Sources of wisdom and Authority

• The bible means books
• Old testament contains law of moses/history of the jewish/ writings that include poetry / prophets the messenger of God
• New testament contains Gospels, acts of the apostles, history of the early church, letters to encourage and instruct christians and revelation
• Why is the Bible important 


  -bible records jesus' teachings and shows christian's how to live

  -it shows jesus' life death and resurrection
• why is the bible important 


  -it contains the ten commandments

  -reveals Gods nature
• Protestant churches have 39 books in the old testament and catholic and orthodox gave 47 books in the Old testament
• There are 27 books in the new testament
• st augustine of hippo states the new testament lies hidden in the old testament and the old testament is unveiled in the new
• catholics rely on the church to correctly interpret the bible and to teach them about god
• CCC 105 states God is the author of sacred scripture. 'The divenly revealed realities which are contained and presented in the text of sacred scripture
• Fundamentalists believe the literal word of God
• Conservatives believe God inspired words but not his actual words and God guided them to use their own ideas
• liberals believe the bible is words about God rather than his words
• 2 Timothy 3:16


  All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives
• Psalm 119:105 states "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path"
• Christian's use extra help with the bible like the magisterium and the holy spirit
• Protestants only use the bible
• catholics have apostolic tradition
• The magisterium is the teaching office of the church
• The apostles were given their teachings by Jesus which is handed down in the Apostolic tradition
• Jesus gave authority to st peter which was passed to all the popes through apostolic succession
• Matthew 28:18 - All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. Therefore go therefore and make disciples of all nations
• The magisterium is when the popes and bishops interpret the bible for modern day catholics
• Ordinary magisterium is when bishops teach what has always been taught
• conciliar magisterium is when there is a council to decide something
• pontifical magisterium is when the pope decided a new teaching using his power of papal infallibility
• the main themes of Vatican II were ecumenism, religious freedom, dialogue with non-believers and the role of laity
• Sacred tradition, sacred scripture and the magisterium of the church are so connected and associated that one of them cannot stand without the other- CCC 95
• The task of interpreting the word of God authentically has been entrusted solely to the magisterium of the church- CCC 100
• Protestant is Sola scriptura
• Apostolic succession is important as it means the pope has the same authority Jesus gave peter
• There is no higher authority for catholics than the magisterium
• Why is Magisterium important 


  it gives catholics answers to issues which did not exist in jesus' time
• View on Female priests

  Pope Francis states the church has spoken but i recognise the need to promote other forms of womens ministry and the role of women as a voice in the church
• Pope John XXIII called vatican II to bring the church up to date
• Vatican II produces four documents
• what were documents made me Second Vatican 


  Light of the Humanity changed the nature of the church every christian serves christ in the world not just priests
• third document made by the Second vatican council 


  Joy and Hope addressed the world e.g priortised peace, encourages dialogues with atheists and other religions
• 4th Document made by the second vatican council 


  word of God was about the bible e.g it should be read in local languages
• Divergent views of the Second council 


  -catholics saw this as a great relief and encouragement

  -some thought the reforms went to far e.g Archbishop Marvel

  -some though changes weren't enough and priest should be allowed to be married