Catechist Formation

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Catechist Formation

• Session 2

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Scripture Gods RevelationPassing On the
Gospel Message
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Scripture

• A privileged mode of revelation
• It is held above all others.

4
The Catholic Approach to Scripture

• We interpret Scripture in context.

5
The Catholic Approach to Scripture

• We interpret Scripture in context.
• We interpret Scripture communally.

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The Context of Scripture

• The human authors are inspired by the Holy Spirit.

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The Context of Scripture

• The human authors are inspired by the Holy
  Spirit.
• They write in
• Different times.

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The Context of Scripture

• The human authors are inspired by the Holy
  Spirit.
• They write in
• Different times.
• Different literary genres (types of literature).

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The Context of Scripture

• The human authors are inspired by the Holy
  Spirit.
• They write in
• Different times.
• Different literary genres (types of literature).
• Different historical and social circumstances.

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The Context of Scripture

• The human authors are inspired by the Holy
  Spirit.
• They write in
• Different times.
• Different literary genres (types of literature).
• Different historical and social circumstances.
• Therefore, the authors write in a way appropriate
  to their abilities, their time and their culture.

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The Context of Scripture Inerrancy

• Catholic definition is different from some
  Christian denominations.

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The Context of Scripture Inerrancy

• Catholic definition is different from some
  Christian denominations.
• Inerrancy means that Scripture is without error
  in that which God has revealed to us for our
  salvation.

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The Context of Scripture Inerrancy

• Catholic definition is different from some
  Christian denominations.
• Inerrancy means that Scripture is without error
  in that which God has revealed to us for our
  salvation.
• It does not mean that Scripture is without error
  in all its aspects, such as science or its
  accounts of historical events.

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The Context of Scripture Deeper Meaning

• Christianity, like Judaism and Islam is a
  historically based religion.

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The Context of Scripture Deeper Meaning

• Christianity, like Judaism and Islam is a
  historically based religion.
• The events of salvation history actually happened.

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The Context of Scripture Deeper Meaning

• Christianity, like Judaism and Islam is a
  historically based religion.
• The events of salvation history actually
  happened.
• However, the Bible is not a history book, so
  those accounts may not be correct in all details.

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The Context of Scripture Deeper Meaning

• Christianity, like Judaism and Islam is a
  historically based religion.
• The events of salvation history actually
  happened.
• However, the Bible is not a history book, so
  those accounts may not be correct in all details.
• Events not considered part of salvation history
  may or may not have happened.

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The Context of Scripture Deeper Meaning

• Christianity, like Judaism and Islam is a
  historically based religion.
• The events of salvation history actually
  happened.
• However, the Bible is not a history book, so
  those accounts may not be correct in all details.
• Events not considered part of salvation history
  may or may not have happened.
• Catholic interpretation looks to the deeper
  meaning of Scripture.

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The Context of Scripture Deeper Meaning

• Christianity, like Judaism and Islam is a
  historically based religion.
• The events of salvation history actually
  happened.
• However, the Bible is not a history book, so
  those accounts may not be correct in all details.
• Events not considered part of salvation history
  may or may not have happened.
• Catholic interpretation looks to the deeper
  meaning of Scripture.
• The inerrancy of Scripture is not denied in any
  way by this approach.

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Scriptural Context aids in interpretation in two
ways

1. Understanding the times, the culture, the
   literary genre, and the specific circumstances
   that produced the text.

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Scriptural Context aids in interpretation in two
ways

1. Understanding the times, the culture, the
   literary genre, and the specific circumstances
   that produced the text.
2. Making the connection to the present.

22
Scriptural Context aids in interpretation in two
ways

1. Understanding the times, the culture, the
   literary genre, and the specific circumstances
   that produced the text.
2. Making the connection to the present.

If we fail to do the first, we risk
misunderstanding the text. If we fail to do the
second, we render the text irrelevant. The text
has nothing to say to us.
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Catholics Interpret in Community

• A rich, 2,000 year history of interpretation
  which shows a diversity of approaches.

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Catholics Interpret in Community

• A rich, 2,000 year tradition of interpretation
  which shows a diversity of approaches.
• We learn about it through commentaries and
  reading guides found in Bibles.

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Catholics Interpret in Community

• A rich, 2,000 year tradition of interpretation
  which shows a diversity of approaches.
• We learn about it through commentaries and
  reading guides found in Bibles.
• We do not decide as individuals how Scripture is
  interpreted.

