Roman Catholics believe in one God who exists eternally as a Trinity of three distinct persons: Father, Son (Jesus Christ), and Holy Spirit. This is the core of their belief about God. Here's a breakdown of key aspects:
Core Beliefs:
* One God: They are monotheistic, believing in one God, the creator and sustainer of the universe. This God is perfectly one, not a combination of three separate gods.
* The Holy Trinity: God is one in nature, substance, or essence (often described as *ousia* in Greek), but exists in three distinct persons. Each person is fully God, yet distinct from the others. The Father begets the Son, and the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son. This relationship is eternal and mysterious.
* God the Father: The first person of the Trinity, the Father is the origin and source of all that exists. He is often referred to as "God" in a general sense.
* God the Son (Jesus Christ): The second person of the Trinity, Jesus Christ, is the eternal Word of God who became incarnate (took on human flesh) in the womb of the Virgin Mary. He is fully God and fully human, with two natures (divine and human) united in one person. Jesus lived, died, and rose from the dead to redeem humanity from sin and reconcile them with God.
* God the Holy Spirit: The third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, is the love between the Father and the Son, proceeding from both. The Holy Spirit empowers the Church, guides believers, and brings about sanctification (making holy).
* Attributes of God: Catholics believe God possesses attributes such as:
* Omnipotence: All-powerful.
* Omniscience: All-knowing.
* Omnipresence: Present everywhere.
* Omnibenevolence: All-good.
* Eternal: Without beginning or end.
* Immutable: Unchanging.
* Perfect: Lacking nothing.
* Holy: Separate from sin and morally perfect.
* Just: Fair and righteous in His judgments.
* Merciful: Compassionate and forgiving.
* Love: The very essence of God's being.
Key Differences from Other Beliefs:
* The Trinity: This is the most distinctive feature of Catholic (and more generally, Christian) belief about God and sets it apart from Unitarian views of God found in Judaism and Islam, which do not accept the concept of a triune God.
* Incarnation: The belief that God the Son became incarnate as Jesus Christ is central and distinguishes Christianity from other religions.
Where to Learn More (Key Sources):
* The Catechism of the Catholic Church: This is the official compendium of Catholic doctrine and provides a comprehensive explanation of their beliefs about God.
* The Bible: Catholics view the Bible as the inspired word of God and a primary source of revelation about God's nature and plan.
* The Nicene Creed: This is a concise statement of Christian belief about God, formulated in the early centuries of the Church.
* Papal Encyclicals and Apostolic Exhortations: These are official teachings from the Pope that can elaborate on and further explain Church doctrine.
It is important to consult official Catholic sources for an accurate and complete understanding of their beliefs. Don't rely solely on summaries or opinions found elsewhere.