Manual of theology for the laity; being a brief, clear, and systematic exposition of the reason and authority of religion and a practical guide book for all of good will

Front matter

Pass TV< H54- Book_

(opyriglil N°

COPYRIGHT DEPOSrT.

Part I. Fundamental Ideas Of Religion

1. What is Religion? 12

2. Whence comes Religion ? 14

3. What are the specific Obligations of Religion? 16

4. How is this Debt of Religion to be paid? 18

5. Is the Form of Religion optional ? 20

6. What does History say? 21

7. Practical Religion 23

8. Is Religion necessary ? 25

9. What is meant by the true Religion ? 27

10. Can there be more than one true Religion?. . . 28

11. Must Man know the true Religion? 30

12. How can Man know the true Religion? 31

13. What certainty can Man have of the true Re-

ligion ? 32

14. What does the true Religion ordain? 34

15. What is Devotion? ♦ . 35

16. What is Prayer ? . 37

17. What is Divine Adoration and Worship? 39

18. What is Sacrifice? 40

19. Who is the Priest? 42

20. What is Repentance ? 44

21. Divine Praise 45 x CONTENTS.

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22. Material Offerings 46

23. Sanctification of Certain Days 47

24. Optional Acts 47

25. Religious Ceremonies 48

26. Religious Liberty 49

27. Superstition 51

Part II. Revealed Religion

A. SUPERNATURAL TRUTHS.

I. Introductory Truths.

1. Truth 54

2. Mystery 56

3. The Supernatural 58

5. Miracles 64

6. Prophecy 66

7. Tradition 67

8. The Bible 71

9. Inspiration 74

10. Historical Value of the Bible 76

II. God and the Divine Plan.

1. There is a God 79

2. What is God? 83

3. The Blessed Trinity 83

4. The Attributes of God 85

5. Creation 85

6. The Angels 87

8. The Immortality of the Soul 93

CONTENTS. xi

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9. The Prerogatives of our First Parents 97

10. Destiny 100

11. Heaven 102

12. Free Will 104

14. Divine Providence 109

15. Predestination Ill

III. Sin and its Consequences.

1. The Sin of the Angels 115

3. Influence of the Spirit World 121

4. Original Sin 126

5. Consequences of the Fall 128

6. The Promise of Pardon 129

7. Actual Sin 132

8. The Forgiveness of Sin 135

9. The Incarnation 139

10. The Atonement 142

11. The Redemption 144

14. The Particular Judgment 150

15. Purgatory 152

16. The Resurrection 154

17. The General Judgment 156

B. DIVINELY ORDAINED PRACTICE.

I. The Patriarchal or Family Religion.

1. The Primitive Revelation 159

2. Positive Laws 159

3. The Practice of Religion in Patriarchal Times. 160 x ii CONTENTS.

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4. Transmission of the Primitive Revelation. . . . 161

6. Abraham 162

7. Melchisedech 163

8. Holy Job 164

II. The Mosaic or State Religion.

1. Moses 165

2. The Law of Moses 166

3. The Tabernacle and the Temple 168

4. The Ark of the Covenant 168

5. The Jewish Priesthood 169

6. The Mosaic Sacrifices 170

7. Practical Religion in the Mosaic Dispensation. 171

8. Mosaic Holidays 172

9. The Prophets 173

10. The Sanhedrim 174

11. Jewish Sects and Factions 174

III. The Christian or Catholic Religion.

1. "What think you of Christ ?" 176

2. "As He was spoken of by the Prophets" 178

3. The Testimony of Christ's Works 179

4. The Mission of Jesus Christ 181

5. The Religion of Jesus Christ 182

6. What is the Church ? 185

7. The Apostles ' 188

8. The Primacy of Peter 189

9. The Attributes of the Church 192

10. The Marks of the Church 195

11. The Holy Ghost and the Church 197

12. Outside the Church no Salvation 198

13. Conditions of Practical Membership 200

CONTENTS. xiii

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14. Divine Faith 201

15. Means of obtaining and preserving Faith.... 203

16. Harmony of Faith and Reason 205

17. The Rule of Faith 205

19. The New Commandment 210

20. The Evangelical Counsels 211

21. The Sacraments 213

22. Practical Religion in Apostolic Times 214