Catholic and Christian: An Explanation of Commonly Misunderstood Catholic Beliefs

By Alan Schreck

You're on the spot. Someone wants you to explain some aspect of Catholic belief. Do you really think the pope is infallible? Why do Catholics pray to Mary? Where do sacraments come from? What do you think of the Bible? Are you saved? You wish some well-informed Catholic friend were around to help with the answer. Or perhaps you are asking the questions yourself. Where do Catholic beliefs come from? Why do we pray for the dead? How does the rosary fit into a biblical faith? The best-selling Catholic and Christian provides the answers you need. It is a readable and concise summary of commonly misunderstood Catholic beliefs the teachings and practices that don't get much attention in Sunday homilies and in religious education, but which puzzle Catholics and non-Catholics alike. This is a book for all Catholics who want to know more about their faith.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Jan 19, 2023
• ISBN: 9781635823172

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PREFACE

TO THE REVISED EDITION

Twenty years after the publication of Catholic and Christian, I have been reflecting on how the faith of the Catholic Church is, as Saint Augustine said, ever ancient, ever new.

Ever ancient, the Catholic Church remains ...the church of the living God, the pillar and bulwark of the truth (1 Tm 3:15) against timeworn heresies that reemerge today as new possibilities for understanding Christianity for those with open minds. For example, the gnostic writings that were universally rejected by the early church as distortions of the truth about Jesus are now being rediscovered. Some scholars and popular writers tout the gnostic scriptures as valid alternative understandings of Jesus and Christianity, perhaps even revealing truths about Jesus that were suppressed by the patriarchal hierarchy of the emerging Catholic Church of the first four centuries. Maybe, for instance, the really important woman in Jesus’ life was not his mother Mary, but Mary Magdalene to whom Jesus (they claim) might have been married. (Usually no attempt is made to explain the growing honor the church gave to female martyrs and to Mary, the mother of Jesus, during this same period when women were allegedly marginalized within the Christian community.)

Even though these current misunderstandings or misrepresentations of Catholic Christianity and the Catholic Church were not specifically envisaged or addressed in Catholic and Christian, nonetheless they really are answered here. Through faith, Catholics believe that the leaders and leadership requirements that emerged in early Christianity were not the product of chance or the result of a power struggle, but came about according to God’s will and plan for his church. Catholics believe that the Holy Spirit came to guide these leaders in forming the church, her discipline, and her teaching, in accordance with the will and plan of Jesus and his Father. The Holy Spirit was given to enable the church to discern which writings he had inspired as God’s revelation of truth for all times, and which writings were not inspired. The ever ancient warning remains true that in times to come ...people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own likings [i.e. to support their own opinions and prejudices], and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander into myths (2 Tm 4:3-4). Christians who take the Bible and traditional understandings of the faith seriously should draw together to refute novel religions and the interpretations of Christianity that we encounter today. St. Paul’s admonition to the church in Galatia is still relevant: If any one is preaching to you a gospel contrary to that which you received, let him be accursed (Gal 1:9). We must band together to defend the essential Christian faith that we have received from the church against the relativism and unbelief that are rampant in the post-Christian West. As always, Catholic Christians are called to proclaim joyfully and with hope, by words and deeds, the treasure of our ever-ancient faith in Christ and his gospel as it is faithfully preserved in his church.

As to the faith of the church being ever new, I would like to share a deeper insight into the truth of the Catholic faith that I recently received, I think, through the Holy Spirit. The insight has to do with the centrality of the Eucharist in the Christian life and in my own life. For years I have received Jesus Christ in the Eucharist frequently, even daily, at Mass. This is not a requirement for Catholics, but I have made it a personal priority in order to worship the Lord and grow in my relationship with him. For some reason, however, I balked at certain phrases that seemed to me to overstate the importance of the Eucharist, such as when people speak of our Eucharistic Lord or state that a youth day was extremely Eucharistic. Why not, I would think, focus on Jesus present in his Word or in his people or his ongoing presence in us and in the Church through his Holy Spirit? Even though I appreciated and valued adoration of Christ before the Blessed Sacrament, I was turned off by T-shirts referring to the Eucharist or pictures featuring the large, ornate monstrances that display the consecrated host during benediction and holy hours. I knew that the Eucharist is the real presence of Jesus and a tremendous gift to us, his people. Nevertheless, it was difficult for me to grasp how we could place so much emphasis on it without diminishing the presence and work of Jesus in other ways such as in his Word, in prayer, and in the interior graces and promptings of the Holy Spirit. Intellectually I thought I understood this, but something in my spirit was not settled.

