DOGMA

Dogma, as the word is used in Catholic theology, covers all the truths that the Church teaches to have been revealed by God as doctrine of salvation. Dogmas are directly proposed by the Church (by a solemn definition or by the ordinary and universal Magisterium) as truths to be believed “with divine and Catholic faith” (Vatican Council I, Dogmatic Constitution on the Catholic Faith, Dei Filius).

In the case of some dogmas, the human mind, understanding what is proposed, can grasp very little of how this truth can be so (e.g., the Blessed Trinity, the Real Presence). In others, the mind can achieve greater understanding of the “how” (the Resurrection of Jesus, the special role of Mary in salvation, the effects of Baptism on the soul). But in all cases, the reason for believing is not our understanding nor the discovery of any inherent proof or self-evidence. It is faith in God, who guarantees such teachings proposed in his name by his Church.

To some people “dogma” suggests something meaningless or even irrational. Far from being unintelligible or without meaning, however, dogmas of faith are so full of meaning that human minds can only grasp it in part. When it is God who speaks, it is reasonable to accept his words, even though we can only partly understand their meaning. The limited power of our minds, not the obscurity of dogmas, is why we cannot penetrate their meaning fully.
Dogmas open the mind to wider horizons and spur the will to greater ambitions. They are always liberating.

The Church is constantly propounding and explaining her dogmas, and sometimes defines them (even if this is not in the form of a solemn definition in the strict sense). To “define” means to present a saving teaching in clearer focus so that what is proposed is seen in greater richness and light: “Dogmas are lights” (CCC 89).
The appropriate response to dogma is reverence and gratitude. In practice, the “sense of the faith” (sensus fidei) is joyful awareness of the greatness of what has been given us.

See: Assent and Dissent; Dissent; Divine Revelation; Heresy; Magisterium; Sacred Tradition.


Russell Shaw. Our Sunday Visitor's Encyclopedia of Catholic Doctrine. Copyright © 1997, Our Sunday Visitor.

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Last Updated: Sunday, April 01, 2001 01:25:11 PM