What is a Catechism?

Question

I often see people saying "Why do you quote from your Catechism?" "Why not just use the Bible"

Well, first, do you know what the word "catechism" means? It is from the Greek "katēchein" meaning "to teach". So, it is the teaching of the Church. Very simple.

The Bible is the inspired word of God. All of us Christians understand this. But, a Bible exegete (interpreter) will tell you that the Bible is what we call "materially sufficient" but not "formally sufficient" for knowing the Christian faith. In other words, all the "stuff" (as Carl Sagan would say) or "material" is in there, but it is not laid out in a "form" as to be perfectly clear what it is saying.

Enter "the Church". Christ established a teaching church: "..go and make disciples of all nations.. ..teaching them to obey everything I have commanded" (Matt 28: 19-20). And that's what the Catechism is, the fulfillment of Christ's command to the apostles, and their sucessors, to teach.

I have read commentary from many protestant pastors who admire the Catechism. They may not agree with parts of it, but other parts pertaining to the Trinity, Creation,the nature of Christ, etc., they have found very enlightening.

It is online at:
http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/entiretoc1.htm

Comments? Thoughts?

(PS: Whenever you see my answers that say "CCC" then a number, CCC stands for Catechism Of The Catholic Church. So NOW you know what that means.)

I'm sorry: I should clarify: I am speaking of the Catechism promulgated by Pope John Paul II based on the Second Vatican Council, which is the norm which all other Catholic Catechism are to draw from

Answer 1

I agree!

Catechism is from the Greek word, "Katēchein" meaning to teach. But who is the teacher? Does the teacher has authority?

The Catechism of the Catholic Church is from the Magisterium of the Church. Magisterium is from the Latin word magister meaning teacher.

The Magisterium is composed of the Pope (Peter's successor) and Bishops (Apostles' successor).

The authority comes from Jesus. The Magisterium is infallible when it teaches officially because Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to guide the apostles and their successors "into all truth" (John 16:12-13).

Thus, the Catechism of the Catholic Church is a credible source of teaching.

Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam

Answer 2

You should note that there are many catechisms, which have been used as teaching devices by a broad spectrum of Christian churches through the ages. I agree with your assessment that a catechism seeks to make the truth that is behind the scriptures more accessible.

It should be noted that every catechism, like the texts in the scriptural cannons, was written within and addressed to the people of a particular time and culture.

Answer 3

As a non-Catholic, I must agree with you on this point...by this reasoning (that is the reasoning of those asking you the question you describe) , one could say the same thing of any teaching from any church, or any book on Christianity (in other words one could say "Why quote from that Christian book instead of from the Bible?"). What we must do instead is look deep into that teaching and use discernment to determine if it is truth or not. The difference with any church teaching / book and the Bible however, is that there is no disputing the divinely inspired nature of the Bible.

Answer 4

We cathecize our sons because they are children. Of course there are different Cathecisms.

I have not read the Catholic Cathecism but the bible is sufficient for life and all godliness.

Answer 5

Jack Chick at his best

Answer 6

It's a Catholic Doctrine, similar to pirate's code. Parlay?

Answer 7

Well put. it is good logic.

Answer 8

Oh good, i didn't want to know that.

Answer 9

Ok, thanks Romanist.