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THE LIGHT OF CHRIST AN INTRODUCTION TO CATHOLICISM
THOMAS JOSEPH WHITE, OP
The Catholic University of America Press Washington, D.C.
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Copyright © 2017 The Catholic University of America Press All rights reserved The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of American National Standards for Information Science—Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Library Material Materials, ANSI Z39.48-1984. ∞ Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Names: White White,, Thomas Joseph, Jos eph, 1971– author. Title: The light of Christ : an introduction to Catholicism / Thomas Joseph White, OP. Description: Washington, D.C. : Catholic University of America Press, 2017. | Includes bibliographical references and index. Identifiers: LCCN 2017014454 | ISBN 9780813229713 (pbk. : alk. paper) Subjects: LCSH: Catholic Church — Doctrines. | Theology, Doctrinal — Popular works. Classification: LCC BX1754 .W45 2017 | DDC 230/.2 — dc23 LC record available at a t https://lccn.loc.gov/20 https://lccn.loc.gov/2017014454 17014454 Nihil Obstat: Rev. Thomas Petri, OP Im Im primi Potest: P otest: Very Rev. Kenneth R. Letoile, OP Prior Provincial August 11, 2016 Nihil Obstat: Rev. Thomas Petri, OP Censor Deputatus Deputatus Imprim Imprim atur: Most Rev. Barry C. Knestout Auxiliary Bishop of Washington Archdiocese of Washington Sept. 16, 2016
The nihil obstat and and imprimatur are are official declarations that a book or pamphlet is free of doctrinal or moral error. There is no implication that those who have granted the nihil obstat and and the imprimatur agree agree with the content, opinions, or statements expressed therein. ISBN-13: ISBN-13: 978-0-8132-2972-0 (electronic) (electronic)
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The Church, though dispersed throughout the whole world, even to the ends of the earth, has received from the apostles and their disciples this faith: She believes in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are in them; and in one Christ, Jesus the Son of God, who became incarnate for our salvation; and in the Holy Spirit who proclaimed through the prophets the dispensations of God: [announcing in prophecy] the birth from a virgin, and the passion, and the resurrection from the dead, and the ascension into heaven in the flesh of the beloved Christ, Jesus our Lord, and His future manifestation from heaven in the glory of the Father to gather all things in one, and to raise up anew all flesh of the whole human race. . . . As I have already observed, the Church, having received this preaching and this faith, although scattered throughout the whole world, yet as if occupying but one house, carefully preserves it. She also beli believes these points of doctrine just as if she had but one soul, and one and the same heart, and she proclaims them, and teaches them, and hands them down, with perfect harmony, as if she possessed only one mouth. For, although the languages of the world are dissimilar, yet the content of the [apostolic] tradition is one and the same. For the churches which have been planted in Germany do not believe or hand down anything different, nor do those in Spain, nor those in Gaul, nor those in the East, nor those in Egypt, nor those in Libya, nor those which have been established in the central regions of the world. But as the sun, that creature of God, is one and the same throughout the whole world, so also the preaching of the truth shines everywhere, and enlightens all men that are willing to come to a knowledge of the truth. Irenaeus (ca. 180
A.D.)
Irenaeus, Against Heresie Heresiess I, 10, 1–2, trans. A. Roberts and W. Rambaut, in Ante-Nicene Fathers Fathers, vol. 1, ed. A. Roberts, Roberts , J. J . Donaldson, Donaldso n, and A. C. Coxe (Buffalo, N. Y.: Christian Literature Literature Publishing, 1885); 1885) ; trans lation lation slightly slightly modified.
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The Divine Names Knowing the Trinity The Trinity and Christian Mysticism Thinking about the Trinity Is Trinitarian Faith Monotheistic?
3. Creation and the Human Person Creation ex Nihilo A Hierarchy of Natures Natural Sciences Sciences and the Book of Genesis Why the Human Person? The Meeting Point of the Spiritual and Physical Imago Dei Creation in Grace: Original Justice The Fall The Non-Chri Non-Christi stian an Search for God: Natural Law and Grace Salvation Is from the Jews: Prophecy and Judaism
4. Incarnation and Atonement Why Did God Become Human? The Divinity of Christ
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The Humani Humanity ty of Chri Christ st Christ’s Life and Teaching Atonement The Resurrection
5. The Church The Holy Spirit and the Apostolic College The Seven Sacraments The Sacrifice of the Mass Justification Justifi cation and a nd Sanctificati Sanctification on “No Salvation Outside the Church”? States of Life: The T he Vocations Vocations of Pr Priests, iests, Laity La ity,, and Reli R eligi gious ous The Virgin Mary
6. Social Doctrine The Perennial Controversy Justice and the City of Man The Sanctification of Sex Religious Freedom
7. The Last Things 7
Death and Final Judgment Hell Purgatory Heaven Universal Resurrection
Epilogue: On Prayer
Recommended Readings Bibliography Index
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This book is dedicated to R. R. Reno, in friendship
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