Those who are familiar with, say, the old Baltimore Catechism may think they know the definition of acedia, which used to be called sloth, which we think of as laziness. But Martin Echavarria, PhD, Dean of Psyc
The Westminster Shorter Catechism offers the following succinct definition of progressive sanctification: ‘Sanctification is the work of God’s free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness...
The Catechism of the Council of Trent, reliable and definitely an expression of the Church’s Magisterium, and surely working from Aquinas has this: Pastors should not neglect to explain the form of the Sacrament of Penance. A knowledge of it will excite the faithful to receive the grace of...
The Catholic Church teaches only Christ is capable of meriting in the strict sense—mere man cannot (Catechism of the Catholic Church 2007). The most merit humans can have is condign—when, under the impetus of God’s grace, they perform acts which please him and which he has promised to...
This article is adapted from “How to Handle Divisive Persons in the Church” at agradio.org. Chris Gordon Chris Gordon is the radio teacher for Abounding Grace Radio, the preaching pastor at Escondido United Reformed Church in California, and the author of The New Reformation ...
Bach was a believer, and was well schooled in the Lutheran catechism. However much or little we may share his belief, we cannot escape the fact that it provided Bach not only the motivation to achieve remarkable feats of the intellect, but also the need to create a musical language ...
Saving faith is more than believing Jesus existed; it’s fully trusting in Him for salvation and surrendering our lives to Him. The Assembly's Shorter Catechism defines it well: “Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving grace, where we receive and rest upon Him alone for salvation, as He ...
Those who die in God’s grace and friendship and are perfectly purified [whether in this life, or in the next life in Purgatory] live forever with Christ. They are like God forever, for they “see him as he is,” face to face. The Catechism then quotes the infallible definition given...
Does Scripture Support Purgatory? The very popular Pope John Paul II, with the support of the Italian Vatican, published a second edition of the Catechism of the Catholic Church in 1997. It states, praying for the dead was necessary: All who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still ...
When God “rested on the seventh day from all his work which He had done (Genesis 2:2), He was modeling for humanity His intention for a weekly day of rest. Clearly, He did this for the sake of Adam and Eve (and for us), because God Himself does not tire or need to rest, as...