Report: The Catholic Perspective on Being Human
Introduction
The statement "Being human is more than just a biological state of being" From
a Catholic perspective state that each person is unique and equal in dignity to all
others. People are rational and free beings having both a body and a soul. we are
in relationship to all of God's creation. God has created each person in his image
and likeness with a unity of body, mind and spirit, the statement above
represents the teachings of the Church which emphasises the dignity and value
of Catholics and there teaching. In this report, I will go over the Catholic
response to the statement, evidence from Scripture, Theology, and Philosophy.
Scriptural Evidence
The Bible is the founding text of Christianity, Catholicism and Judaism which
is the base of a few more religions. In the Book of Genesis, Genesis 1:26-27
says” 26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so
that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the
livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the
ground.”27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he
created them; male and female he created them.” This verve portrays human’s
beings made in the image of God. This imprinted on humanity elevates our
existence beyond mere biological.
Some scripture and tradition from Catholics
“I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain
the traditions even as I have delivered them to you” (1 Cor. 11:2).
“So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were
taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter.” (2 Thess. 2:15)
“You, then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and
what you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to faithful
men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Tim. 2:1-2).
“First of all, you must understand this, that no prophecy of Scripture is a
matter of one’s own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by the
impulse of man, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God” (2
Peter 1:20-21).
Theological Perspective
Theology is the study of God, God's character, God's actions in relation to the
cosmos, and especially God's relationship to humanity. It is based on canonical
scripture, and sacred traditions, as translated by authoritative figures that the
Catholic Church deems worthy to be able to translate the texts. The Church
teaches that "The desire for God is written in the human heart, because man is
created by God and for God; and God never ceases to draw man to himself.",
While man may turn away from God, God never stops calling man back to him.
Because man is created in the image and likeness of God, man can know with
certainty of God's existence by the proof in the bible and scripture and miracles.
But while "Man's faculties make him capable of coming to a knowledge of the
existence of a personal God", in order "for man to be able to enter into real
intimacy with him, God willed both to reveal himself to man, and to give him
the grace of being able to welcome this revelation in faith."
Philosophical Insights
PLATO SOCRATES ARISTOTLE
Plato was a dualist Agreed with his Mind and body are
believing the body and teacher, Plato, that one.
soul where two the Mind and body
Knowledge grows from
separate parts to a are separate. which
experience and
was human
person. wisdom beginning memories.
with the
Mind and body The soul dies when the
recognition of
separate. body dies.
one's own
The soul "A chariot" ignorance; the He also said” It is
pulled by two horses." unexamined life is impossible, Aristotle
says, to be good
The soul needs reason not worth living;
without wisdom or to
to help steer it towards ethical virtue is the
be wise without moral
doing good against the only thing that
virtue.” Only when
physical instincts. Plato matters; and a
correct reasoning and
believed the soul can good human being
right desire come
be corrupted. The care cannot be harmed.
together does truly
of one’s soul is The mind is
virtuous action result.
therefore the most intelligent, the soul
Virtuous action, then, is
important task we have immortal.
always the result of
as humans. Perfecting
successful practical
our soul should be done
reasoning.
throughout our lives
using reason to control
the body.
The soul is immortal,
but the body is not. It
goes on after death in
"forms." - has a type of
reincarnation.
This table shows the beliefs and what PLATO, SOCRATES and
ARISTOTLE think how the body and soul are intertwined and affect each
other.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the Catholic Church says that human life is sacred. The scriptural
evidence from the Book of Genesis underscores the belief that Catholics are
meant to rule over God’s creation and reflect God's image. The significance on
tradition and scripture in Catholic teachings shows the importance of
maintaining the teachings passed down through generations. Catholic theology
asserts that the desire for God is intrinsic to human nature, as we are created by
God, for God. Despite that sometimes people turn away from God, besides that
the belief remains that God eventually calls us back to heaven when he says
when we are ready due to the connection between man and God.
Overall, the Catholic perspective on being human is deeply rooted in the belief
and religion, value, and their purpose of everyone, reflecting the teachings of
the Church that is significance for us in relation to God and his creation.
Bibliography
1. The Holy Bible, New International Version
2. Catechism of the Catholic Church
3. St. Thomas Aquinas, "Summa Theologica"
4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_theology#:~:text=Profession
%20of%20Faith-,Human%20capacity%20for%20God,calling%20man
%20back%20to%20him.
5. https://www.catholic.com/tract/scriptural-reference-guide
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