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Requirements for theological knowledge
Topic Started: Monday, 29. November 2010, 19:34 (1,191 Views)
Rose of York
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Archbishop Diarmud Mairtin of Dublin
 
Certainly the Church is not just an elite of the perfect. Many people with little education have a deeper insight into the message of Jesus Christ than some learned theologians or bishops.


How deeply should the lay person delve into theology? I feel that each one must find our individual level of need. Delving beyond our capacities could be as disastrous as reading medical encyclopaedias to find out what is wrong, when a visit to the doctor will result in us getting the answer in terms we understand.

Keep the Faith!

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Penfold
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Delve as deeply as you wish but be sure that you have a guide and mentor for it is a messy business. :study: :fire: good luck
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pete

Anyone who visits Catholic web sites does get a far better knowledge of theology even though they may not be seeking it. Taking part in religious discussions such as this, there is always someone who seems to have a theological answer. As a regular visitor and participator in religious dialogue on this site, I have picked up information about my Catholic faith which I wouldn’t have acquired had I not been involved in these debates. In addition to our discussions one only needs to look at the information readily available on this site. Give credit to Clare, she certainly knows her theology, even though we don’t agree on one particular subject, one can’t help admiring her unshakable confidence. I’m not sure if this is a good or bad thing.
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Rose of York
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Penfold2
Monday, 29. November 2010, 20:40
Delve as deeply as you wish but be sure that you have a guide and mentor for it is a messy business.
Just like when we need medical advice, the mentor being the GP.

On theological matters there is a wide range of literature available from sources such as Catholic Truth Society and those of us who feel the need for something deeper should be able to use our common sense when choosing authors. I am currently reading To Be a Pilgrim by Cardinal Hume. I reckon he knew what he was talking about. When I have a gut feeling a recommended author might be a bit dodgy I do an internet search, the other day I did that and found that the author a priest, left active ministry because of disagreements with Papal teaching and is allied to a rather suspicious "Catholic" organisation.

Where do I get a mentor? My parish priest is very dedicated, he turns out when people need him for sacraments, he is in no position to be available to give me an hour for a chat about theological matters. Lone study has always been my way for all my interests, I learn better that way than in a lecture room.
Keep the Faith!

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Anne-Marie

Theology may be frightfully interesting and important to a theologian... but does it really matter to the rest of us?

To a doctor, how your body works may be very rivetting... but to the rest of us it may simply be accepting as it is, while we enjoy focusing on what we can do with our lives rather than what our life is.
Do the theories about God and religion really matter, when what God asked of us was that we love Him and each other?
Do you really need to understand the physics and engineering of a 'big dipper' before we get aboard and enjoy a ride on one??? The designed, manufacturer, assembler, maintainer and H&S inspector may find the theory inportant... but would you enjoy using the thing if you had to understand it yourself before using it???

Do I have to understand the Immaculate Conception, Virgin Birth the Resurrection and Ascension in order to love God?
Of course I don't.
Any more than I need to understand the internal combustion engine and the electronics of my car when I want it to cart me from A to B: either the thing starts when I turn the ignition or it doesn't.
Anne-Marie
FIAT VOLUNTAS DEI
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OsullivanB

Penfold2
Monday, 29. November 2010, 20:40
Delve as deeply as you wish but be sure that you have a guide and mentor for it is a messy business. :study: :fire: good luck
Finding such a mentor seems quite difficult.
"There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance - that principle is contempt prior to investigation." Herbert Spencer
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PJD

"Finding such a mentor seems quite difficult."

I agree.

Books can help; and it goes without saying that experience helps

PJD
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Rose of York
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Anne-Marie
Monday, 29. November 2010, 22:32
Theology may be frightfully interesting and important to a theologian... but does it really matter to the rest of us?
Anne-Marie you really must stop talking sense! :rofl: Me too. :rofl:

The basics matter, we used to get them from the Penny Catechism. We could do with a version updated to allow for changes in practise introduced by Vatican 2. The Catechism of the Catholic Church is in my opinion way above the heads of the average Catholic in this country let alone in places where there is little education. The Catechism is fine for people with a basic grasp of Catholic teaching but expressions such as "The Sacramental Economy" are not needed by the majority.

There is need for one simple reference book, those who want to delve deeper are hardly deprived of adequate resources.

That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it.
Keep the Faith!

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OsullivanB

Rose of York
 
There is need for one simple reference book.
Possibly you would admit two. Even Catholics sometimes regard the Bible as one of them.
"There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance - that principle is contempt prior to investigation." Herbert Spencer
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pete

If you have the time I would suggest you watch Fr Michael Himes a great theologian. This is his last lecture before his retirement. Sit back and enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hs3UCUqy8cg&feature=related
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Rose of York
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OsullivanB
Tuesday, 30. November 2010, 00:25
Rose of York
 
There is need for one simple reference book.
Possibly you would admit two. Even Catholics sometimes regard the Bible as one of them.
Oops! I forgot the Bible, the Word of God.

I would also recommend listening to Father Corapi on EWTN, 9 pm Mondays. Few would have difficulty understanding what he says, but he covers subjects well, there is plenty of meat in his talks.
Keep the Faith!

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Penfold
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Matt Ch15 V14


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Rose of York
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"To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible." St. Thomas Aquinas

Then why bother with theology?
Keep the Faith!

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OsullivanB

Every time we learn something about God or find a new way of thinking about what we already believe we know about Him, we have engaged with theology. The real question is not whether to bother with theology but how far and in which direction to travel into it.
"There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance - that principle is contempt prior to investigation." Herbert Spencer
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Derekap
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I think Heaven will have only a minority of Theologians - not that I'm suggesting the latter go to Hell. The point I am making is that we don't need to study Theology to get to Heaven. Again I'm not suggesting those studying it such stop. People have more than 57 varieties of legitimate practices from which to choose otherwise it would be a dull world.
Derekap
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