Comments for Simply Complex at http://www.thecatholicthing.org , comment 1 to 8 out of 8 comments http://www.thecatholicthing.org Tue, 18 Jun 2013 03:30:20 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/simply-complex.html#comment-3216 Lee, I have spent far too much time with adults, young and old, that have a depth of faith that is that of a first grader! It may be possible to learn a given set of answers to specific questions by rote, and I encourage that as an age appropriate method of catechesis. But there is no way that a person is "thoroughly catechized" that way. Ultimately, the truth is a person, not just a set of propositions. The propositions give shape to the journey, but are not in themselves the destination. - Deacon Sean Smith Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:39:55 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/simply-complex.html#comment-3215 Your essay reminds me of a character in C.S. Lewis's "Great Divorce," a man who refused to leave hell and go to heaven because he thought the purpose of life was to struggle with questions and not to find answers. Bright minds have been poisoned by Albert Camus, who argued that the struggle is the point of existence, rather than arriving at answers. Sadly, such people are doomed to suffering. Sometimes, there is an answer to a hard question. Why can\'t the answer sometimes be a simple one? - Michal Mon, 19 Oct 2009 14:54:45 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/simply-complex.html#comment-3214 I sprouted on the Baltimore Catechism and 3 Harvard degrees later I'm still a devoted Catholic. I agree that it's like the multiplication tables or phonics. Even now when beginning a more "advanced" discussion, I find it convenient to ground myself in the BC. It is a remarkable distillation of Roman Catholicism, a library in a brief space. We are sprouting 5 Catholics of our own on the BC and find the review and memorization useful both for ourselves and the kids. Highly recommended! - Manduca Mon, 19 Oct 2009 14:35:59 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/simply-complex.html#comment-3213 Not ready for ordination, no, but yes, thoroughly catechized. Given the BC formation from 4yrs, a child going into first grade will know more, far more of the faith than present graduates of Catholic high schools. In all seriousness. Of course, it doesnt have to be either or. Let the diocese round out his faith with other texts, e.g the Didache series. But yes, In comparison with his entire generation he is indeed already thoroughly catechized going into first grade. He is equipped for life - Lee Gilbert Mon, 19 Oct 2009 12:31:41 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/simply-complex.html#comment-3212 I very much like the Baltimore Catechism, and think we would do well to have more "learning by rote". However, I do not think that using it, or any tool, can ever result in one being "thoroughly catechized". After years of diaconate formation and nearly having completed my Masters in Theology, I feel I'm just finally equipped to ask better questions, not that I have all the answers. Ultimately, the answer is found the the triune God, which is not someone we are ever done learning more about. - Deacon Sean Smith Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:13:26 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/simply-complex.html#comment-3210 Bishop Sheen pointed out the inconsistency of the human mind, on the one hand, being able to accept the mysteries of Einstein/Science, and on the other hand unable to accept the Mysteries of Christ. Thus the modern world accepts scientific dogmas without reason or proof and declares that religion must be free from dogmas and mysteries. Which are simpler to understand or embrace as truth? The Beatitudes or E=MC2? - Joseph Mon, 19 Oct 2009 09:51:45 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/simply-complex.html#comment-3209 Ah! To return to those days when the question. "Why did God make me,' was so simple and satisfying. But we have especially in the last several decades become more knowledgeable and can even make humans in a lab. We have become like little gods. Some of us meander our weary ways through life full of doubt, bordering on nihilism. The greatest minds know that to find happiness again we must pursue truth in an age where truth is denied. We must again find our souls in that simple catechism - Willie Mon, 19 Oct 2009 07:51:46 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/simply-complex.html#comment-3208 Yet we are not catechizing our children. The catechetical establishment is still foundering about, united only in their animus against the Baltimore Catechism. Nevertheless I wish pastors would hand it out at baptisms, mail it to their parishioners, urging them to start with their 4y yr olds (sic!)- when memory is voracious. Dorothy Sayers calls this the poll parrot stage. At that rate the child will be thoroughly catechized by age 8. This works!- esp w/ lives of the saints added. - Lee Gilbert Mon, 19 Oct 2009 07:51:10 +0100