The Presentation of Question 27 Chapter 20

How does In God's Love 
written by Janet Hurlow
relate to 
the Catholic Faith ?

  Chapter 20 Things that Catholics Believe
                       that are not included in In God's Love 
                        and that is OK

            Part 1 Preface

908        There are things that are in our deposit of faith that are not present in In God’s Love and that is OK.     As mentioned in the Preface, I am not sure what this writing will become.  Therefore this Chapter may or may not be necessary.  If the reader is already a committed, dedicated Catholic who believes in Jesus Christ and the Church He founded, then you could probably skip this Chapter. If the reader understands the title of the Chapter, then you could skip this Chapter.   If the reader is one who is searching in their faith and is not a Catholic, or is a new Catholic, then this Chapter is written for you.

909           The purpose of “The Presentation” is to see if In God’s Love contradicts the deposit of the faith of the Catholic Church.  The messengers themselves state that they are not presenting a new faith.  Nowhere does In God’s Love present the idea that it is a summary of our faith.  I believe that  like many, or all, “private revelations”  In God’s Love is not presented to summarize the faith, but rather to help the faithful of a certain time period to live more faithfully.

910           When people become Catholic, sometimes they bring their old anchors with them.  I have seen this happen when Some Protestants become full members of the Catholic Church, but still have to “find it in the Bible”  or they will say “oh that is just a church idea.”  They still use the anchor of the Bible as the whole of tradition through which the Holy Spirit works.  I have seen this happen when literal readers of the Bible (some quite educated and even published with Catholic publishers) become Catholic only to fight against the Church’s approach to the Bible.  They see the Historical Critical Method as an enemy.  I have seen some people long for a certain idealized time period of the Church, only to ignore the movement of the Holy Spirit in the Church throughout ALL of its history.  They then resist any changes, or perceived changes, that the Church may initiate.

911           If someone is not Catholic or Christian and reads In God’s Love. and then, because of the movement of the Holy Spirit becomes Catholic, they need to be sure not to use In God’s Love as a litmus test for the Catholic faith, for it was never intended to be used as such.  This Chapter shows that there are many things that are in our deposit of faith that are not mentioned in In God’s Love and that is OK.  If In God’s Love leads you to find God or leads you closer to God, great.  If In God’s Love leads a person to become Catholic, great.  But it should not to be used as a litmus test for the Catholic faith, rather as an instrument to lead you to faith.

            Part 2 Church Operations

912           In God’s Love states that in no way do they contradict this “Sacred Institution” which I believe is the Catholic Church.(1)   There are many things about the way the Church is set up and how it operates according to the guidelines of Canon Law, that  In God’s Love  never addresses.  However, their messages are not meant to evaluate the Church: Rather, they respect and honor the Church as the place that God speaks to His people.(2)

           Part 3 There are Things that are in Our Deposit of Faith
                        as Described in the Catechism
                        that are not Included in In God’s Love

                      Section 1 The Profession of Faith

913          There are many things that are in the Part One the Profession of Faith of Catechism that are present in In God’s Love.   Some of the things are the following: that man is made to be in union with God,(3)  and all creation depends upon the Creator,(4)  the importance of the Bible,(5)  the Trinity,(6)  the incarnation,(7)  the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son (filioque),(8) the supremacy of God as the only God,(9)   the almighty God,(10)  the loving God,(11)  and the God who is the creator of everything,(12)  which includes the universe,(13)   the Angels,(14)   the Earth,(15)  all mankind,(16)  that the Holy Spirit is the giver of life,(17)  in God is all life and anything other than God is death,(18)  that Satan is against God,(19)  that Christ died for redemption of our sin,(20)  that Jesus died by crucifixion,(21)  the belief in Christ’s resurrection,(22)  the belief that the mission of the Holy Spirit and the mission of Jesus are inseparable,(23)  that the Church is Christ’s Church and it is a sacred institution,(24)  that there is a heaven,(25)  a hell,(26)  and a purification, or purgatory(27),   that after death we are rewarded according to our deeds,(28)  there is the communion of Saints,(29)  the end of Earth time,(30)  the resurrection of our bodies, (31) Judgment Day,(32)  and the belief in a new dwelling and a new Earth.(33) 

914           There are some things that are in the Part One the Profession of Faith of Catechism that are not present in In God’s Love.  Some of the things are, the covenant of Noah, Abraham, the way scripture was created, the transmission of doctrine through the ages, the Magisterium’s task of interpreting the Word of God, the ecclesial element of faith, the theological phrase “original sin”, the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Mary, the childhood of Jesus and his circumcision, the temptation of Jesus in the desert, the transfiguration of Jesus, the ascension of the resurrected Christ, the idea of the Church as sacrament of the Holy Trinity, the perfection of the Church in heaven,  the mystical body of the Church,  the apostolic nature of the Church, the keys of the Kingdom rests with Peter, and the succession of Bishops, also Mary’s Immaculate Conception, her “yes”, her virgin birth, her perpetual virginity, and her assumption are not mentioned.  Indeed, there are no references to Mary in In God’s Love. 

