Key Points on Catholicism

Overview

• Central Role: Largest Christian denomination and religious organization worldwide
• High Church: Emphasize authority and tradition; claim to be the one true church
• Comparison with Orthodox Churches: Less exclusive, more willing to recognize other Christianities, more open to change
• Wide Range: Spectrum of liberal and conservative Catholics; liberals much rarer compared to other denominations

Core Beliefs

• Shared with Christians: Nyine Creed, Seven Ecumenical Councils (considered infallible)

Unique Beliefs

• Virgin Mary:
  • Mother of God
  • Perpetual Virginity
  • Sinless (Immaculate Conception)
  • Queen of Heaven (assumed into Heaven)
  • Intercedes for believers (pray to Saints)
• Saints:
  • Not worshipped; seen as intercessors
• Purgatory:
  • Purification after death, not extra punishment
• Transubstantiation:
  • Bread and wine become the real body and blood of Christ during communion

Salvation

• Through the Church: Church as the institution for forgiveness of sins and administering sacraments
• State of Grace: Begins at Baptism; maintained through faith and good works
• Mortal Sin: Can kill faith but can be restored through confession

Church Structure

• Hierarchy: Bishops to the Pope (Episcopal structure)
• Apostolic Succession: Bishops ordained in a direct line from the apostles
• Papal Infallibility: Infallible statements in certain cases only

Sin and Theology

• Original Sin: Agreement with Protestants on guilt from Adam’s sin
• Concupiscence: Agreement with Eastern Orthodox; desire to sin isn’t sin

Differences with Orthodoxy

• Filioque: Disagreement on the Holy Spirit’s procession
• Rationalism vs. Mysticism: Catholics more rational (influenced by scholasticism), Orthodox more mystical
• Divine Simplicity: Catholics (Aquinas’s view) versus Orthodox (Essence-Energy distinction)
• Apologetics: Catholics prefer classical apologetics (natural and special revelation)

Impact of the Catholic Church

• Charitable Contributions: Largest charitable organization
• Western Civilization: Impact on the university system, scientific method, hospital systems, and nuclear family