What is dogma?
Charles Journet (Author), Mark Pontifex (Translator)
The primary purpose of this volume is to give a lucid explanation of the meaning of dogma. The author begins this study by tracing the ways in which the belief in God has been expressed, and by showing how various doctrinal truths have been formulated by religions writers and Church Councils. With brief quotations from St. Thomas, his initial chapters show how dogmas are an object of faith and are essentially unchangeable. He clearly distinguishes between the basic assent to faith and the actual understanding of the doctrines of faith. The author emphasizes the importance of the two fundamental beliefs--the existence and the benevolence of God--and analyzes what else must be believed in the light of revelation. In a concise historical sketch, he indicates how the Christian doctrines were presented in the Apostolic era. He explains the meaning of the "deposit of faith" and goes on to show in detail how this deposit has been preserved and promulgated through the ages. He brings forward examples of various doctrines, such as the Trinity and the Marian doctrines, and illustrates their development and significance. He also considers the true value of dogma as well as the variety of linguistic difficulties in the expression of dogma
Print Book, English, 1964
Hawthorn Books, New York, 1964