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Catholics Interpret in Community

• A rich, 2,000 year tradition of interpretation
  which shows a diversity of approaches.
• We learn about it through commentaries and
  reading guides found in Bibles.
• We do not decide as individuals how Scripture is
  interpreted.
• The Church keeps us from error.

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A Ridiculously Brief Summary

• The Old Testament
• A long oral tradition.

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A Ridiculously Brief Summary

• The Old Testament
• A long oral tradition.
• A long editing tradition.

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A Ridiculously Brief Summary

• The Old Testament
• A long oral tradition.
• A long editing tradition.
• The majority of books are in Hebrew, some are in
  Greek.

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A Ridiculously Brief Summary

• The Old Testament
• A long oral tradition.
• A long editing tradition.
• The majority of books are in Hebrew, some are in
  Greek.
• Sometimes called The First Testament or The
  Hebrew Scriptures.

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A Ridiculously Brief Summary

• The New Testament
• A more literate period, therefore a much shorter
  oral tradition.

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A Ridiculously Brief Summary

• The New Testament
• A more literate period, therefore a much shorter
  oral tradition.
• Also a much shorter editing tradition.

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A Ridiculously Brief Summary

• The New Testament
• A more literate period, therefore a much shorter
  oral tradition.
• Also a much shorter editing tradition.
• Written entirely in Greek

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Passing on the Gospel Tradition
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Jesus IS the Word
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Jesus IS the Word

• A person lies at the core of our beliefs. We
  preach Christ and all that is related to him.

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Jesus IS the Word

• A person lies at the core of our beliefs. We
  preach Christ and all that is related to him.
• We do not just learn about Christ, we grow in
  relationship with him.

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Jesus IS the Word

• A person lies at the core of our beliefs. We
  preach Christ and all that is related to him.
• We do not just learn about Christ, we grow in
  relationship with him.
• Christ is the apex of revelation everything
  points to him.

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Jesus IS the Word

• A person lies at the core of our beliefs. We
  preach Christ and all that is related to him.
• We do not just learn about Christ, we grow in
  relationship with him.
• Christ is the apex of revelation everything
  points to him.
• We faithfully pass on the Gospel message in all
  its fullness, not our own interpretation.

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Jesus IS the Word

• A person lies at the core of our beliefs. We
  preach Christ and all that is related to him.
• We do not just learn about Christ, we grow in
  relationship with him.
• Christ is the apex of revelation everything
  points to him.
• We faithfully pass on the Gospel message in all
  its fullness, not our own interpretation.
• Christ leads us to the Trinity, since he exists
  in communion with the Father and the Holy Spirit.

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Salvation and Liberation

• The Good News in Christ we are saved and set
  free.

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Salvation and Liberation

• The Good News in Christ we are saved and set
  free.
• God is not distant and inaccessible.

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Salvation and Liberation

• The Good News in Christ we are saved and set
  free.
• God is not distant and inaccessible.
• God offers us salvation we are His children.

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Salvation and Liberation

• The Good News in Christ we are saved and set
  free.
• God is not distant and inaccessible.
• God offers us salvation we are His children.
• The Reign of God is one of love, justice an peace.

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Salvation and Liberation

• The Good News in Christ we are saved and set
  free.
• God is not distant and inaccessible.
• God offers us salvation we are His children.
• The Reign of God is one of love, justice an
  peace.
• The Reign of God is brought to life in Jesus
  Christ.

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Salvation and Liberation

• The Church is at the service of the Reign of God.

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Salvation and Liberation

• The Church is at the service of the Reign of God.
• We are in pilgrimage to Gods house where the
  Reign will be fully realized.

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Salvation and Liberation

• The Church is at the service of the Reign of God.
• We are in pilgrimage to Gods house where the
  Reign will be fully realized.
• Liberation follows from the Reign of God Christ
  is the Liberator.

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Salvation and Liberation

• The Church is at the service of the Reign of God.
• We are in pilgrimage to Gods house where the
  Reign will be fully realized.
• Liberation follows from the Reign of God Christ
  is the Liberator.
• We are called to address conflict and injustice,
  in love.

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Catechesis Takes Place in the Church

• The faith is passed on in the community of
  believers
• Through writings, the testimony of the saints,
  the Churchs teaching tradition.

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Catechesis Takes Place in the Church

• The faith is passed on in the community of
  believers
• Through writings, the testimony of the saints,
  the Churchs teaching tradition.
• We focus on
• Salvation history in Scripture and Church
  history the history of the people of God.

