Catechism of the Catholic Church |
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Pages: 928 (Paperback) ISBN: 0879739762 Pub: Our Sunday Visitor Pub date: 2000-03 Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 5866 |
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Editorial Review:
Catechism of the Catholic Church is the first new edition of the catechism in 400 years. Catechism means "instruction" and this text will remain the standard reference for Catholics for many future generations. It is the authoritative summary of Catholic belief regarding the Church creeds, sacraments, commandments and prayers. To get some idea of the level of detail with which the Catechism engages Catholic doctrine, consider that 17 pages of explanation accompany the opening words of the Apostle's Creed ("I Believe in God the Father"). The book is exceptionally well organised, with line-by-line explanations of every conceivable aspect of orthodox Catholic belief. Extensive cross-referencing, indexing and footnotes and "In Brief" summaries of each section further ease the project of finding the precise answers to any questions a reader might have. Even the layout of information on the page is easy on the eyes, with wide margins for readers who wish to make notes. Furthermore, the back cover features a true rarity in the annals of world literature: a blurb by the Pope. --Michael Joseph Gross
Reader Reviews:
Everyone should read this (4/9 people found this helpful)
Profound, thought provoking, challenging ,life affirming... you are not really living unless you have engaged with this book. It addresses almost every area of life and asks all the vital questions. I remain a committed Catholic with many reservations - in particular a frustration at the church's attitude to sexuality and the exclusion of women from the church's hierarchy, but nonetheless this book is an extraordinary philosophical, spiritual and wonderful resource.
The handbook for the Christian life (17/20 people found this helpful)
This is the simplest and most thorough account of what Christians believe, authored by the Church and for the Church. Take it absolutely seriously: it is academic, it is accessible, and should be top of every theology reading list. The Catholic Catechism has four sections, that deal with what Christians believe, Christian worship, Christian life and finally prayer. The first section covers Christian confession, and therefore runs through the creeds. The second on worship is called the `Celebration of Christian Mystery - the Sacramental economy', covering the church service and sacraments. This account of the seven sacraments still seems a little individualistic and mechanical to me, as though the recovered fuller ecclesiology of Vatican II, in which mechanical understandings were replaced by a stronger pneumatology and thus a greater sense of direct and personal engagement, has not entirely filtered through to Catholic understanding of sacraments.
The third section is entitled `Life in Christ', and `Man's vocation: Life in the Spirit', and sets out Christian moral teaching and ethics, particularly through the Ten Commandments, and sketches out the truly evangelical social and political teaching of the Catholic Church.
Finally the Catechism teaches us how to pray, running through the petitions of the Lord's prayer, and what to pray for. The Catechism references every statement to Scripture, to encyclicals, and to great teachers from every period of the Church, cross-referencing from one section to another.
I recommend the Catechism of the Catholic Church because it is a seriously academic work, and because it has authority. It is not only what Christians believe, and it is not only what the church teaches, but every particle in it has the weight of law. You can quote it as law, and that is really very handy. You say it is not binding on you because you are a Protestant - yes, but a good law is a good law. It is to your advantage too. We should read the Catechism, learn it, quote it, respect and cherish it.
Then you can go on to explore some of the most evangelical (yes, you heard) teaching of the contemporary Church in the encyclicals of Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI (all online at vatican dot va)
Excellent. Especiall insipring for the established Catholic (30/32 people found this helpful)
This book is a must have reference manual for every Catholic. It provides a clear, well laid out version of Catholic beliefs and acts to provide rationales for the beliefs. For the newer Catholic, you may find this book a little daunting, perhaps purchasing an accompanying more simple book would be helful.
I wish that I had purchased this item whilst I was studying theology at school, and before I was confirmed. In the short space of time I have owned the book it has served several times as a point of reference and clarification. Excellent value for money, well written and include footnotes. The preface from Pope John Paul II was an excellent and inspiring read.
A Dependable Resource (6/8 people found this helpful)
The "Catechism of the Catholic Church" is the definitive source for anyone interested in the teachings of the Catholic Church on almost any topic on which the Church has taken an official position.
The catechism, the first in four centuries, is divided into four parts. Each part is divided into Sections, Chapters, Articles and subordinate divisions. The principles of each article are summarized in a conclusion entitled "In Brief".
The Catechism is well indexed. The footnotes provide citations to sources including the Bible, the writings of the Doctors of the Church, documents of Ecumenical Councils and other authoritative writings.
Part One- "The Profession of Faith", begins with the sources of Revelation, followed by Man's Response to God's Revelation. It concludes with a clause by clause analysis of the ancient Creed of the Church.
Part Two- "Celebration of the Christian Mystery" explains Church teachings on the liturgy and the sacraments through which God touches and nourishes the life of man.
Part Three- "Life In Christ" presents the Church's teaching on Christian morality, including a study of each of the Ten Commandments.
Part Four- "Christian Prayer" examines man's communication with God.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church is an invaluable resource for anyone seeking the know the truths which the Catholic Church teaches. For the Catholic, it is a guide to a deeper understanding of the truths which we profess. For one investigating the Catholic Faith, the Catechism is a reliable presentation of the teachings from the highest ecclesiastical authority. Whether read in its entirety or consulted for a specific question, The Catechism of the Catholic Church deserves a place in every Catholic home as well as in the home of every seeker of truth.
A Dependable Resource (50/53 people found this helpful)
The "Catechism of the Catholic Church" is the definitive source for anyone interested in the teachings of the Catholic Church on almost any topic on which the Church has taken an official position.
The catechism, the first in four centuries, is divided into four parts. Each part is divided into Sections, Chapters, Articles and subordinate divisions. The principles of each article are summarized in a conclusion entitled "In Brief".
The Catechism is well indexed. The footnotes provide citations to sources including the Bible, the writings of the Doctors of the Church, documents of Ecumenical Councils and other authoritative writings.
Part One- "The Profession of Faith", begins with the sources of Revelation, followed by Man's Response to God's Revelation. It concludes with a clause by clause analysis of the ancient Creed of the Church.
Part Two- "Celebration of the Christian Mystery" explains Church teachings on the liturgy and the sacraments through which God touches and nourishes the life of man.
Part Three- "Life In Christ" presents the Church's teaching on Christian morality, including a study of each of the Ten Commandments.
Part Four- "Christian Prayer" examines man's communication with God.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church is an invaluable resource for anyone seeking the know the truths which the Catholic Church teaches. For the Catholic, it is a guide to a deeper understanding of the truths which we profess. For one investigating the Catholic Faith, the Catechism is a reliable presentation of the teachings from the highest ecclesiastical authority. Whether read in its entirety or consulted for a specific question, The Catechism of the Catholic Church deserves a place in every Catholic home as well as in the home of every seeker of truth.
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Books -> Subjects -> Religion & Spirituality -> Christianity -> Theology -> Catechisms
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