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Chapter 5. I Believe in God • 59

Undermine the Foundations of Catholic Doctrine

(

Humani Generis

),

Pope Pius XII applied this principle to the controversial theories of evo-

lution, which have often been used in a materialistic or agnostic sense

to argue against any divine intervention in the work of creation: “The

[Magisterium] of the Church does not forbid that, in conformity with

the present state of human sciences and sacred theology, research and

discussions, on the part of [people] experienced in both fields, take place

1. What does faith in God mean?

It means coming to know God’s greatness and majesty. It

means living in thanksgiving. It means knowing the unity

and true dignity of all men. It means making good use of

created things. It means trusting in God, even in adversity.

(CCC, nos. 222-227)

2. Why does the Creed begin with God?

Our profession of faith begins with

God

, for God is the

First and the Last, the beginning and the end of every-

thing. The [Creed] begins with God the

Father

, for the

Father is the first divine person of the Most Holy Trinity;

our Creed begins with the creation of heaven and earth,

for creation is the beginning and foundation of all God’s

works. (CCC, no. 198)

3. What is the importance of God’s Revelation about creation?

Creation is the foundation of “all God’s saving plans,” the

“beginning of the history of salvation” that culminates in

Christ. Conversely, the mystery of Christ casts conclusive

light on the mystery of creation and reveals the end for

which “in the beginning God created the heavens and

the earth”: from the beginning, God envisioned the glory

of the new creation in Christ. (CCC, no. 280, citing the

General Catechetical Directory

, no. 51, and Gn 1:1)

FROM THE CATECHISM