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CCC, 841 (Again)

One of the wonderful things about being Catholic is that the work of theology changes. No longer must I scour the Bible in a frenzied ad hoc effort to construct a theology, a "Christianity" that makes sense. All I have to do is try to make what God has revealed through the Church accessible to people. It's still hard work, but it's not from scratch. It's like an open-book test.

Still, this paragraph of the Catechism is a controversial one. We could split hairs, and begin an arcane discussion about levels of assent, and the authority of the Catechism, but we're not going to do that. Instead, here's my best shot at this paragraph, as a faithful Catholic:

The Bible is a love story between God and his people. His love is creative, in that it created everything we see. When our father Abraham was called, there was still much we did not see or know explicitly. Suppose people who had come from Abraham and his faith parted ways with us over things that were revealed later? Suppose after they did so, traditions and practices arose which are quite unlike we know as the faith today? Could we still say that they adore the one merciful God that called Abraham? I should think so.

It does not obligate us to agree with those traditions, practices, and beliefs which grew up later. Especially that which rejects the Son of God. Yet it is common ground, and worthy of mention.
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