God Our Creator

The numbers in parenthese that follow the questions refer to related paragraphs in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

God Our Creator

1. Who is the Father?
2. Why is God called "Father"?
3. Is God also "Mother"?
4. What does "create" mean?
5. What did God create?
6. Why did God create the world?
7. What are angels?
8. Can we prove from reason alone that angels exist?
9. How many angels are there?
10. Did God bestow certain gifts on the angels in creating them?
11. Did every angel remain faithful to God?
12. What reward was granted to the faithful angels?
13. Do the good angels help us?
14. Who are the guardian angels?
15. Who are archangels?
16. What happened to the unfaithful angels?
17. Do the unfaithful angels try to harm us?
18. Do all of our temptations to sin come from the unfaithful angels
19. Are we always able to resist all temptations?

1. Who is the Father?
The Father is the First Person of the Blessed Trinity, who is also called the Creator. (238, 239, 279)

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth (Gn 1:1).

2. Why is God called "Father"?
We call God "Father" because he is the Creator of all, above all, and yet concerned about all that he has made. We know God as "Father" because that is how he revealed himself and Jesus referred to God as his "Father." (238, 240)

All things have been given to me by my Father... (Mt 11:27).

3. Is God also "Mother"?
God is a being far superior to our understanding. Unlike creatures God is neither male nor female; God is God. However, since all fatherhood and motherhood has its source in God, we can say that God possesses all the qualities of both father and mother. (239)

As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you (Is 66:13).

4. What does "create" mean?
To create means to bring something out of nothing. (286, 296-298, 327)

Through faith we understand that the world was created by the word of God, so that what is seen came to be from what cannot be seen (Heb 11:3).

5. What did God create?
God created all the matter and energy in the universe, as well as the pure spirits called angels and the soul of each one of us. (290, 299)

All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be (Jn 1:3).

6. Why did God create the world?
God created the world out of goodness, to show us his perfections and to share them with us. (288, 293-295)

What came to be through him was life, and the life was the light of men (Jn 1:3-4).

7. What are angels?
Angels are spirits, that is, real spiritual beings without bodies, possessing understanding and free will. (328-330)

Bless the Lord, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, hearkening to the voice of his word! (Ps 103:20).

8. Can we prove from reason alone that angels exist?
We cannot prove from reason alone that angels exist, yet their existence is not contrary to reason. It is very "reasonable" to suggest that just as there are creatures composed totally of matter, and creatures made up of matter and spirit, so there are purely spiritual creatures. For this belief we rely on the testimony of Scripture and the Fathers of the Church. (328)

Praise him, all his angels, praise him, all his host! (Ps 148:2).

9. How many angels are there?
The exact number of angels is unknown, but the Bible tells us that many exist. In the garden of Gethsemane Jesus said:

Or do you think that I could not call on my Father and have him at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? (Mt 26:53). (See also Dn 7:10)

10. Did God bestow certain gifts on the angels in creating them?
God gave special gifts of grace, wisdom, power and holiness to the angels. They were also given the opportunity to merit the direct vision of God by remaining faithful to him.

They are not afraid to blaspheme heavenly beings, whereas angels who are much greater in power and might do not denounce them in such insulting terms before the Lord (2 Pt 2:11).

11. Did every angel remain faithful to God?
Not all of the angels remained faithful to God; some "rejected God and his reign." (392)

For if God did not spare the angels when they sinned...then the Lord is able to...keep the wicked under punishment for the day of judgment (2 Pt 2:4, 9). (See also Jude 6)

12. What reward was granted to the faithful angels?
The faithful angels were admitted to God's presence where they see him face to face. These good angels see, love and adore God, and live with him eternally. (329)

Their angels in heaven continually look upon the face of my Father in heaven (Mt 18:10).

13. Do the good angels help us?
The good angels help us especially by praying for us and by being our guardian angels. (334-335)

For a good angel will go with him (Tob 5:21). (See also Heb 1:14)

14. Who are the guardian angels?
The guardian angels are pure spirits who watch over us and encourage us to lead good Christian lives. (336)

The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them (Ps 34:7).

15. Who are archangels?
Archangels are members of a very powerful group of angels. From the Bible we know the names of three: Michael, Raphael and Gabriel. (335)

The Lord himself will come down from heaven and issue a command, with an archangel's voice and a blast from God's trumpet (1 Thes 4:16).

16. What happened to the unfaithful angels?
The unfaithful angels who rebelled against God were banished from his presence to the eternal punishment known as hell. They are called devils or evil spirits. (391)

Get away from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his angels... (Mt 25:41).

17. Do the unfaithful angels try to harm us?
The unfaithful angels try to harm us chiefly by tempting us to sin. (395, 407-409)

Your adversary the Devil goes about like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour (1 Pt 5:8). (See also Mt 10:1; Eph 6:11)

18. Do all of our temptations to sin come from the unfaithful angels?
Only some of our temptations to sin come from the unfaithful angels. Other temptations come from ourselves, our wounded nature, or from other persons and things about us. (1264)

When I want to do what is right, evil awaits me, for although I agree with God's law in my inmost self I can see that there is another law in my bodily members which wars against the law of my reason and holds me captive to the law of sin in my bodily members (Rom 7:21-23). (See also Jas 1:13-14, 1 Jn 2:15)

19. Are we always able to resist all temptations?
Yes, because no matter how powerful temptations may be, they are not sins in themselves. God will always give us grace and strength if we ask him.

So anyone who thinks they are standing should be careful not to fall. The only temptations you have received are normal human ones. God is trustworthy and does not test us beyond our strength-along with the temptation he will also provide a way out, so you will be able to endure it (1 Cor 10:12-13).