Catholic Biblical Apologetics

Apologetics without apology!

What does the Roman Catholic Church teach about ...? ... and why?

This website surveys the origin and development of Roman Catholic Christianity from the period of the apostolic church, through the post-apostolic church and into the conciliar movement. Principal attention is paid to the biblical basis of both doctrine and dogma as well as the role of paradosis (i.e. handing on the truth) in the history of the Church. Particular attention is also paid to the hierarchical founding and succession of leadership throughout the centuries.

This is a set of lecture notes used since 1985 to teach the basis for key doctrines and dogmas of the Roman Catholic Church. The objectives of the course were, and are:

To present the biblical basis for the origin and development of the Roman Catholic Church.
To present the development of the canon of Scripture and evolution of biblical teaching in the Church.
To understand the role of paradosis/tradition in the oral transmission of revelation.
To study the Council of Jerusalem, described in the 15^th chapter of The Acts of the Apostles and its role in the development of doctrine in the conciliar movement in the Church.
To understand the revelation, doctrinal development and practice of the sacramental life in the history of the Church.
To study the role of the Holy Spirit as teaching authority in the Church.
To study the revelation and development of hierarchical authority in the Church.
To understand the hierarchy of truths in the Church as well as the role of private devotion and personal growth in holiness.

The course grew out of the need for the authors to continually answer questions about their faith tradition and their work. (Both authors are active members of Catholic parish communities in the Diocese of Richmond, Virginia. Dr. Robert Schihl was a Professor and Associate Dean of the School of Communication and the Arts at Regent University. Paul Flanagan is a consultant specializing in preparing people for technology based changes.) At the time these notes were first prepared, the authors were spending time in their faith community answering questions about their Protestant Evangelical workplaces (Mr. Flanagan was then a senior executive at the Christian Broadcasting Network), and time in their workplaces answering similar questions about their Roman Catholic faith community. These notes are the result of more than a decade of facilitating dialogue among those who wish to learn more about what the Roman Catholic Church teaches and why.

The Catholic Response to "Are You Saved?"

The Catholic Christian answers this question in three stages or levels corresponding to the three meanings the words "saved" and "salvation" have in the Bible. (These meanings are found in the previous section, "Salvation: A Biblical Portrait." )

Catholic Christians can respond that they have been saved. This acknowledges the first meaning of "saved" and "salvation" in scripture--Jesus Christ, Savior, by whose act of salvation we are objectively saved--He died, rose from the dead, saved them from sin.

2 Cor 5:17: So whoever is in Christ is a new creation

Catholic Christians can also respond that they are being saved. This acknowledges the second meaning "saved" and "salvation" have in scripture--the present experience, God's power delivering constantly from the bondage of sin.

1 Cor 15:2: Through it (the gospel) you are also being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.

Catholic Christians also respond that they will be saved, that they have hope and confidence that God will give them the grace of perseverance; that they will respond to it; and accept his gift of salvation until their death. This acknowledges the third meaning the words "saved" and "salvation" have in scripture--the future deliverance of believers at the Second Coming of Christ.

Rom 5:9: How much more then, since we are now justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath.

Finishing the topic of salvation tomorrow.

1 posted on 02/06/2010 8:21:24 PM PST by Salvation

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2 posted on 02/06/2010 8:23:42 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)

excellent source materials.....

3 posted on 02/06/2010 8:25:55 PM PST by raygunfan

Seems like a long diatribe about something so simple as asking Jesus to come into your heart and be your savior. IMHO

4 posted on 02/06/2010 8:26:34 PM PST by doc1019 (To call Obama a bumbling idiot would be an insult to bumbling idiots worldwide.)

5 posted on 02/06/2010 8:26:36 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)

It’s just expanding on this former thread — http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/2444697/posts?page=1

Sorry it seems so ordinary to you. It’s very important to all Catholics.

6 posted on 02/06/2010 8:28:45 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)

Yet so simple for mankind.

7 posted on 02/06/2010 8:30:27 PM PST by doc1019 (To call Obama a bumbling idiot would be an insult to bumbling idiots worldwide.)

You wrote:

“Seems like a long diatribe about something so simple as asking Jesus to come into your heart and be your savior.”

So, you think Jesus just asks for us to ask Him to come into our hearts as our Savior? No repentance is necessary? I guess we should just ignore those verses about obeying commandments while we’re at it?

“But if you want to e