A Brief Catechism For Adults

A Complete Handbook on How to Be a Good Catholic

Rev. Fr. William J. Cogan

• Publisher: TAN Books
• Year: 1993
• eBook ISBN:
  9781505102888
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Christian Denominations

A Brief Catechism for Adults is a little masterpiece designed for instructing converts. But it also serves as a useful handbook for lifelong Catholics who want to understand their faith more deeply. After the first edition of the book was used to catechize tens of thousands seeking to become Catholic, this second edition was revised in the light of notes made by numerous Catholic priests who had used the text. So it represents the fruit of extensive experience in teaching the Faith to converts, and for years it was practically the standard catechism in the U.S. and Canada for that purpose.This book is packed with facts and written in short, clear, question-and-answer format, accompanied by brief Scripture quotes. Using concise, ordinary language to explain profound theological and moral truths, it examines: · what we must believe and do to be saved· how to form a correct conscience· the duties of Catholic spouses and parents· common mortal sins· the interior design of a traditional Catholic church· how to pray the Rosary· popular saints' names for Baptism and Confirmation· familiar Catholic prayers· practical points for responding to common questions that arise in an unbelieving world.A Brief Catechism for Adults is a valuable handbook for becoming a faithful Catholic — perfect for inquirers, but excellent for cradle Catholics as well.

Lesson 1:      Religion

      1.  What is the purpose of these lessons?

To fill in what is missing in the lives of so many people—the knowledge and practice of true religion.

"The heart of the wise seeketh instruction: and the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness." (Proverbs 15:14).

      2.  Why is religion the most important study you can take up?

Because God expects you to know what He has taught and what He wants you to do in this life.

"Let no man deceive himself: if any man among you seem to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God." (1 Corinthians 3:18-19).

      3.  What is religion?

Religion consists of two parts:

              1)  Believing everything God has told the human race.

              2)  Observing all your duties to God, yourself and your fellow men.

"Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." (James 1:22).

      4.  Is religion really necessary?

Yes, for several reasons—

              1)  God demands that every human being follow His plan of life.

              2)  Without religion, life is meaningless.

              3)  Lack of religion causes unhappiness, both in this life and in the next.

"For he that rejecteth wisdom, and discipline, is unhappy: and their hope is vain, and their labours without fruit, and their works unprofitable. Their wives are foolish, and their children wicked." (Wisdom 3:11-12).

      5.  What will happen to those who do not practice religion?

They will be punished with the everlasting torments of Hell.

"The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven, with the angels of his power: in a flame of fire, giving vengeance to them who know not God, and who obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ." (2 Thessalonians 1:7-8).

      6.  What will religion give you in this life?

Peace of mind, which is greater than anything money can buy.

"Blessed are they who hear the word of God, and keep it." (Luke 11:28). "Much peace have they that love thy law, and to them there is no stumbling block." (Psalm 118:165).

      7.  Are all religions the same?

No, there is only one true religion, the one established by God Himself, which is explained in this book.

Lesson 2: The Bible and Tradition

"God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spoke in times past to the fathers by the prophets, last of all in these days hath spoken to us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the world." (Hebrews 1:1).

1. What is the Bible?

A collection of the writings which were inspired by God.

"All scripture, inspired of God, is profitable to teach, to reprove, to correct, to instruct in justice, that the man of God may be perfect, furnished to every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

2. What does "inspired by God" mean?

It means that God chose some men and moved them to write down faithfully all the things, and only those things, which He wanted written down.

"For prophecy came not by the will of man at any time: but the holy men of God spoke, inspired by the Holy Ghost." (2 Peter 1:21).

3. Who, then, is the primary author of the Bible?

God is, since He moved these men to write down the things He ordered, although He allowed them to write in their own language and style.

"For I give you to understand, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For neither did I receive it of man, nor did I learn it; but by the revelation of Jesus Christ." (Galatians 1:11-12).

4. How many writings, or books, are there in the Bible?

There are 72.

5. When were all these writings put together?

The Catholic Church put all of them into one book between the years 350 and 405.

6. How is the Bible divided?

It is divided into two main parts, the Old Testament and the New Testament.

The Old Testament contains the things God told the human race from the beginning of the world up to the coming of His Son, Jesus Christ. The New Testament contains what God has told us through His Son and through His Apostles and others.

7. Is it possible to misunderstand the Bible?

Yes, even the Bible itself says so.

"As also in all his [St. Paul's] epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are certain things hard to be understood, which the unlearned and unstable wrest [twist], as they do also the other scriptures, to their own destruction." (2 Peter 3:16).

8. How can you get the true meaning of the Bible?

You can get it only from God's official interpreter, the Catholic Church.

"Understanding this first, that no prophecy of scripture is made by private interpretation." (2 Peter 1:20).

9. Is everything that God taught in the Bible?

No, the rest is in Tradition.

"Many other signs also did Jesus in the sight of his disciples, which are not written in this book." (John 20:30).

10. What is Tradition?

The Unwritten Word of God: these "other things Jesus did" were handed down by word of mouth by the Apostles and other close followers of Jesus.

"Therefore, brethren, stand fast; and hold the traditions which you have learned, whether by word, or by our epistle." (2 Thessalonians 2:14).

11. Do you have to believe in Tradition?

Yes, because it is the Word of God and has equal authority with the Bible.

The early Christians learned everything by Tradition, since only later on were some of the teachings of Jesus ...

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Copyright Page
• Contents
• Author's Preface
• Introduction
• 1. Religion
• 2. The Bible and Tradition
• 3. God and The Holy Trinity
• 4. Prayer
• 5. Public Worship of God
• 6. Angels and Devils
• 7. Human Beings and the Purpose of Life
• 8. Sanctifying Grace
• 9. Heaven
• 10. Mortal and Venial Sin
• 11. Hell
• 12. Purgatory
• 13. Original Sin
• 14. Jesus Christ, Our Saviour
• 15. Jesus Christ, True God and True Man
• 16. The Catholic Church Is the Only True Church
• 17. Qualities of the Catholic Church
• 18. The Pope, Vicar of Christ
• 19. The Seven Sacraments
• 20. The Sacrament of Baptism
• 21. The Sacrament of Confirmation
• 22. The Sacrament of Holy Eucharist (Holy Communion)
• 23. The Sacrifice of the Mass
• 24. The Sacrament of Penance (Confession)
• 25. How to Go to Confession
• 26. Indulgences
• 27. The Sacrament of Extreme Unction
• 28. The Sacrament of Holy Orders (Priesthood)
• 29. The Nature of Marriage
• 30. The Sins Against Marriage
• 31. The Sacrament of Matrimony
• 32. How to Have a Happy Marriage
• 33. Duties of Parents Toward Their Children
• 34. The 1st Commandment
• 35. The 2nd Commandment
• 36. The 3rd Commandment
• 37. The 4th Commandment
• 38. The 5th Commandment
• 39. The 6th and 9th Commandments
• 40. The 7th and 10th Commandments
• 41. The 8th Commandment
• 42. Charity
• 43. Fast and Abstinence
• Prayers
• How To Say The Rosary
• Inside Plan of a Catholic Church
• Some Saints' Names for Baptism and Confirmation
• Profession of Faith
• How To Be A Good Catholic