| A | B |
|---|
| 9.What is a spirit? | A spirit is a being that has understanding and free will; but no body; and will never die. |
| 10. What do we mean when we say that God is self-existing? | When we say that God is self-existing we mean that He does not owe His existence to any other being. |
| 11.What do we mean when we say that God is infinitely perfect? | When we say that God is infinitely perfect we mean that He has all perfections without limit. |
| 12. What are some of the perfections of God? | Some of the perfections of God are: God is eternal; all-good; all-knowing; all-present; and almighty. |
| 13. What do we mean when we say that God is eternal? | When we say that God is eternal we mean that He always was and always will be; and that He always remains the same. |
| 14. What do we mean when we say that God is all-good? | When we say that God is all-good we mean that He is infinitely lovable in Himself and that from His fatherly love every good comes to us. |
| 15. What do we mean when we say that God is all-knowing? | When we say that God is all-knowing we mean that He knows all things; past; present; and future; even our most secret thoughts; words and actions. |
| 16. What do we mean when we say that God is all-present? | When we say that God is all-present we mean that He is everywhere. |
| 17. If God is everywhere; why do we not see Him? | Although God is everywhere; we do not see Him because He is a spirit and cannot be seen with our eyes. |
| 18. Does God see us? | God sees us and watches over us with loving care. |
| 19. What is Gods loving care for us called? | Gods loving care for us is called Divine Providence. |
| 20. What do we mean when we say that God is almighty? | When we say that God is almighty we mean that He can do all things. |
| 21. Is God all-wise; all-holy; all-merciful; and all-just? | Yes. God is all-wise; all-holy; all-merciful; and all-just. |
| 22. Can we know by our natural reason that there is a God? | We can know by our natural reason that there is a God; for natural reason tells us that the world we see about us could have been made only by a self-existing Being; all-wise and almighty. |
| 23. Can we know God in any other way than by our natural reason? | Besides knowing God by our natural reason; we can also know Him from supernatural revelation; that is; from the truths found in Sacred Scripture and in Tradition; which God Himself has revealed to us. |
| 23 A. What do we mean when we say that God has revealed these truths to us? | When we say that God has revealed these truths to us we mean that He has made them known to certain persons; to be announced to their fellow men as the word of God. |
| 23 B. What is the Bible? | The Bible is the written word of God; committed to His Church for the instruction and sanctification of mankind. |
| 23 C. What do we mean when we say that the entire Bible is inspired? | When we say that the entire Bible is inspired we mean that its principal author is God; though it was written by men whom God enlightened and moved to write all those things; and only those things; that He wished to be written. |
| 23 D. How is the Bible divided? | The Bible is divided into the Old Testament; written before the coming of Jesus Christ; and the New Testament; written after His ascension into heaven. |
| 23 E. Are all the passages of the Bible to be understood according to our modern manner of expression? | No; some of the passages of the Bible are not to be understood according to our modern manner of expression; since they contain certain figures of speech; parables; and literary forms used by the people of ancient times but not employed in the present. |
| 23 F. How can we know the true meaning of the Bible? | We can know the true meaning of the Bible from the teaching authority of the Catholic Church; which has received from Jesus Christ the right and the duty to teach and to explain all that God has revealed. |
| 23 G. Are Catholics encouraged by the Church to read the Bible? | Yes; Catholics are encouraged by the Church to read the Bible; especially the Gospels; which tell about the earthly life of Jesus Christ; the Son of God made man. |
| 23 H. What is the chief message of the New Testament? | The chief message of the New Testament is the joyful announcement of our salvation through Jesus Christ. |
| 23 I. What is Divine Tradition? | Divine Tradition is the unwritten word of Godthat is truths revealed by God; though not written in the Bible and given to the Church through word of mouth by Jesus Christ or by the apostles under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. |
| 23 J. Has Divine Tradition ever been committed to writing? | Divine Tradition has been committed to writing; especially by saintly writers called Fathers; who lived in the early centuries but were not inspired; as were those who wrote the Bible. |
| 23 K. Has Divine Tradition the same force as the Bible? | Yes; Divine Tradition has the same force as the Bible; since it too contains Gods revelation to men. |
| 23 L. By what kind of act do we believe the doctrines contained in the Bible and in Divine Tradition? | We believe the doctrines contained in the Bible and Divine Tradition by an act of divine faith; which means that we accept them on the authority of God; who can neither deceive nor be deceived. |
| 24. Is there only one God? | Yes; there is only one God. |
