PEDAGOGY 0F GOD IN REVEALING AND 0F THE CHURCH IN CATECHISING

33 In the history of revelation God used pedagogy in such a way that he announced his plan of salvation in the old Covenant prophetically and by means of figures, and thus prepared the coming of his Son, The author of the New Covenant and the perfecter of the faith (cf. Heb. 12, 2).

Now, however, after the consummation of revelation, The Church has the obligation of sharing the entire mystery of our salivation in Christ with the people to be instructed. Mindful of the pedagogy used by God, she 100 uses a pedagogy, a new one, however, one that corresponds 10 the new demands of his message. The Church sees to it, of course, that this message, when it has been presented without adulteration or mutilation, is accommodated 10 the ability of the people to be taught.

On the one hand, in order 10 take account of the limited ability of some, the Church explains matters rather simply and briefly, using even suitable summary formulas, which may be explained further later. On the other hand, she tries to satisfy the requirements of the more lively and capable minds by using more profound explanations.