Faith and Belief discussion post Faith and belief are two terms that are directly related but have different meanings in

Faith and Belief discussion post

Faith and belief are two terms that are directly related but have different meanings in the Catholic teaching. An understanding of belief often consists in a mental notion of some truths- the belief to be true what God has revealed, and what the Church proposes. As an example, the Creed we recite in Mass shares its leading tenets, claims about the Trinity, the Incarnation, and the Resurrection. The Catechism defines belief as the affirmation of these divine truths with the mind (185 -197). In brief, belief is the answer to the question of what Catholics believe about God, about the world and about man.

Faith instead penetrates deeper than the intellectual assent. Faith as it is described: By Hebrews 11:1 is the assurance of what one desires, and the assurance of things that is unseen. Not only accepting truths but committing oneself to God, in a personal trusting relationship of trust and love. The Catechism indicates how faith is an individual holding to God and committed to His revelation as a free response (142-184). This implies that faith is a gift or blessing given by God and also a conscious decision by human beings to offer their life to God. As, e.g. in 2 Timothy 1:12, Peter says, I know whom I have believed, pointing to God Himself, not to his doctrines.

In this way there can be seen the discrimination between belief and faith where belief can be considered the etiology or doctrine of Catholic teaching but the lived reaction to the sum of the whole person to the invitation of God is faith. Faith doctrinaire can easily turn into abstract thought, and the belief blind can easily turn into fuzzy emotivism. The correct response to God consists of knowing His truth (Deuteronomy 6:4-9), and loving Him with the mind, soul and strength. In Catholicism, faith and belief are through the same units and are interconnected or interwoven creating understanding as well as lived discipleship.

Reference List

Catechism of the Catholic Church. 2nd ed. Vatican City: Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2019. https://www.usccb.org/sites/default/files/flipbooks/catechism/

New American Bible Revised Edition. Washington, DC: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2011.