In theology, believing is a pre-requisite to knowing. However, the greatness of God and limitations of the human mind, we often end up with truths that cannot be fully grasped. We call them mysteries, which could only be appreciated in faith. Mysteries are truths beyond ordinary human comprehension. Therefore, even as a science that makes use of human reason, theology remains primarily studied from the point of view of faith.

ON FAITH

FAITH

WHEREBY MAN COMPLETELY SUBMITS HIS INTELLECT AND WILL TO GOD

COMPLETE ASSENT TO GOD

OBEDIENCE OF FAITH

TO SUBMIT IN FAITH…BECAUSE IT IS TRUTH GUARANTEED BY

GOD

“FIAT MIHI SECUNDUM VERBUM TUUM…”

FAITH IS A VIRTUE

A virtue is a good habit, that is, a good inclination that is more or less permanent.

FAITH IS A GIFT OF GOD

A supernatural virtue infused by God

FAITH IS A GRACE

PETER: You are Christ, the son of God

JESUS: This revelation did not come from any man but

from my Father who is in heaven

FAITH IS A HUMAN ACT

BELIEVING NECESSARILY INVOLVES:

HUMAN INTELLECT FREEDOM FREE WILL

IN FAITH, THE INTELLECT AND THE WILL COOPERATE WITH THE DIVINE

GRACE

BELIEVING IS AN ACT OF THE INTELLECT ASENTING TO THE DIVINE TRUTH BY THE COMMAND OF THE

WILL MOVED BY GOD THROUGH GRACE

St. Thomas Aquinas

There are three things involved in faith: believing in God’s existence, recognizing His word as truth, and accepting his word as the rule of life and the

way to salvation. For this reason, we say that faith is a way of life. As such, faith, involves the total person: mind, heart, and will in an integral act

of believing, trusting, and doing.

Mind Believing What should we believe in?

God, not as an abstract idea, but a person who calls us to enter into a relationship with Him.

DOCTRINE

Will Doing What must we do in account of what we believe in?

Commit ourselves to obey God’s will for us.

MORALITY

Heart Trusting If we would believe and do what our belief requires us to, what can we hope for?

The overflowing love of God and the promise of eternal happiness with Him which we constantly make ourselves aware of every time we commune with Him in prayer.

WORSHIP

SCHEMA:

Doctrine, morality, and worship are three dimensions of faith. It is through these that we are able to manifest completely our faith

in God. Believing is also vital to our everyday life. It is a fundamental property of human relations.

ON THE FAITH OF CATHOLICS

Catholic faith is the belief that Jesus Christ revealed God in and through the Holy Catholic

church. Catholic means “universal”.

It is a faith that is deeply sacramental, as preserving in its use of religious symbols to

signify God’s presence; traditional, as preserving and transmitting the original teachings of Christ from generation to

generation, and communal, as drawing people together in common belief, way of life, and

worship. And the most distinguishing characteristic of the Catholic faith is that it

recognizes the Pope as the successor of Peter and the bishops as the successor of

the apostles.

FAITH Believing in God

CHRISTIAN FAITH Believing in the God revealed by Jesus

CATHOLIC CRISTIAN FAITH

Believing that Christ reveals God to us in and through the Catholic church.

SCHEMA:

CHARACTERISTICS OF FAITH ACCORDING TO CFC

TOTAL AND ABSOLUTE

LOVING AND MATURING

MISSIONARY

TRINITARIAN

INFORMED AND COMMUNITARIAN

INCULTURATED