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.