26. We begin our profession of faith by saying: “I believe” or “We believe”. Before expounding the Church’s faith, as confessed in the Creed, celebrated in the liturgy and lived in observance of God’s commandments and in prayer, we must first ask what “to believe” means. Faith is man’s response to God, who reveals himself and gives himself to man, at the same time bringing man a superabundant light as he searches for the ultimate meaning of his life. Thus we shall consider first that search (Chapter One), then the divine Revelation by which God comes to meet man (Chapter Two), and finally the response of faith (Chapter Three).
1. I Believe – We Believe. (1997). Catechism of the Catholic Church: Revised in accordance with the official Latin text promulgated by Pope John Paul II (2nd ed.). Washington, D.C.: United States Catholic Conference.
Chap. 1: Man’s Capacity for God
1. Desire for God
2. Ways of Coming to Know God
3. Knowledge of God According to the Church
4. How Can We Speak about God?
Chap. 2: God Comes to Meet Man
Art. 1: Revelation of God
1. God Reveals His “Plan of Loving Goodness”
2. Stages of Revelation
3. Christ Jesus — “Mediator and Fullness of All Revelation”
Art. 2: Transmission of Divine Revelation
1. Apostolic Tradition
2. Relationship Between Tradition and Sacred Scripture
3. Interpretation of the Heritage of Faith
Art. 3: Sacred Scripture
1. Christ – The Unique Word of Sacred Scripture
2. Inspiration and Truth of Sacred Scripture
3. Holy Spirit, Interpreter of Scripture
4. Canon of Scripture
5. Sacred Scripture in the Life of the Church
Chap. 3: Man’s Response to God
Art. 1: I Believe
1. Obedience of Faith
2. “I Know Whom I Have Believed”
3. Characteristics of Faith
Art. 2: We Believe
1. “Lord, Look Upon the Faith of Your Church”
2. Language of Faith
3. Only One Faith
The Credo
All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16).