915           The exclusion of the name of Mary may not be that astounding because the messengers tend not to mention many names at all.  There are no references to St. Peter or St. Paul or any of the apostles.  The only biblical people that are mentioned in In God’s Love are Adam,(34)  Moses,(35)  Solomon,(36)  John the Baptist,(37)  Jesus,(38)   it is mentioned that Jesus “died for another person” but they did not mention the biblical name of Barabbas,(39)   they mention the repentant thief on the cross although they call him “a person who committed the most hideous crimes,”(40)  Jesus’ unnamed executioners,(41)  are mentioned and the biblical writer John is also mentioned.(42)  The only non-biblical people that are mentioned are Pope Paul,(43)  and Janet Hurlow.(44) 

                      Section 2 The Celebration of the Christian Mystery

916           Part Two of the Catechism presents the Liturgy, the Sacraments and Sacramentals whatever would parallel this discussion would be found in Chapter Eighth of “The Presentation.”  In In God’s Love there is no discussion of liturgy or Sacramentals.

917           In God’s Love only has two possible allusions to the Sacrament of Baptism, saying that we can become righteous of God and washed clean in Christ’s Spirit, but they do not tie it to a ritual or call it Baptism.(45)   The new life in Christ could be touched upon with one of the quotes.  Everything else that the Catechism discusses about Baptism is not present in the book.  Some of these teachings include, the initiation into the Church, the commission to Baptize, the ritual of the rite, the forgiveness of original sin, (although the messengers do mention being “washed clean”, but they do not mention being the adoptive child of God because of Baptism), and the sharing in the priesthood of Christ.

918           While never mentioning the word “Confirmation” or tying the action of God to a ritual,  In God’s Love does have one phrase where it cites that God inscribes a seal upon the elect that places you with the saints.(46)   This is what we believe happens in the Sacrament of Confirmation.  There are a good number of things that the messengers do not mention, including the laying on of hands, the perfection of Baptismal grace, the Bishop as the normal administer of the Sacrament, Sacramental Preparation, or the way the rite of Confirmation is celebrated.

919           The messengers do not use the titles of Mass, Eucharist, or Body and Blood of Christ, but  they do speak of partaking of the chalice of the lamb, sitting around the table with Jesus, listening to Him, seeking His bread, and having sweet bread and wine from heaven.(47)   While the above is not definitive, it is not hard to believe that they are discussing the Mass.  If they are discussing the Mass there are a good number of things they do not mention about Eucharist and some of them are: that it is the source and summit Church life, the memorial aspect of the Mass, the role of the priest, the words of consecration, transubstantiation, and the necessity of being in the state of grace to receive communion.

920           The messengers write about family life, discussing the topics of remaining virgins until marriage, praying for your marriage and your children, being a good spiritual example to your children, teaching your children of God, and choosing to teach the wisdom of God to your children and not foolishness that leads to damnation.(48)   That is the extent to which they write about marriage.  There are many things they do not write about and some of them are the wedding rite, the parallel of the love of God for His Church to marriage, the marriage covenant, the necessary freewill consent, the public nature of the wedding, the openness to children, the grace of the perfection of love, and the topics of  remarriage, divorce, and annulments.   

921           While the messengers do discuss God being a forgiving God and always being willing to forgive our sins,(49)  they do not discuss the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  While the messengers discuss the healing gift of the Holy Spirit,(50)  they do not discuss the Sacrament of Anointing.  While the messengers mention Pope Paul(51) and call the Church a Sacred Institution that they do not contradict,(52)  they do not mention the Sacrament of Holy Orders.

