The Twentieth Century Encyclopedia of Catholicism What is Dogma?
Type
Book
Authors
Category
Dogmatic Theology
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Publication Year
1964
Publisher
Volume
4
Pages
111
Tags
Description
For centuries the Catholic Church has sought to define and describe accurately the dogmatic truths revealed by God. Today, largely through the efforst of the late Pope John XXIII, we have seen a resurgence of world-wide interest in the dogmatic teachings of Catholicism. Yet there are still many devout people - both Catholic and non-Catholic - who do not know, much less understand, the dogma of the Catholic Church.
The primary purpose of this volume is to give a lucid explanation of the meaning of dogma. Theologian Charles Journet begins this study by tracing the ways in which the belief in God has been expressed, and by showing how various doctrinal truths have been formulated by religious writers and Church Councils. With brief quotations from St. Thomas, his initial chapters show how dogmas are an object of faith and are essentially unchangeable. He clearly distinguishes between the basic assent to faith and the actual understanding of the doctrines of faith.
Professor Journet emphasizes the importance of the two fundamental beliefs - the existence and benevolence of God - and analyzes what else must be believed in the light of revelation.
In a concise historical sketch, the author indicates how the Christian doctrines wer presented in the Apostolic era. He explains the meaning of the "deposit of faith" and goes on to show in detail how this deposit has been preserved and promulgated through the ages.
The author brings forward examples of various doctrines, and illustrates their development and significance. He also considers the true value of dogma as well as the variety of linguistic difficulties in the expression of dogma.
For further reading on other aspects of faith and dogma the reader should consult The Basis of Belief and Do Dogmas Change? in this series.
Monsignor Charles Journet was born in Geneva in 1891 and was educated there and at Fribourg. He has been a professor at the Grand Seminaire de Fribourg since 1924 and was a member of the Preparatory Theological Commission for the Second Vatican Council. He has written many books, a number of which have been translated into English, including The Primacy of Peter, Wisdom of Faith and The Meaning of Evil.
What is Dogma? was translated from the French by Mark Pontifex, OSB, who has also translated other works in this series.
This is Volume 4 under section I: Knowledge and Faith.
Taken from the inside flaps.
The primary purpose of this volume is to give a lucid explanation of the meaning of dogma. Theologian Charles Journet begins this study by tracing the ways in which the belief in God has been expressed, and by showing how various doctrinal truths have been formulated by religious writers and Church Councils. With brief quotations from St. Thomas, his initial chapters show how dogmas are an object of faith and are essentially unchangeable. He clearly distinguishes between the basic assent to faith and the actual understanding of the doctrines of faith.
Professor Journet emphasizes the importance of the two fundamental beliefs - the existence and benevolence of God - and analyzes what else must be believed in the light of revelation.
In a concise historical sketch, the author indicates how the Christian doctrines wer presented in the Apostolic era. He explains the meaning of the "deposit of faith" and goes on to show in detail how this deposit has been preserved and promulgated through the ages.
The author brings forward examples of various doctrines, and illustrates their development and significance. He also considers the true value of dogma as well as the variety of linguistic difficulties in the expression of dogma.
For further reading on other aspects of faith and dogma the reader should consult The Basis of Belief and Do Dogmas Change? in this series.
Monsignor Charles Journet was born in Geneva in 1891 and was educated there and at Fribourg. He has been a professor at the Grand Seminaire de Fribourg since 1924 and was a member of the Preparatory Theological Commission for the Second Vatican Council. He has written many books, a number of which have been translated into English, including The Primacy of Peter, Wisdom of Faith and The Meaning of Evil.
What is Dogma? was translated from the French by Mark Pontifex, OSB, who has also translated other works in this series.
This is Volume 4 under section I: Knowledge and Faith.
Taken from the inside flaps.
Number of Copies
1
