United States Catholic Catechism for Adults

Chapter 5. I Believe in God • 61

in our country, heated controversy still engages people on both sides of the issue, especially in regard to what is appropriate in the education of their children. This debate is often fueled, on the one hand, by “creation ist” or fundamentalist biblical opinions that do not take into account the literary forms of the Bible and the primary theological purpose of its teaching, and on the other hand by the use of theories of evolution to support a materialist and anti-religious interpretation of the world and humanity. The Bible is not a scientific textbook and should never be read as such; rather it reveals what God wants us to know for the sake of our salvation. FOR DISCUSSION 1. Knowing that God is rich in mercy and that he is love, how does this affect your attitude toward him? Toward your neighbor? 2. How did God progressively reveal his mystery as a unity of three Persons? How would you teach the doctrine about God to others? 3. What are some practical ways you would reply to creationists and atheistic evolutionists? Why is the dialogue between religion and sci ence necessary and valuable? DOCTRINAL STATEMENTS • God is a holy mystery. As the Byzantine Church sings, “You are God, ineffable, inconceivable, incomprehensible, always existing and ever the same, You and Your only begotten Son and Your Holy Spirit” (Anaphora of the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom). • The Old Testament reveals God as One, unique, and without equal. “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone!” (Dt 6:4; Mk 12:29). • Our faith in God, the only One, leads us to adore him as our origin and destiny and to love him with all our hearts. • God is truth. “And now, O Lord God, you are God and your words are truth” (2 Sm 7:28). His words cannot deceive. This is why we can trust his truth and fidelity. St. John goes further when he writes, “God is love” (1 Jn 4:8).