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Inductive and deductive method
(7)
150. The communication of the
faith in catechesis is an event of grace, realized in the encounter of the word
of God with the experience of the person. It is expressed in sensible signs and
is ultimately open to mystery. It can happen in diverse ways, not always
completely known to us. With regard to the history of catechesis, there is
common reference today to inductive method and deductive method. Inductive
method consists of presenting facts (biblical events, liturgical acts, events
in the Church's life as well as events from daily life) so as to discern the
meaning these might have in divine Revelation. It is a method which has many
advantages, because it conforms to the economy of Revelation. It corresponds to
a profound urge of the human spirit to come to a knowledge of unintelligible
things by means of visible things. It also conforms to the characteristics of
knowledge of the faith, which is knowledge by means of signs. The inductive
method does not exclude deductive method. Indeed it requires the deductive
method which explains and describes facts by proceeding from their causes. The
deductive synthesis, however, has full value, only when the inductive process is
completed.(8)
151. In reference to
operative means, it has another sense: one is called "kerygmatic" (descending),
which begins with the proclamation of the message, expressed in the principle
documents of the faith (Bible, liturgy, doctrine...) and applies it to
life; the other is called "existential" (ascending), which
moves from human problems and conditions and enlightens them with the word of
God. By themselves, these are legitimate approaches, if all factors at play
have been duly observed; the mystery of grace and human data, the understanding
of faith and the process of reason.
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