Monday, January 31, 2005

On January 31, 1858...
Venerable John Henry Newman, C.O., gave some catechetical instructions, of which the following notes survive:

Faith

1. I have now explained what is meant by the word of God, by revelation, and by faith, and why they are necessary.

2. There is great correspondence between things of the body and of the soul. We cannot see without light; and even with light we need eyes, and in the dark we grope our way. Now by nature our souls are in darkness, ignorance, etc. Thus you see how it is there is need of God's word, revelation, and faith.

3. And here you see the reason of a solemn declaration, 'Without which there is no one can be saved.' We are going a journey, etc.

4. Our Lord's words, John iii. 18.

5. And still more if they refuse light, John iii. 19 .

6. This is one great reason why the light of faith is necessary, because we are so ignorant.
7. Now you will say, 'Is ignorance the fault of men in general? if so, how? if not, why are they punished with the loss of salvation?'

8. No one is punished except for his own fault. No one is punished except for rejecting light. God gives light all over the earth—enough to make men advance forward.

9. Explain: from one grace to another, from one step to another—prayer.

10. And thus those who are in a great deal of ignorance may be saved if they are doing their best, and their ignorance invincible.

11. Heathen, heretics (material), may have divine faith.

12. Who these are is secret. All we know is about ourselves. Application to ourselves.


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