The Teachings of the Church Fathers

, by Willis, John Randolph; Rouet De Journel, M. J.

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ISBN: 9780898708936 | 0898708931
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Copyright: 10/1/2002

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The Fathers of the Church have been a vital source of wisdom and inspiration for countless saints, popes, peasants, and converts throughout the history of the Church. In this powerful one-volume library, Father Willis presents more than 250 selected doctrinal topics in an exhaustive selection of writings from the major sources of the Fathers. He lets the Fathers speak for themselves on a wide variety of spiritual themes.

Foreword

xix

Introduction

xxiii

I. REVEALED RELIGION

The notion of religion

(1)

Natural religion exists in man

(2)

Revelation merits the assent of human reason

(2)

Revelation is morally necessary for us in the present order

(3)

The Gospel---senses of the word: one and four

(3)

The genuineness of the four Gospels was acknowledged by Christian antiquity

(6)

The witnesses who assert the genuineness of the Gospels are worthy of belief

(2)

The four Gospels contain true history

(2)

Jesus Christ truly came into the world as a divine legate

(3)

The prophecies prove this divine mission to be fulfilled in Christ

(2)

Christ's miracles prove His divine mission

(2)

Christ's prophecies prove His divine mission

(1)

The resurrection of Christ rests on arguments that are certain

(1)

The wonderful propagation and perpetuity of Christianity prove its divine origin

(4)

Christian virtues versus pagan vices

(4)

Martyrdom is a testimony of the truth of the Christian religion

(2)

The internal nature of Christian doctrine proves its divinity

(5)

II. THE CHURCH

Jesus Christ instituted a society which was to last forever which He called His Church

(2)

The Church was to continue Christ's own life on earth

(1)

The Church is hierarchically constituted

(5)

Heretics and schismatics are not members of the Church

(2)

The Church is necessary for all men to attain their salvation

(3)

The true Church of Christ can be recognized by certain notes

(1)

Sanctity of principles and members belongs only to the true Church of Christ

(1)

Unity of faith and government belongs only to the true Church of Christ

(4)

Catholicity belongs only to the true Church of Christ

(1)

Apostolicity belongs only to the true Church of Christ

(2)

Among the apostles Peter received the primacy of jurisdiction in the Church from Christ

(2)

Peter founded his chair at Rome and instituted a Roman bishop as his successor in the primacy

(2)

The Roman pontiffs have always attributed the primacy to themselves

(1)

Bishops were the legitimate successors of the apostles

(2)

The Church is infallible in transmitting Christ's doctrine

(1)

The Roman pontiff is infallible when teaching ex cathedra

(1)

The bishops assembled in ecumenical council have always been recognized as infallible judges of the faith

(5)

III. SACRED SCRIPTURE AND TRADITION

There are sacred books, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that have God as their author

(2)

Inspiration consists in God's action moving the mind and the will of the hagiographer to the mode of the instrument

(2)

The primary object of this inspiration are things pertaining to salvation

(1)

Inspiration truly extends to all parts of Scripture, even in some sense to the words themselves

(1)

The writer, the revelation, and the divine assistance

(1)

No error can be found in the sacred books

(2)

Sacred tradition is also a true font of revelation

(5)

This tradition completes Scripture through an authentic interpretation

(1)

Apostolic tradition has always been regarded as a rule of faith

(3)

All progress in dogma, however, is not to be rejected

(4)

IV. ONE GOD

The Existence of God can certainly be known through the natural light of reason

103

(4)

Man can draw knowledge of God from the order of the visible world

107

(5)

Man can draw knowledge of God from the governing of providence

112

(1)

Man can draw knowledge of God from the dictates of conscience

113

(1)

This knowledge is somehow inborn in all men

114

(2)

The essence of God is His very existence. His name is Yahweh

116

(2)

God is per se independent existence

118

(2)

The divine attributes are really the same as the divine substance

120

(1)

God is utter simplicity, and admits of no composition whatever

121

(4)

God is omnipotent

125

(3)

Creatures can be elevated to the vision of God, and this is done for the angels and the blessed

128

(2)

God knows all things in a single gaze, not only those things which are, but those things which will be

130

(1)

God foreknows everything which is future in the free will of man

131

(3)

God has providence for all of His creatures

134

(1)

God wants all men to be saved

135

(1)

God ``predestined some to eternal life, most merciful dispenser of grace.''