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Catechesis Takes Place in the Church

• The faith is passed on in the community of
  believers
• Through writings, the testimony of the saints,
  the Churchs teaching tradition.
• We focus on
• Salvation history in Scripture and Church
  history the history of the people of God.
• We examine today in the light of our tradition
  and history.

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Catechesis Takes Place in the Church

• The faith is passed on in the community of
  believers
• Through writings, the testimony of the saints,
  the Churchs teaching tradition.
• We focus on
• Salvation history in Scripture and Church
  history the history of the people of God.
• Examining today in the light of our tradition and
  history.
• Situating the sacraments in the realm of human
  experience.

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Catechesis Takes Place in the Church

• The faith is passed on in the community of
  believers
• Through writings, the testimony of the saints,
  the Churchs teaching tradition.
• We focus on
• Salvation history in Scripture and Church
  history the history of the people of God.
• Examining today in the light of our tradition and
  history.
• Situating the sacraments in the realm of human
  experience.
• Deeper meaning in events past and present, to
  find the mystery of God in them.

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The Good News in All Cultures

• Two principles to help decide whether dimensions
  of culture are fitting

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The Good News in All Cultures

• Two principles to help decide whether dimensions
  of culture are fitting
• Compatibility with the Gospel.

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The Good News in All Cultures

• Two principles to help decide whether dimensions
  of culture are fitting
• Compatibility with the Gospel.
• Communion with the universal Church.

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The Good News in All Cultures

• Two principles to help decide whether dimensions
  of culture are fitting
• Compatibility with the Gospel.
• Communion with the universal Church.
• The demands of the Gospel should not be reduced
  for fear of rejection.

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A Complete Message, Ordered for Understanding

• The very purpose of catechesis is to help the
  person live in communion with Jesus Christ.

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A Complete Message, Ordered for Understanding

• The very purpose of catechesis is to help the
  person live in communion with Jesus Christ.
• Must be related to human life and understanding,
  otherwise just a set of concepts.

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A Complete Message, Ordered for Understanding

• The very purpose of catechesis is to help the
  person live in communion with Jesus Christ.
• Must be related to human life and understanding,
  otherwise just a set of concepts.
• The Gospel satisfies the longing of the human
  heart.

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A Complete Message, Ordered for Understanding

• The very purpose of catechesis is to help the
  person live in communion with Jesus Christ.
• Must be related to human life and understanding,
  otherwise just a set of concepts.
• The Gospel satisfies the longing of the human
  heart.
• We interpret human life in the light of Christ.

63
A Complete Message, Ordered for Understanding

• The very purpose of catechesis is to help the
  person live in communion with Jesus Christ.
• Must be related to human life and understanding,
  otherwise just a set of concepts.
• The Gospel satisfies the longing of the human
  heart.
• We interpret human life in the light of Christ.
• The themes of the Creed illuminate human life.

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A Complete Message, Ordered for Understanding

• The very purpose of catechesis is to help the
  person live in communion with Jesus Christ.
• Must be related to human life and understanding,
  otherwise just a set of concepts.
• The Gospel satisfies the longing of the human
  heart.
• We interpret human life in the light of Christ.
• The themes of the Creed illuminate human life.
• Great human experiences are liturgical moments as
  well.

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A Complete Message, Ordered for Understanding

• The very purpose of catechesis is to help the
  person live in communion with Jesus Christ.
• Must be related to human life and understanding,
  otherwise just a set of concepts.
• The Gospel satisfies the longing of the human
  heart.
• We interpret human life in the light of Christ.
• The themes of the Creed illuminate human life.
• Great human experiences are liturgical moments as
  well.
• Must be integrated fully. Difference between
  catechesis and instruction.

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The CCC Its Nature and Role

• The Catechism of the Catholic Church is a
  compendium of Catholic beliefs intended for the
  universal Church.

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The CCC Its Nature and Role

• The Catechism of the Catholic Church is a
  compendium of Catholic beliefs intended for the
  universal Church.
• Episcopal Synods encouraged to produce local
  catechisms to present the Catholic faith in a way
  suited to society and culture.

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The CCC Its Nature and Role

• The Catechism of the Catholic Church is a
  compendium of Catholic beliefs intended for the
  universal Church.
• Episcopal Synods encouraged to produce local
  catechisms to present the Catholic faith in a way
  suited to society and culture.
• USCCB produced the U.S. Catechism for Adults.

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At our next meeting

• The Art of Teaching the Faith
• The Gift of the Sacraments