FAITH- A THEOLOGICAL VIRTUE (1 of 3)

 

"Faith is the theological virtue by which we believe in God and believe all that he has said and revealed to us, and that Holy Church proposes for our belief, because he is truth itself. By faith "man freely commits his entire self to God." For this reason the believer seeks to know and do God's will. "The righteous shall live by faith." Living faith "work[s] through charity."

 

~ Catechism of the Catholic Church #1814

 

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NEW AMERICAN BIBLE REFERENCES

 

Romans 1:17 (ref Romans 3:21-22; Hebrews 2:4; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:38); Galatians 5:6 (ref Galatians 3:28; Galatians 6:15; 1 Corinthians 7:19); James 2:26; Matthew 8; Matthew 10:32-33 (ref Luke 12:8-9); cf. Council of Trent (1547): DS 1545; Lumen Gentium, 42; cf. Dignitatis Humanae, 14.

 

 

CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

(CCC) REFERENCES

 

1813-16 (link to theological virtue reference)

central mysteries of the, 234, 647, 2558

the Church as guardian of the, 171, 181, 507

deposit of the, 84-95, 173-75

dogmas of the, 88-90

education in the, 1656, 2225-26

education in the faith and catechesis, 4-6

of the faithful as the faith of the Church, received from the apostles, 949

perseverance in the faith and its defense, 162, 2088

proclamation, institution, and propagation of the, 3-10, 24, 91, 171, 425, 927, 935, 939

professing the faith as a duty and task, 2145, 2471-72

witness to the, 1816, 2220, 2473-74

See also Believing

 

as an act of belief

        "Analogy of faith," 114

        Baptism and, 1236, 1253-55

        Baptism, Confirmation, and the power to profess, 1270, 1305, 1319

        birth of, 683-84, 875

        Catechism of the Catholic Church and the doctrine of, 13-18, 23

        death for the sake of, 1281, 2473-74

        diversity of faith between spouses, 1633-37

        Eucharist as sum and summary of, 1327

        evil and the answer of, 309

        family as a community of, 2204

        as a gift of God, 153

        God and the things ordained by God as the object of, 150-52, 170, 178, 182, 206

        grounds of, 156, 651

        as a human act by no means contrary to freedom and human reason, 154-55

        idolatry as a temptation to, 2113

        motives of, 156

        Muslims and faith in the one God, 841

        prayer of, 2570, 2610-11, 2613, 2616

        science and, 159

        significance of, 26, 142-43, 150

        sins against, 2088-89

        supernatural sense of, 91-93, 889, 904

        temptations and difficulties on the path of, 164

        test of doubt, 644, 1381, 2088-89

        ultimate trial of, 675

        See also Believing

 

aids to teaching the faith

        awareness of God's almighty power, 274

        bishops as teachers of the, 12, 888, 2034

        catechumenate and initiation into the, 1247-48

        the Catholic Church as educator in the, 168-69, 197, 868, 1124

        defending and spreading the, 1285

        example of Abraham, 144-45

        example of Mary, 148-49

        example of our ancestors, 147

        Holy Spirit, 1098, 1520

        Law, 1963

        liturgy, 1083, 1204, 1206

        Magisterium, 890, 892

        sacraments, 1123, 1305

        sacred images, 1192

        witness of Christian life, 2044

        Word of God, 131, 1102, 1122, 1154

 

creeds and formulas of belief

        Apostles' Creed, 194

        baptismal profession, 189

        language of faith, 170-71, 185

        Nicene Creed, 195

        parts and articles of the Creed, 190-91

        significance of the Creed, 186-88, 197

 

effects of faith

        acceptance and understanding of Revelation, 99, 158

        access to the

                Eucharistic mystery, 1381

                mystery of Christ's Resurrection, 1000

                mystery of the Church, 770, 779, 812

                mystery of death, 1006

        awareness of one's dignity, 1692

        belonging to the People of God, 782

        confirmed communion of spouses, 1644

        divine concession to those who ask, 548

        embodiment of Christ, 818

        embracing God's almighty power, 273

        good conscience and charity, 1794

        knowledge of God, 2614

        moral discretion, 2038

        one Church in one faith, 818-19

        question of evil, 309, 324

        repentance, 1492

        sharing in Christ's prophetic office, 785

        source of moral life, 2087, 2716

        source of prayer and help, 2656, 2662, 2754

 

obedience of faith

        hearing God's Word and, 2716

        Mary and, 144, 494

        as the principal moral obligation, 2087

        significance of, 143-44

 

properties and nature of faith:

        acts contrary neither to freedom nor to human reason, 154-55, 180

        beginning of eternal life, 163-65

        certitude of, 157

        freedom of, 160

        full assent to God, 143, 155, 176, 2609

        grace given by God, 153, 162, 179, 298, 2005

        man's response to God's gift, 142

        necessity of, 161, 183, 846

        only one, 172-75, 866

        perseverance in, 162

        personal act and witness to others, 166

        understanding and growth in, 94-95, 156-59, 176.