My growth in appreciation for the truth of the centrality of the Eucharist started at a holy hour. Fr. Michael Scanlan, chancellor of Franciscan University, spoke and pointed out that when we open ourselves to receive Jesus present in the Eucharist, he also is present in a special way to receive us. I experienced the truth that when we come before the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, a special communion can take place between the Lord and us. And then it occurred to me why Jesus is present in a unique way in the Eucharist. In the Gospels we learn that throughout his public ministry Jesus was present to his followers through his teaching (his word) and his mighty works, but the climax of his life, teaching and work began at the Last Supper when he gave himself to his apostles in his body and blood. Yes, this was a sign of the blood he would shed and his body which would be broken the next day on the cross at Calvary, but the Eucharist was the way that they could actually receive his Body and Blood, sacramentally, in a way that they could not receive his physical body and blood broken and poured out on the cross. Then, after his resurrection, the disciples on the road to Emmaus testified that they recognized Jesus in the breaking of the bread, the Eucharist.

I also understood more deeply how the first part of the Mass, the penitential rite and the whole Liturgy of the Word, is a preparation for the climactic moment when the body and blood of Jesus, offered once and for all at Calvary, is made truly present and given to us to receive in the Eucharist. Christ is certainly present in his Word proclaimed in the Liturgy, but his Word points to and prepares us for his presence in the Eucharist.

Some might read this and say, Of course, this is what Catholics believe. Why is it so striking to you? To me, my experience illustrates that one can know truths of the faith without always grasping their profound meaning. In fact, the whole adventure of being a Christian is that the faith is a mystery that we only grasp partially but can come to know ever more deeply throughout our lives. I thank the Lord that he revealed to me this truth about the centrality of his presence in the Eucharist just before the Catholic Church starts to celebrate a Year of the Eucharist proclaimed by Pope John Paul II and beginning in October 2004. (As usual, God’s timing is perfect...and once in a while I can see that!)

May the Lord bless you and those who read this twentieth anniversary edition of Catholic and Christian, published in this great Year of the Eucharist.

INTRODUCTION

A Christian is a person whose primary purpose in life is to know, love, and serve Jesus Christ, the Son of God made man. This common purpose binds all Christians together in a real unity, in spite of our disagreements about specific doctrines.

It is especially important today for Christians to realize that what we have in common—our common Christian beliefs, heritage, and mission—is much greater and more important than whatever divides us. Blessed Pope John XXIII frequently expressed this view. This perspective is crucial today considering the awesome threats and challenges posed to Christianity from the increasingly secularized world, from atheistic philosophies, non-Christian religions, and other ideologies opposed to the gospel of Jesus Christ. (This is not to say that there is no truth or value in the world, other religions, and secular ideologies. However they are often in open competition with Christianity for the allegiance of men and women.) It seems evident to me that one of the primary strategies of Satan to defeat the gospel and cause of Jesus Christ in the world is to divide Christians—to involve them in arguments among themselves that divert their efforts and attention away from the great commission of Jesus to make disciples of all nations (Mt 28:19).

The purpose of this book is to clarify the Catholic understanding of certain Christian beliefs in order to promote unity among Christians. The title of the book describes how Catholics view themselves: as Catholic and Christian. Catholics believe that their Church and its teachings, while not the only expression of Christianity, are genuinely Christian, and in fact, the fullest expression of Christianity.

Some may ask, Why is it even necessary to assert this? Isn’t it evident that the Catholic Church has been proclaiming that Jesus is Lord for nearly 2,000 years, and has led millions of people to believe in him and follow him? There are two reasons I see why an explanation of some Catholic teachings is necessary now.

First, many Catholics do not fully understand or live out the gospel message as officially taught by the Catholic Church. There is confusion and uncertainty among many Catholics about the meaning, the biblical roots, and the practical application of the teachings of their own church.¹

Second, some people today (even committed Christians) are openly stating that the Catholic Church and Catholic doctrine is not Christian, or even anti-Christian. These allegations are usually based on an incorrect understanding of what the Catholic Church actually teaches.