                      Section 3 Life in Christ

922           There are many things that are discussed in Part Three of the Catechism, “Life in Christ” that are presented in In God’s Love and here are some of them.  We are to begin all prayers in the name of the Trinity(53)  and the Word of God is our guide.(54)  Mankind has been given freewill by God,(55)  we are to do good and avoid evil,(56)  and take up our cross.(57)   Those who believe in Christ have life in the Holy Spirit(58)  and Holy Spirit can move in the soul of man and help him.(59)   The Beatitudes and the messengers confront us with choices to be pure,(60)  to be peace makers,(61)   to be gentle,(62)  to be humble,(63)   and to be detached from material desires.(64)   We are responsible for our actions, but God will take circumstances into account.(65)   We are to be virtuous,(66)   prudent,(67)  faithful,(68)  hopeful,(69)  and full of love for God(70)  and our neighbor.(71)  

923           The Ten Words or Commandments were given to Moses by God,(72)  and they are important  and most of them are discussed by the messengers.  The messengers write that there is only one God,(73)  and we should honor God’s name.(74)    They also state that parents should raise their children in the faith.(75)   We should not kill,(76)  and that includes all human life.  Therefore, abortion,(77)  contraception,(78)  and suicide are wrong.(79)   The church sees fornication,(80)   and homosexual practices,(81)  as sins under the commandment to not commit adultery.  We should not steal.(82)   We should not lie.(83)   We should not covet.(84)   Labor is good. (85)  We are to help the poor.(86)   Detachment from riches is necessary to enter the kingdom of heaven(87)  because where your treasure is there your heart will be.(88)

924           There are many things that are discussed in Part Three of the Catechism that are not presented in In God’s Love and some of the things are mentioned below.  Some basic morality concepts are not included such as, freedom is the manifestation of God’s image, the three sources of morality, evil actions cannot be justified by good intentions, and the neutrality of principal passions,.  The detail in which conscience is discussed in the Catechism is not approached by the messengers, additionally the definition and distinction between mortal and venial sin is not mentioned, (although the messengers do have a similar distinction between a sinner and God’s children who are not singing in perfect harmony with the Holy Spirit (89)). 

925           Some of the other theological concepts that are not mentioned are the veneration of sacred images as part of the mystery of the Incarnation,  the definition of grace,  the definition of merit, and the Church’s doctrine of infallibility in moral and theological matters,  although they themselves write that nothing that they write goes against this sacred institution.(90)

926           Some of the Ten Commandments are not mentioned.  The commandments to keep holy the Sabbath Day, honoring your parents, and adultery are not mentioned.  Some other sins that are not mentioned are the sins of masturbation, pornography, and Sunday as the Holy Day of obligation.  

927           Some concepts of social justice are not mentioned. These include that the human person needs to be the central focus of  all social organizations, the concept that authorities that exist have been instituted by God, the role of government, the obligation of public authority to respect fundamental rights of the human person, the approval of self-defense, but disapproval of the arms race and its effects on the poor,  the definition and promotion “the common good”, (although the messengers do encourage helping one another is a good thing,(91) )  The concepts that economic and social systems need to promote the common good and fundamental rights of all people and the right to religious and moral freedom are not mentioned.

                      Section 4 Christian Prayer

928           There are many things that are discussed in Part Four of the Catechism, “Christian Prayer” that are presented in In God’s Love and here are some of them.  We are to pray to God  always(92)   about everything.(93)  We are to pray to our Father(94)  from the heart.(95)   We need to pray hard.(96)  It is good to have the saints in heaven pray for you.(97)   There are different types of prayer: praise,(98)  thanksgiving,(99)  adoration,(100)  and petition.(101)   There is also a discussion of the Our Father.(102)

929           There are many things that are discussed in Part Four of the Catechism, “Christian Prayer” that are not presented in In God’s Love and here are some of them, the prayer of Moses, the prophets of the Old Testament intercessory prayers, the psalms as an essential element of prayer in the Church, Jesus prayer as a loving adherence to the Father’s will, the fact that the Christian family is the first place for education in prayer, and a presentation of meditative and contemplative prayer,
 
           Part 4 Summary

930           The above is not an inclusive list of everything that is our deposit of faith, but it is a significant amount of it.  There are some things that have not been mentioned that either could be included as “presented in In God’s Love,” or “not presented in In God’s Love,”  but I think that the reader gets the overall picture that much of what is in our faith is included, but there are a lot of things that are not included in the book In God’s Love and that is OK because it was never meant to be a review or an overview of the faith.  In God’s Love  is meant to help us in the “time of times”.  If anyone reads In God’s Love and it causes them to be touched by the Holy Spirit and become attracted to the Catholic Faith, they should not use it as a litmus test for judging what is good or bad in the Catholic Faith for the messengers themselves state that they do not state anything against this sacred institution(103)  who had/(or has) Pope Paul as it’s leader.   If they do not speak against the church, I am sure they would not like it if their work was used to judge the Sacred Institution of Christ.

  The next section in Part Two   Chapter 21 Conclusion