The New Testament: “And the Word became flesh, and dwelled among us…” John 1:14

Intro: “Who Do You Say That I Am?”

Homework (due Weds., 9/15) Read pp. 2-5; NB(notebook): RQ’s, “Examining” exercise, p. 5; J(Journal): Refl., p. 5 (due Tues.,9/21) Read p. 6> “universe”; NB: List 3 evidences for or against the idea of the existence of God

Homework (due Thurs., 9/23) Read 6-8; NB: RQs p. 8; Refl.: box, p. 7; J: Refl. p. 8 (due Fri., 9/24) Read 9-11; NB: RQs p.11; J: Refl. P. 11

Homework (due Weds., 9/29) Read 12-15; NB: RQs 15; J: 15(any one) (due Thurs., 9/30) Read 16-19; NB: RQs 19; J: 19 (any one) (due Mon., 10/4) Study for Review (Re- view, NOT pre-view!) (dueTues., 10/5) Study for TEST: Introduction Chapter

Offering a Son Jesus’ identity… who is he? Some: a prophet, a misguided teacher (rabbi), a false king Peter: “You are the Christos (messiah/ anointed one), the Son of the Living God”

Offering a Son God’s love for us is so great that He sent His own Son, Jesus Christ, to live among us and to give his life for us and for our sins (Jn 3:16)

Coming to Know God/Jesus “The desire for God is written in the human heart because man is created by God and for God.” -CCC,27

We can know God through… 1.Human reason Our discovery of God 2.Divine Revelation God manifesting (showing) Himself to us

Proofs for God? “Proofs” =tests –Probare (Latin)= to test, probe –Evidence to be put to the test… of reason

1. Cosmological Argument God = “Unmoved Mover” or “First Cause” of everything There must be a source from which all else exists

2. Ontological Argument God = Ultimate Perfect Being There must be “that than which nothing greater can be thought,” a.k.a. “God”

3. Teleological Argument “Argument from design” The universe has an order or design; there must be a designer, a.k.a. God

4. Moral Argument Morality exists objectively, ie. apart from our opinions Where did we get this sense of right & wrong? God = Creator of the Moral Law

We can know God through… 1.Human reason Our discovery of God 2.Divine Revelation God manifesting (showing) Himself to us

Divine Revelation God is known by human reason, but… God took first step/initiative in revealing Himself to man… so… God makes Himself known and we are able to know Him

Divine Rev.: Why Necessary? Need for God to show what reason can’t arrive at on its own (eg. Trinity) Need for God to give certitude about things reason can arrive at (eg. that killing is wrong)

Divine Rev.: Where is it found? Depositum Fidei (“Deposit of Faith”)= 2 places where God’s revelation (what He has done & said) is “deposited”: 1.Sacred Tradition (traditio= pass on) 2.Sacred Scripture (Bible)

Divine Rev.: What is it? God communicates Himself to man, making known His plan Story of it (in Scripture)= Salvation History Fullness of it = Jesus Christ, God Himself revealed in the flesh

The Incarnation The core Catholic teaching that the Son of God took on human flesh in the person of Jesus Christ… that… … God has become man!

Purpose of the Incarnation 1.Reconciles us w/ God by overcoming sin, which separates us from God 2.Reveals God’s love fully to us 3.Shows us perfect example of holiness: Love 4.Makes it possible to share God’s nature