RS

• The word "Christian" appears 3 times in the Bible
• There are 66 total books in the Bible
• Christians believe the Bible is the 'Word of God': 'Because all scripture is inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16)'
• Types of writing in the Bible

  • Law
  • History
  • Writings
  • Prophets
• Types of writing in the New Testament

  • Gospels
  • Acts of the Apostles
  • Letters
  • Revelation
• Inspired word of God

  The Catholic view: the Bible is the inspired word of God, written down by human writers
• Literal word of God


  Some Christians believe the Bible is true word for word as it is God's revelation
• Young Earth creationism


  A form of creationism which holds that the Earth and its lifeforms were created in their present forms by God between approximately 6,000 and 10,000 years ago
• Liberal way


  Some Christians believe the Bible was written by humans that were inspired like any other writers, and contains spiritual, non-literal truths
• Leviticus 25:44-46 contains outdated beliefs about slavery
• Leviticus 18:22 contains outdated beliefs about homosexuality
• Before Vatican II, Catholics were warned not to read the Bible as it was considered too dangerous and easy to misunderstand
• Since just before Vatican II, Catholics are encouraged to read the Bible humbly, carefully and prayerfully
• Magisterium


  The Church's power or right to give orders, including doctrine (Church teaching) and dogma (Church law)
• Ways the Magisterium can be exercised

  • Ordinary Magisterium (everyday teaching of the Church)
  • Extraordinary Magisterium (e.g. Papal encyclicals)
• Magisterium


  The Church's power or right to give orders
• Doctrine


  Church Teaching
• Dogma


  Church Law
• The authority of the Magisterium rests with the Pope and his bishops and comes from the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus sent to guide the Church at Pentecost
• Jesus gave the authority to teach to the apostles. This authority is now called the magisterium and the teachings come from the Pope and his bishops
• Types of Magisterium


  • Ordinary Magisterium
  • Extraordinary Magisterium
• Ordinary Magisterium


  The everyday teaching of the Church, including bishops preaching homilies and the Pope writing encyclicals
• Extraordinary Magisterium


  Times when the teaching authority of the Church is used, including Pontifical Magisterium and Conciliar Magisterium
• Pontifical Magisterium


  When the Pope, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, speaks ex cathedra (from the chair) and is believed to be infallible
• Conciliar Magisterium


  When the Pope calls together all the bishops to settle a problem or explore new questions facing the Church
• The most recent pronouncements made under the infallible teaching authority of the Pope are the Immaculate Conception and Assumption of the Virgin Mary
• The last council was Vatican II held in the 1960's
• Second Vatican Council


  • Pope John XXIII realised the Church needed to try new approaches to connect with the modern world
  • The council encouraged Catholics to respond to issues of poverty and social justice, the impact of science and technology, and to engage in the modern world
  • Changes to the Church's public worship, including Mass in local language and the priest facing the congregation
  • Encouraged Catholics to use the Bible as part of their prayers and increased biblical scholarship
  • Encouraged ordinary Catholics to take a more active role in the mission of the Church and to serve Jesus
• Pope John XXIII: '"The Church...desires that all faithful should be led to...active participation in liturgical celebrations."'
• Lumen Gentium: '"It is the noble duty of pastors to recognise the services...and gifts of the laity"'
• Dei Verbum: '"Jesus perfected revelation by fulfilling it through his whole work of making himself present"'
• Gaudium et Spes: '"The joys and hopes, the grief and anguish of the people of our time...are the joys and hopes...of the followers of Christ as well"'
• Ordinary Magisterium


  The everyday teaching of the Church, such as through sermons, homilies, and other routine teachings. It is considered to be the ordinary and consistent teaching of the Church, and is exercised by bishops in communion with the Pope.
• Extraordinary Magisterium


  The extraordinary teachings of the Church, which are given in specific circumstances and are intended to address significant theological issues. Examples include Papal encyclicals and ecumenical councils.
• The Body of Christ

  The idea of one united body following Jesus as the head of that body
• Members of the Catholic Church

  • Laity
  • Clergy
  • Religious
• Laity


  Baptised members of the Catholic community
• Clergy


  People who administer the sacraments living their lives for God
• Religious


  Monks, nuns, brothers and sisters who live a life of obedience, chastity and poverty
• 1 Corinthians 12:13: '"For by one Spirit we were all baptised into one body – Jews or Greeks, slaves or free…"'