As a result, Satan has been able to use this lack of understanding (both among Catholics and others) to divide Christians from one another and to divert their attention and energies away from proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ and advancing his kingdom on earth.

Therefore, this book is intended to help Catholics and other concerned Christians to grasp the true meaning of certain commonly misunderstood teachings of the Catholic Church. This analysis should enable Catholics to appreciate and live out their faith more fully and faithfully. It should also help other Christians to approach Catholics as fellow Christians who view their beliefs as rooted in the Bible and supported by the ongoing guidance of the Holy Spirit.

The first step toward restoring the unity of Christians, which is God’s will (Jn 17:21), and so necessary today, is for Christians to understand and respect one another and their beliefs. This does not mean that we will always agree, but it does mean that we will assume that any perceived errors in the life or doctrine of other Christians are honest errors that any good Christian could make.²

Even if we do not agree in all points of doctrine, Catholics and other Christians do agree and proclaim together that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior, and we are united as Christians in the Holy Spirit, even while we still are divided in our understanding of certain doctrines. My prayer is that this book will contribute to a better understanding of the teaching and tradition of the Catholic Church, so that Catholics and other Christians may grow together in unity in our Christian life and in our common proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

PROLOGUE

Perspective on Catholic Beliefs

As we set out to examine what Catholics believe, it is important to begin with an overall perspective on the principles that guide Catholics in recognizing Christian truth. If we understand these principles, we will be better able to understand the specific Catholic beliefs discussed in this book.

These principles and beliefs will appear to be complex and mentally challenging at times. C. S. Lewis, one of my favorite Christian authors, has pointed out, it is no good asking for a simple religion. After all, real things are not simple. They look simple, but they are not. Lewis says that a wooden table looks simple, but ask a scientist to explain its composition and you encounter a series of mysteries and complications that boggle the mind.¹

Likewise, Christianity, including Catholic Christianity, is not simple. God has designed it so that a child or the simplest person can understand and accept its basic truths, but a genius can spend a lifetime trying to grasp the full implications of even a single Christian truth. St. Thomas More once commented that the truths of Christianity are so designed that a mouse can wade in them, but an elephant can swim in them.

I have attempted to keep this presentation of Catholic Christian beliefs as simple as possible, while still unfolding some of its depth and mystery. Let us proceed to consider some of the basic principles that guide the Catholic Church in recognizing Christian truth and in formulating these truths in its doctrinal statements.

Principle I: God Reveals Christian Truth Through the Holy Spirit

Where do we go to discover Christian truth? Is it all in the Bible? Catholic Christians believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God, and a norm for judging the truth of all Christian beliefs. That is, no Christian belief can out-rightly contradict the teaching of the Bible. The Second Letter to Timothy declares: All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for refutation, correction, and for training in righteousness, so that one who belongs to God may be competent, equipped for every good work (2 Tm 3:16-17 NAB). Catholics believe that this teaching applies to all Scripture; both the Old and the New Testaments.

All scripture is inspired by God.... But does this mean that only Scripture is inspired? Catholics do not find this teaching in the Bible. While Catholics believe that the Bible is the foremost and unsurpassed source of God’s revelation, they also believe that God reveals his truth and guides his people in other ways. For example, the New Testament records that the Holy Spirit revealed God’s truth through the gift of prophecy (Acts 11:27-30, 21:10-12; 1 Cor 14:1-4, 31), councils of church leaders (Acts 15:28), and even direct revelations to individuals, such as to Peter (Acts 10:9-17) and Paul (Acts 9, 18:9, 20:22-23, 27:24). Certainly these manifestations of the Holy Spirit had to be tested or discerned—an important responsibility of the Church’s leaders. Even the writings that now comprise the New Testament had to be discerned by those same Church leaders before they were accepted as the inspired Word of God.

Catholics believe that the revelation of God in the Bible is one important way that God reveals himself and guides his people. But the Holy Spirit has also been sent by Jesus to be the Church’s continual guide. The Spirit expands and deepens the Church’s continual guide. The Spirit expands and deepens the Church’s understanding of God’s truth over the course of history. In John’s Gospel, Jesus tells his apostles at the Last Supper, I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth...he will declare to you the things that are to come (Jn 16:12-13). There is no indication that the truth that the Holy Spirit would reveal was limited to the Bible alone. The Bible is a primary work of God’s revelation to humankind, but not the only work. The Second Vatican Council taught that Catholics should not think that there are two sources of revelation, the Bible and tradition, but that there is actually only one Word of God that has been revealed and passed on in written form (the Bible), and also in other forms, such as preaching, spiritual gifts, the Church’s worship, and other unwritten forms inspired or guided by the Holy Spirit.