136

(2)

Predestination for faith and justification is completely gratuitous

138

(7)

V. THE TRIUNE GOD

From the first three centuries it is clear from tradition that God is triune

145

(7)

Against Arianism the later Fathers appealed to this constant tradition

152

(1)

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinct, and yet One

153

(5)

There are three persons in the unity of one nature

158

(5)

The most holy Trinity is a mystery

163

(3)

The Father alone does not proceed

166

(3)

The Son was not made

169

(3)

The Son was truly born of the Father

172

(3)

The Son is coeternal with the Father

175

(4)

The Son is consubstantial with the Father

179

(7)

The Holy Spirit is God

186

(1)

That the Holy Spirit is God is proved by His operation

187

(1)

The Holy Spirit is consubstantial with the Father and the Son

188

(1)

The Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son

188

(2)

The divine Persons are distinguished among themselves only by relations

190

(2)

Operations outside are common to the three Persons

192

(1)

Creation takes place through the Word

193

(4)

Sanctification takes place through the Holy Spirit

197

(1)

The Son is sent by the Father

198

(1)

The Holy Spirit is also sent by the Son

198

(5)

VI. CREATION

God created all things

203

(3)

God created all things out of nothing

206

(4)

God creates freely

210

(2)

God created out of His goodness

212

(1)

The world (matter) is not eternal

213

(2)

There exist angels created by God

215

(2)

Many angels, having attained eternal beatitude, have already been confirmed in the good

217

(1)

Many angels, however, having committed grave sin, rushed into eternal damnation

218

(1)

The good angels are ministers of God and aid men in the business of salvation

219

(1)

Man is composed of body and soul

220

(2)

The human soul is immortal

222

(2)

Man is free

224

(2)

The human soul is created by God

226

(1)

Before the fall, our first parents were endowed with gifts of nature not due them: original justice

227

(2)

Our first parents were free from concupiscence

229

(1)

Our first parents were immune from the necessity of dying

230

(5)

VII. SIN

Sin is a turning from God and a conversion to creatures

235

(1)

Our first parents, having committed grave sin, lost original justice

235

(1)

Death is the effect of Adam's sin

236

(3)

Through sin Adam lost the other free gifts

239

(1)

Adam's sin has passed on to all men

240

(4)

On the fate of infants dying without baptism

244

(5)

VIII. ACTUAL GRACE

For every good salutary work grace is absolutely necessary

249

(6)

Without grace man can place certain acts naturally good

255

(1)

Without grace man cannot keep the Law for any length of time

256

(1)

Even for the beginning of faith and conversion grace is necessary

256

(5)

Without grace man cannot resist for long concupiscence and grave temptations

261

(2)

No one can be completely immune from concupiscence and small sins without a special privilege of grace

263

(4)

Final perseverance is a great gift of God

267

(1)

There is some grace which truly suffices to produce its effect, but nevertheless does not actually produce it (gratia sufficiens)

268

(1)

However there is another grace which efficaciously moves the will (gratia efficax)

269

(2)

Grace does not destroy free will

271

(1)

God infallibly knows beforehand in what way free will is to make use of the aid of grace

272

(1)

Grace surpasses all the exigencies of nature

273

(1)

Grace is essentially gratuitous

273

(2)

To no one, not even the unfaithful, does God deny grace sufficient for faith and salvation

275

(4)

IX. HABITUAL GRACE

Among the gifts which God has bestowed on His creatures, some are natural, others are supernatural

279

(1)

In justification there is infused a permanent supernatural gift, habitual grace

280

(2)

Sins are truly blotted out

282

(2)

Man is renewed internally

284

(2)

The Holy Spirit dwells in man

286

(2)

Man becomes a sharer of the divine nature

288

(1)

Man becomes the adoptive son of God

289

(2)

Man must dispose himself for justification through faith

291

(2)

Man also disposes himself for justification through the acts of the other virtues

293

(1)

Habitual grace is lost by mortal sin

294

(1)

Man can never be certain of his righteousness

294

(1)

The just can have true merit

295

(2)

The just can merit eternal life

297

(5)

X. THE INCARNATE WORD

The ante-Nicene tradition testifies that Christ is true God

302

(5)

Only the Son of God is incarnate, nor is He other than Jesus Christ

307

(2)

Jesus Christ assumed a true human nature, not one that was merely apparent

309

(7)

Therefore Christ has a true body formed from the substance of Mary

316

(4)

Christ also has a rational soul

320

(2)

And so Christ is consubstantial with us, being of Adam's race

322

(1)

``What is not assumed is not healed.''

