Source Of Wisdom And Authority

• Catechism


  The official teaching of the Catholic Church
• Parts of the Old Testament


  • Torah (laws of Judaism)
  • Decalogue (Ten Commandments)
  • Prophets (history books)
  • Writings (poetry, Psalms)
• Parts of the New Testament


  • Gospels (life and teachings of Jesus)
  • Acts of the Apostles (history of early church)
  • Letters by saints (instructions to early Christians)
  • Revelation (about the last things)
• Bible


  Important for Catholics as it records teachings on how to live, shows life, death and resurrection of Jesus which is basis of Christian faith, and contains God's laws like the Ten Commandments
• Some Bibles have 39 books in the Old Testament, while Catholic Bibles have 47 books
• Inspired by God


  (Catholic view) The Bible is inspired by the Holy Spirit, so it comes from God and reveals God's character and laws
• Ways the Church helps interpret the Bible


  • Apostolic tradition
  • Magisterium (teaching office of the Church)
  • Catechism
  • Priests' homilies
  • Bishops' letters
• Fundamentalist Christians


  Believe the Bible is the literal word of God, meaning every word is true
• Conservative Christians


  Believe the Bible was inspired by God, but not God's actual words
• Apostolic tradition


  The Gospel message from Jesus to the Apostles to the Church, which provides the authority and guidance for Catholics
• Apostolic succession


  The unbroken line of bishops going back to the Apostles, ensuring the teaching is unchanged since the Apostles
• Magisterium


  The Pope and bishops who interpret the Bible and define Church beliefs, providing modern-day answers and guidance
• Types of Magisterium


  • Ordinary Magisterium (bishops teaching what has always been taught)
  • Conciliar Magisterium (Pope calling a General Council to decide teachings)
  • Pontifical Magisterium (Pope deciding doctrine)
• Role of the Pope


  To lead the worldwide Church, appoint Cardinals and bishops, and guide Catholic doctrine
• The Catechism states the Magisterium's role is to preserve God's people from error
• Second Vatican Council


  • Brought the Church up to date, opened the Church up to the Holy Spirit, brought the leadership of the Church closer to the people
• Documents produced by Second Vatican Council


  • Sacrosanctum Concilium (changed the worship so Mass is in the language of the people)
  • Lumen Gentium (changed the nature of the Church so every Christian is called to serve God and you have to be baptized to be part of the priesthood)
  • Gaudium et Spes (affirmed human rights and showed concern over moral values in the world)
  • Dei Verbum (where the Bible is read by Catholics in our own language and teachings are applied to our lives)
• Church as the body of Christ


  Christians carry out Jesus's word through baptism, and the bread in the Mass shows the body of Christ, demonstrating the unity and importance of the Mass
• Church as the people of God


  Christ called people from all nations to join as a body of Christ to become the people of God
• Four marks of the Church


  • One
  • Holy
  • Catholic
  • Apostolic
• Mary as the model of the Church


  She is the mother of Christ and the Church, her Assumption shows the Church will take Christians into heaven, and she is an example of faith, charity, and Christian discipleship
• Sources of personal and ethical decision-making


  Jesus's life and teachings, natural law, and conscience (inner feeling of right and wrong, which can be mistaken and needs guidance from the Church)
• The Catechism states it is important for Christians to hear and follow the voice of their conscience