Section I- A
Foley outlines very clearly his understanding of church in the book “Believing in Jesus”. He illustrates most of his views of the Church with reference to the Catechism and many Vatican II documents. He deals with the Church as a whole in a very humane and realistic manner stressing the point which was declared in Vatican II that the Church is “both human and divine” (Constitution on the Liturgy #2). Just as Foley discusses the matter of Church in a humane manner so too does he show a more modern view of the Church showing its humaneness. He says “the Church is people” (p. 88) which is a community that is a sign and instrument to the nations of Jesus’ continuing work of salvation.
Foley highlights that this community is for all people, “there is no exclusiveness about this body, it is meant to include every human being on earth.” (Catechism #849). Foley also emphasizes that “the power of God is present in all human beings” and says that “God rules us…..but also in His ruling He gives us each the power to choose” (p. 90). Here he is showing that he sees the Church as being open to all, an invitation to all waiting to be answered, but God will not intrude, He does not choose us we choose Him.
In explaining the Church as Gods Building Foley describes Jesus as the foundation “the cornerstone” (Psalm 118:22) given to us by God and as scripture says “through Him the whole structure is held together and grows into a temple sacred in the Lord…a dwelling place of God in the Spirit” (Ephesians 2:21-22), and as Peter says each of us in this community, the Church are “living stones” built into this temple (1Peter 2:5). I feel this metaphor of the Church as God’s building best describes Foleys overall understanding of the Church. Finally it is crucial to also note that Foley acknowledges that the church as a community has faults and problems as do all bodies in society, but he sees these in a positive light which can be overcome...