Creed III

Before Class

• Read chapters 7-8 in U.S. Catholic Catechism for Adults
• Read the following handouts:
  • The Sanctity of Human Life
  • Temptation
  • What is Sin?
  • True God and True Man
  • Did Jesus Always Know He Was God?

Homework

• Read chapters 9-11 in U.S. Catholic Catechism for Adults
• Read the following handouts:
  • The Holy Spirit
  • Infallibility
  • Separated Brethren (Miscellaneous)

To Make Up an Absence

If you are unable to attend this class, please submit to the instructor at the next class written responses to two questions from each chapter and three from the handouts below (for a total of seven questions). Each response should be 2-3 paragraphs in length and address the question completely.

Chapter 7: The Good News: God Has Sent His Son

1. What is the Kingdom of God, and how is it related to the Church? Use a Gospel passage about the Kingdom to explain your answer (see CCC 541-554).
2. How are the Christological teachings of early Church councils (p. 87) an example of development of doctrine (see Dei Verbum 8)?
3. How does honoring ethnic and cultural diversity show respect for human dignity? What is the source of the unity of all peoples?

Chapter 8: The Saving Death and Resurrection of Christ

1. Christ's sacrifice was an act of atonement, an act of satisfaction and reparation, and an expiation for our sins (p. 92). Give an everyday example of each of these kinds of acts outside the context of the Gospel. How is it that only Christ could have accomplished our reconciliation to God?
2. Outline a convincing argument for the Resurrection from the historicity of the New Testament (the New Testament scriptures as historical, not necessarily inspired, documents).
3. "Unless [the Resurrection] happened, there would be no Church and no Eucharist" (p. 97). Explain, citing at least one passage from Scripture.

Handouts

• The Sanctity of Human Life
  "Abortion, euthanasia, and suicide are all tragic effects of a society that has ceased to value the intrinsic worth of the person." Explain, using examples from our society.
• Temptation
  What is the difference between temptation and sin? Describe the three basic sources of temptation and how to resist temptation.
• What is Sin?
  What is mortal sin and venial sin, and how can they be distinguished? What are the effects of each on the soul? How must we respond when faced with the reality of sin?
• True God and True Man
  Choose a modern-day religious group (such as Mormons, Jehovah's witnesses, Christian Scientists, Unitarians, etc.) that teaches a form of one of the heretical doctrines described. How specifically does that group's doctrine contradict Church teaching? How do you explain the revival of many ancient heresies today?
• Did Jesus Always Know He was God?
  Answer this question, using at least one passage from Scripture in your response. How is the mystery of the Incarnation at the heart of this question?