In other words, Catholics believe that the Bible is the book of Christianity, but not that Christianity is a religion of the book like Judaism. Christianity is not a religion of the written word alone, but of the Holy Spirit. Later we will discuss more fully how the Holy Spirit is present among God’s people to guide them and reveal God’s truth.

Principle II: The Incarnational Principle

Catholics believe that the Incarnation, God becoming human in Jesus Christ, reveals an important truth about the way God chooses to relate to humanity. God could have continued to reveal himself to the human race solely through vision, voices, or angelic messengers. Instead he chose to empty himself (see Phil 2:7) and stoop down to our level by taking on our humanity—appearing in human form as a man that we could see, hear, and touch. Jesus himself used ordinary physical objects, human gestures, and even other people to reveal God’s presence and love. He used water, bread, wine, fish, his touch, and even mud made with his spit, to manifest the love and power of the Father working through him. He gave his apostles, who were ordinary men, the same power and authority that he had to heal, and expel demons, and to use the same signs that he used (water, bread, wine, touch, etc.) to make the presence and power of God visible.

Why? Why did God himself take on our humanity? Why did Jesus choose ordinary men and use the ordinary objects and gestures to show forth and transmit the power of God? Why? Because God knows what human beings are like, and what they need. God created human beings as earthly, physical creatures who experience reality through their bodies and their five senses, and not just through their spirits. Humans are embodied spirits, and God stoops down to our level because he knows that we need to relate to him through what is physical, visible, and tangible. Yes, God also calls humanity to have faith and hope in things that are unseen, which are eternal (2 Cor 4:18). But he graciously uses the things we can see, feel, hear, and touch to reveal his presence and love, and even to give himself to us and share his life with us fully.

What are the practical implications of this principle? Catholics believe that since the Incarnation, God has continued to relate to humanity (revealing his love and giving his life to us) in a human way—using physical objects, human gesture, and men and women whom he has set apart to be his representatives through the commission of Jesus Christ. Catholics believe that God intended there to be effective, visible signs of God’s presence and power, which Catholics call sacraments. These are physical things such as water, oil, salt, bread, and wine, which make visible God’s presence, power, and blessing. Catholics also believe that God can use pictures, statues, medals, and other objects to remind us of him, and of his work in holy men and women whom he has raised up for us to imitate. Catholics believe that God uses certain human beings to continue the ministry of Jesus in the world, as successors of his original apostles. All these things are related to the incarnational principle. This principle affirms that the Church, like Jesus, is not only a spiritual reality, but also a human and earthly one. There is nothing human or of the earth that God cannot and does not use to reveal and communicate his love for us. (St. Francis of Assisi, the patron of the university where I teach, is one of the great men of God who most appreciated this truth and expressed it in his life and teaching.) Hence Catholics believe that we are called to recognize that God uses the material, physical, and human dimension of life to direct our attention and love to him and to his work. Since the Word became flesh (Jn 1:14) as Jesus Christ, the whole human perspective on the value of this world and the true purpose of the things of the world has been entirely transformed.

Principle III: The Hierarchy of Truths

Catholics believe that God reveals the fullness of truth to Christians through the Bible and through the ongoing guidance of the Holy Spirit. There are a wide range of truths that Catholics believe are revealed by God. Some of these truths are accepted by nearly all Christians, such as the divinity of Jesus, the Trinity, Jesus’ intention to establish a church, and many others. Other truths are accepted by Catholics, but not by other Christians, such as the importance of Mary in God’s plan of salvation, the intercessory role of the saints, the existence of purgatory, and so on. Catholics believe that both the former and the latter categories are part of the fullness of Christian truth. So, Catholics do not distinguish between Christian truths and Catholic truths, as if Catholic beliefs were something added on to basic Christianity. Rather, Catholics understand the official teachings of the Catholic Church to be a faithful presentation of the fullness of divine truth that God has revealed through the Bible and