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

Well put Catholic Crusader. The English Bible was more available after the invention of the press. The press made copies of the Bible 42 line-bible available to print in 1455 and greater number of books about 1499. Then later then king James bible in year 1611 translated to English and printed. It was not first Bible Translated from the original cannon bible. Polish people also have their own translation bible but it was more better copy and has all the book of the old testament and letter of the original cannon bible not as King James Bible which until to day do not have all the books on the old testament and not perfectly translated plus, It is out date with an old English language.

Why I am writing this because Jesus left a one body which is Church (flock) made out of belivers through his love by trusting use with his holy sprite to teach other show the way by warm love for others to see (to be light of the world). If you say he left bible for use to be guided by, It is very cold for God leave a book because a book can't show deep love or warm love. (People make up their own rules say, "you must do because bible says if not you are going to hell"). He came to us as human ( as Jesus Christ) to show use a deep worm love and understanding and deep relationship with use and to show use that it is possible to love one another by dieing for one another as he did in the cross. So in believing in him so that we may fallow and receive his grace to do his will not by own strengths.

Answer 2

I am sure you realize that the reformers had a catechisms as well, in the form of questions and answers.
Calvin developed a catechism, so did Luther. There is also the Heidelberg catechism as well as the Westminster catechism. These were all Bible based, not the opinions of man. The Church is never spoken of in Scripture as some monolithic structure handing our edicts from on high, or from Rome. It is the body of Christ, all believers. The Scriptures are totally sufficient for the Christian faith. We do not need someone editing them or adding to them to fit our man made doctrines or traditions. The apostles were instructed to teach all that Christ commanded, which would make sense since most people could not read at that time and did not have access to the written word. We have the words of Christ, written down, as well as the inspired letters and the Old Testament, we no longer need someone who claims spiritual superiority to tell us what it says.

Answer 3

Catechism is where I spent every wed afternoon during the school year from first to eighth grade. It was held at the parish center hall.

Answer 4

OMG, you mean the bible, the alleged "word of god" is unintelligible at face value, and that's why you need extra instruction? LOL!
As a former catholic who suffered through catechism, I thank you for that transparent (if lengthy) explanation. And all this time I thought the priest was just "interested" in us young folks.

Answer 5

Even the secret archives and other documents are online at:
http://www.vatican.va/
In multiple languages!.