- Allegory, 57.
- Angels, 9, 175.
- Apostles, their work in the world, 9, 77, 80, 153.
- Astrology, superstitions of, absurd, 165.
- Baptism, Sacrament of, 77, 139, 140.
- after state of those who die without, 122.
- Beatitude. See End of Man.
- Bible, harmony of. See Testaments.
- inspired by God, 56, 57, 58, 206.
- misinterpretation of, cause of heresies, 193, 202.
- reading of, helpful to holiness of life, 57.
- Blessed Sacrament. See Eucharist.
- Trinity. See God.
- Virgin. See Mary.
- Cause, First. See God.
- Ceremonies, meaning and importance of, 42, 49, 63, 140, 152.
- Chalice, 8.
- Charity, twofold precept of, 128.
- Christian life, end of, 43, 51.
- most perfect life, 43, 45, 51.
- sure means of happiness, 49.
- Christianity, truth of, evidenced by spiritual lives of Christians, 7, 67, 71.
- by external conduct, 71.
- the only true religion, 157.
- See also Jesus Christ.
- Church, the, Head of. See Pope.
- a monarchy, 191.
- perpetuity of, 192, 202.
- unity of, 190, 193, 201, 203.
- Church (a material building), symbolical meaning of, 152.
- Cloister. See Religious life.
- Commandments, the, 130.
- Confession of sins, 139, 142.
- Confirmation, Sacrament of, 139, 141.
- Contemplation of Divine things, 28, 44, 60, 153.
- Creation, doctrine of, does not contradict reason, 108.
- errors on the subject of, 160.
- Creed, the Christian, 99.
- Cross of Christ, veneration of the, 11, 76, 77, 162.
- Doctors of the Church, 8.
- Doctrines of Christianity are true, 35, 74.
- moral, of Christ, excellency of, 130, 133.
- End of Christian life, 43, 51, 81.
- of man is God, 27, 47.
- not attainable in this world, 28.
- errors on the subject of, 158.
- Epilogue, 204.
- Errors of astrologists, 165.
- of ancient philosophers, 158.
- of heretics, 190.
- Eucharist, the Blessed, 8, 11, 76, 77, 139, 141, 145.
- objections against, refuted, 148.
- Example, influence of, 69, 71.
- Extreme Unction, Sacrament of, 139, 143.
- Faith leads to God and holiness of life, 51, 75.
- in itself not sufficient, 76.
- never at variance with reason, 4.
- objects of, 15.
- why necessary, 16, 97.
- First principles must be accepted, 10.
- God, existence of, demonstrated, 17.
- the First Cause, 5, 18, 53.
- incomprehensibility of, 97.
- knowledge of, 23.
- perfections of, 21.
- providence of, 25, 27, 49.
- Pure Act, 20.
- Simple Substance, 20.
- Trinity of Persons in, 8, 9, 101.
- unity of nature proved, 22, 101.
- Happiness. See End of Man.
- Head of Church. See Pope.
- Hell, justice of, 113.
- Heresy, untruthfulness of, 190, 193.
- cause of, misinterpretation of Scriptures, 193, 202.
- Hierarchy in the Church, 144.
- History witnesses to Jesus Christ, 12.
- Holy water, 154.
- Idolatry, folly and sinfulness of, 174.
- Images, sacred, respect for, 152.
- Immortality. See Soul.
- Incarnation, 100.
- doctrine of the, not contrary to reason, 114.
- Intellect, human, not infallible, 30.
- Invisible things revealed through visible, 5, 15.
- Jesus Christ, virginal birth of, 117.
- truly God, 11, 74, 91.
- truly man, 100.
- goodness of, evidence of truth of Christianity, 86.
- power of, 74.
- wisdom of, 81.
- wonderful works of, 74, 91, 118.
- Jews, their testimony to Jesus Christ, 11, 180.
- their doctrine illogical, 75, 179.
- Keys, power of the, 143.
- Koran. See Mahomet.
- Laws, natural, human, divine, 133.
- Mahomet, personal character and life of, 195.
- teaching of, 195.
- refutation of, 196.
- Martyrs, 8, 9, 209.
- Mary, Mother of God, 8, 76, 77, 208.
- veneration of, 11, 77, 152.
- Matrimony, Sacrament of, 140, 147.
- Matter and form, 19.
- Means to attain end of man, 51.
- Messiah, coming of, foretold, 180.
- See also Jews.
- Ministers. See Hierarchy.
- Miracles of Jesus Christ, 7, 77.
- Morality, Christian teaching on, 130, 143.
- Orders, Holy, Sacrament of, 140, 144.
- Original sin, doctrine of, not opposed to reason, 121, 124.
- explanation of, 119.
- how remitted, 123.
- Passion of Jesus Christ, 7, 8, 123.
- Patriarchs, 8.
- Peace of soul fruit of holy life, 67.
- Penance, Sacrament of. See Confession.
- Persecution testifies to truth of Christianity, 78, 91, 209.
- Philosophers prepared way for Jesus Christ, 82, 164.
- Pope, the, successor of St. Peter, 78, 192, 202.
- infallibility of, 100, 127, 193.
- primacy of, 192.
- supremacy of, 193.
- Prayer, efficacy of, 62.
- made through Jesus Christ, 61.
- evidence of Christianity, 60.
- Preacher, Scripture useful to, 58.
- influence of life of, 82.
- Priesthood, double power of, 145.
- See Orders.
- Processions, the Divine, 101.
- Prologue, 3.
- Prophets, 8, 55.
- Providence. See God.
- Purity of heart necessary for happiness, 48, 73.
- Real Presence. See Eucharist.
- Reason never contradicts faith, 4, 104.
- not sufficient guide in itself, 16, 97, 158.
- Relics of Saints, 9, 77.
- Religion, necessity of, 41.
- external. See Ceremonies.
- interior, 42, 67.
- the Christian. See Christian life.
- Religious life, the, 12, 69, 73, 132.
- Resurrection of the body, 110.
- Revelation, 41. See also Bible.
- Roman See. See Pope.
- Sacraments derive power from Passion of Jesus Christ, 9, 137.
- number of (seven), 139.
- salutary effects of, 64, 146.
- Saints, 8, 11, 77, 152, 175.
- Savonarola, motive of, in writing Triumph of Cross, 3.
- preaching of, 58.
- Scripture. See Bible and Testament.
- Senses, bodily, not infallible, 30.
- reflect grace and virtue in soul, 72.
- Soul of man, form of body, 33.
- not generated, 34.
- immortal, 33, 111.
- errors on subject of, 159.
- Supernatural, religion must be, 97, 100, 104.
- Testaments, the Old and New, 8, 56, 202.
- Trinity. See Blessed.
- Triumph of Christ, 7.
- of the Cross, 8, 74.
- Triumphal car, a simile, 7.
- Vessels, sacred, 8, 154.
- Vestments, 154.
- Virgins and the virginal life, 8, 12, 153.
- Vision of God. See End of Man and End of Christian.
- Vows, the religious, 69, 132.
The triumph of the cross
About This Book
A four-part theological apologetic that defends core Christian doctrines through philosophical argument and scriptural exposition. The first section presents proofs for God’s existence, attributes, providence, and the soul’s immortality. The second argues that Christian faith coheres with truth and reason. The third examines central mysteries, asserting they are not intrinsically impossible nor contrary to rational thought. The fourth affirms the truth of Christian teaching while rebutting the claims and errors of rival philosophers, pagan practices, followers of other religions, and assorted heretical positions, combining intellectual argumentation with pastoral intent to instruct and vindicate the faith.