323

(1)

The incarnation is a mystery

324

(3)

The Word assumed a human nature so that there are two natures truly distinct

327

(2)

The two natures are somehow united

329

(3)

The two natures of Christ are united by a personal union

332

(3)

There are two operations in Christ: one divine, the other human

335

(2)

In Christ there is a true communication of idioms

337

(2)

The man Christ is the natural Son of God, not the adopted Son

339

(1)

Christ, completely filled with grace, had complete sanctity

340

(1)

Christ is to be adored as man

340

(1)

Christ was free from personal sin

341

(2)

Christ had a body capable of suffering

343

(2)

Christ freely suffered and died

345

(1)

On the question of ignorance in Christ

346

(2)

The purpose of the incarnation and passion of Christ is the salvation of men

348

(1)

The purpose of the incarnation and passion of Christ is a manifestation of love towards men

349

(1)

Christ Himself was both Priest and Host

349

(1)

Christ offers Himself by way of true vicarious sacrifice

350

(2)

Christ ascended into heaven according to His human nature

352

(1)

Christ will judge the living and the dead

352

(4)

XI. MARY MOTHER OF GOD AND VIRGIN

Mary was truly the Mother of God

356

(1)

Mary was a virgin in conceiving

357

(3)

Mary was a virgin during Christ's birth

360

(1)

Mary remained a virgin after Christ's birth

360

(1)

Mary was conceived immaculate

361

(1)

Mary's body was assumed into heaven

361

(7)

XII. THE SACRAMENTS

The sacraments are sensible signs which signify and at the same time confer grace

368

(3)

Physically the sacraments are constituted of things (matter) and words (form)

371

(1)

Among the sacramental rites the imposition of hands signifies in a special manner the conferring of grace

372

(3)

The sacraments confer more abundant grace on the recipient who is better disposed to receive

375

(1)

The sacraments do not confer grace when an obstacle is present, but when it is removed the sacraments revivify and grace is infused

375

(1)

The sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and orders imprint on the soul a spiritual and indelible sign

375

(1)

And so these sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and orders can never be repeated

376

(2)

The sacraments confer grace from the power of the Holy Spirit which is in the rite

378

(1)

Christ is the author of the sacraments and instituted all of them immediately

379

(1)

The sacraments are morally Christ's actions, using the ministry of men

379

(1)

The worth of the sacraments does not depend on the faith of the minister

380

(2)

The worth of the sacraments does not depend on the probity of the minister

382

(1)

To receive the sacraments licitly and with fruit, certain dispositions are required in an adult

383

(1)

The holy Fathers knew of all of our sacraments

383

(1)

Baptism is a true sacrament instituted by Christ

384

(2)

The remote matter is natural water

386

(1)

The proximate matter, however, is the washing with the water

387

(1)

Baptism may be performed by immersion, infusion, or sprinkling

387

(1)

In the form of baptism, it is essential that there be a distinct expression of God as One and Three

388

(1)

The minister of solemn baptism is the bishop and the priest, or, in case of necessity, a deacon

389

(1)

Any man, using the right matter, form, and intention, baptizes validly, even licitly, in case of necessity

390

(1)

And so, even heretics may validly baptize

391

(1)

Baptism is necessary for all for salvation, both children and adults

392

(2)

For adults the baptism of desire can take the place of the baptism of water

394

(1)

For adults, and infants as well, martyrdom can take the place of the baptism of water

394

(2)

The Church has always recognized that even infants are capable of receiving baptism

396

(1)

The effect of baptism is a spiritual regeneration, which consists in the remission of every sin and punishment and the infusion of the first grace

397

(2)

Confirmation is a true sacrament

399

(1)

The remote matter is blessed oil (chrism)

399

(1)

The proximate matter is the unction of the chrism made on the forehead in the form of a cross

400

(1)

The ordinary minister of confirmation is the bishop

400

(1)

The extraordinary minister is any priest

400

(1)

