: God, infinitely perfect and blessed in himself, in a plan of sheer goodness freely created man to
make him share in his own blessed life.
CCC458:
CCC220:
CoB: Relationship between Ultimate
Reality and Humanity
Scripture:
1 John 4:8
Luke 23
Matthew 22:37
Luke 15: 11-32
COB: RELATIONSHIP
BETWEEN HUMANS
CoB: Relationship between humans
1. Imago Dei (Image of God):
 Explanation: The belief in the imago Dei underscores the intrinsic value and dignity of every
human being. This belief is foundational to Catholic social teaching, emphasizing that all
individuals possess inherent worth and are entitled to respect and dignity.
 Biblical Quote: "Then God said, 'Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they
may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild
animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.' So God created mankind in his
own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." (Genesis
1:26-27, NIV)
 CCC Reference: CCC 1700-1709 emphasizes that human dignity is rooted in being created in the
image and likeness of God.
CoB: Relationship between humans
2. The Call to Love One Another:
 Explanation: The commandment to love one another is central to Christian ethics. This love is not
merely an emotional feeling but a selfless, sacrificial commitment to the well-being of others,
irrespective of differences.
 Biblical Quote: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must
love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
(John 13:34-35, NIV)
 CCC Reference: CCC 1933-1942 elaborates on the virtue of charity, which encompasses the love of
God and the love of neighbor.
CoB: Relationship between humans
3. The Importance of Community and Relationships:
 Explanation: Catholicism stresses the communal nature of humanity. Human beings are inherently
social creatures, designed to live in relationships and communities. This communal aspect fosters
mutual support, growth, and solidarity.
 Biblical Quote: "For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them." (Matthew
18:20, NIV)
 CCC Reference: CCC 1877-1948 discusses the social nature of humanity and the importance of
building communities based on justice, solidarity, and subsidiarity.
CoB: Relationship between humans
4. Respect for Human Life:
 Explanation: The Catholic Church teaches that human life is sacred and inviolable from conception
to natural death. This belief forms the basis for Catholic opposition to practices such as abortion,
euthanasia, and capital punishment.
 Biblical Quote: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you
apart." (Jeremiah 1:5, NIV)
 CCC Reference: CCC 2258-2330 elaborates on the dignity of the human person and the Church's
teaching on the sanctity of life.
CoB: Relationship between humans
5. Forgiveness and Reconciliation:
 Explanation: Forgiveness and reconciliation are central themes in Christian theology. Catholics are
called to emulate God's forgiveness and extend mercy to others, fostering healing and restoration
in relationships.
 Biblical Quote: "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against
someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." (Colossians 3:13, NIV)
 CCC Reference: CCC 2840-2845 explores the Lord's Prayer, emphasizing the importance of
forgiveness in the Christian life and the need for reconciliation with God and neighbor.
CoB: Relationship Between Humans
Questions
◦ Imago Dei (Image of God):
1. What is the significance of the belief in the imago Dei in Catholic social teaching?
2. How does the biblical passage from Genesis 1:26-27 contribute to the understanding of the imago Dei?
3. According to CCC 1700-1709, where does human dignity find its root?
◦ The Call to Love One Another:
1. Why is the commandment to love one another considered central to Christian ethics?
2. In what way does the love described in John 13:34-35 differ from mere emotional affection?
3. How does CCC 1933-1942 elaborate on the virtue of charity?
◦ The Importance of Community and Relationships:
1. Why does Catholicism emphasize the communal nature of humanity?
2. How does the biblical quote from Matthew 18:20 reflect the importance of community in Christianity?
3. What key concepts are discussed in CCC 1877-1948 regarding human relationships and community building?
◦ Respect for Human Life:
1. According to Catholic teaching, why is human life considered sacred and inviolable?
2. How does the biblical quote from Jeremiah 1:5 support the Church's stance on the sanctity of life?
3. What aspects of the Church's teaching on human life are elaborated upon in CCC 2258-2330?
◦ Forgiveness and Reconciliation:
1. Why are forgiveness and reconciliation considered central themes in Christian theology?
2. How does the biblical quote from Colossians 3:13 emphasize the importance of forgiveness in interpersonal relationships?
3. What insights into forgiveness and reconciliation are provided in CCC 2840-2845, particularly regarding the Lord's Prayer?