Proofs | Search | Previous | Contents | Next

Roman Catechism
PART I: THE CREED
Faith

In preparing and instructing men in the teachings of Christ the Lord, the Fathers began by explaining the meaning of faith. Following their example, we have thought it well to treat first what pertains to that virtue. Though the word faith has a variety of meanings in the Sacred Scriptures, we here speak only of that faith by which we yield our entire assent to whatever has been divinely revealed.

NECESSITY OF FAITH
That faith thus understood is necessary to salvation no man can reasonably doubt, particularly since it is written: Without faith it is impossible to please God.1 For as the end proposed to man as his ultimate happiness is far above the reach of human understanding, it was therefore necessary that it should be made known to him by God. This knowledge, however, is nothing else than faith, by which we yield our unhesitating assent to whatever the authority of our Holy Mother the Church teaches us to have been revealed by God; for the faithful cannot doubt those things of which God, who is truth itself, is the author. Hence we see the great difference that exists between this faith which we give to God and that which we yield to the writers of human history.

UNITY OF FAITH
Faith differs in degree; for we read in Scripture these words: O thou of little faith, why didst thou doubt;2 and Great is thy faith;3 and Increase our faith.4 It also differs in dignity, for we read: Faith without works is dead;5 and, Faith that worketh by charity.6 But although faith is so comprehensive, it is yet the same in kind, and the full force of its definition applies equally to all its varieties. How fruitful it is and how great are the advantages we may derive from it we shall point out when explaining the Articles of the Creed.


1. Heb 11:16
2. Matt 14:31
3. Matt 15:28
4. Luke 27:50
5. Jas 2:17,20