The effect of confirmation is a more abundant effusion of grace and the gifts of the Holy Spirit

401

(1)

The sacrament of the Eucharist was instituted by Christ in memory of His passion and death

401

(3)

In the words which John records (6:48 ff.) Christ promised that He would give Himself, flesh and blood, in a real sense, in food and drink

404

(2)

Christ is really present in the Eucharist under the species of bread and wine

406

(3)

The truth of the real Presence is evident from the words of institution

409

(2)

This Presence of Christ does not depend on the faith and disposition of the receiver

411

(1)

The bread and wine through the words of consecration are converted into the body and blood of Christ

412

(1)

The matter of the Eucharist is bread and wine

413

(1)

The minister of the Eucharist to be confected is the priest

414

(1)

For licit and fruitful communion the state of grace is required

415

(1)

The Mass is a true sacrifice

416

(1)

The Mass is a representation of the sacrifice of the cross

417

(1)

Christ is the victim offered in the sacrifice of the Mass

418

(1)

The Church received from Christ the power of remitting or retaining sins

418

(2)

This power of remitting or retaining sins extends to all sins committed after baptism

420

(3)

Of all sins, the greatest were adultery, homicide, and apostasy or heresy

423

(1)

In the early Church a public penance was imposed for the most serious external crimes

424

(2)

However, ``reconciliation'' was made by the imposition of hands, ordinarily by the bishop

426

(1)

Penance is necessary to obtain the remission of sin

427

(1)

Some confession not made only to God, but external, is required for the remission of sins

428

(2)

Because of the intercession of martyrs some of the canonical penance could be remitted

430

(1)

In the Church there exists a treasury of merits, from which an indulgence for sinners can be applied for punishment due

430

(1)

Extreme unction is a true sacrament, whose effect is to blot out the residue of sin and to increase the forces of the soul and the body

430

(1)

Holy orders is a true sacrament

431

(1)

In the Church, the clergy constitute a distinct order from the laity

432

(1)

Episcopacy priesthood, and diaconate constitute major orders

433

(1)

The bishops constitute a superior order to the priests

433

(1)

The deacons are assistants of the bishops and priests in holy functions

434

(1)

Subdeacons are assistants of the deacons, instituted by the Church at a later time

434

(1)

In the early Church women could be consecrated to God in a special manner as deaconesses or widows; however, they received no order properly so called

435

(1)

The matter of orders is the imposition of hands

435

(1)

The form of orders is the prayer which is conjoined with that imposition

436

(1)

Already the ancient custom in the Church was that celibacy be imposed on clerics in major orders, or at least that they be prohibited from a second marriage

436

(1)

The purposes of matrimony are the generation of children, mutual conjugal help, and a remedy for concupiscence

437

(1)

Christian matrimony is a true sacrament

438

(3)

Matrimony effects a bond which is completely indissoluble

441

(4)

The sacrament of matrimony effects an exclusive band

445

(1)

The Church has authority to establish impediments to marriage

445

(1)

Matrimony is licit and good

446

(1)

Celibacy and especially virginity are however preferable to marriage

447

(4)

XIII. THE LAST THINGS

Death is a separation of the soul from the body

451

(1)

After death there is no possibility of meriting or demeriting

452

(2)

The soul undergoes a particular judgment when it leaves the body

454

(1)

Even before the general judgment souls are either saved or lost

454

(2)

Purgatory exists, where the souls---for whom something more must be expiated---undergo temporary punishment

456

(1)

The souls of the dead detained in purgatory can be helped by the suffrages of the living

457

(1)

Those who die in mortal sin are cast into hell

458

(1)

The pain of the damned is twofold: (a) damnation---the privation at God

459

(1)

The pain of the damned is twofold: (b) the pain of sense---true and corporeal fire

459

(4)

The punishments of the damned will be eternal

463

(5)

Various signs precede the end of the world

468

(1)

The dead shall rise

469

(5)

The dead will rise with their same bodies

474

(2)

Afterwards, the general judgment will be given

476

(1)

The object of beatitude is God alone

477

(1)

Perfect beatitude in heaven consists in the vision and the love of God

478

(3)

Table of Reference to Rouet de Journel's Enchiridion Patristicum

481

(8)

Index to the Church Fathers

489

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The Teachings of the Church Fathers

Summary

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials