the church

• the church

  • the church defines which scripture is worthy of inclusion in the bible making the church the repository of faith, canon being decided around 367 ce
  • the bible requires interpretation, through the church many christians gain their understanding of the scripture
• what is the Church


  it expresses what Christ is and is the means by which he is present in the world
• catholic approach


  the roman catholic church claims it only fully exists when the bishops are a continuous line of succession from the apostles (apostolic succession). As well as baptism incorporating people into the body of Christ, the eucharist is celebrated as a remembrance of jesus' sacrifice and where the pope is leader.
• protestant approach


  protestants often say the church exists wherever the gospel is preached and the sacraments of baptissm and the eucharist are celebrated by the community
• maurice wiles


  identifies two senses of authority

  • hard authority- the bible's authority is like law
  • soft authority- the bible is akin to an expert on a subject, which doesn't mean the speaker is always right but they do have authority
• contrast between protestant and catholic views on authority

  • protestants believe in sola scriptura which means that scripture is the mosot important source of authority
  • they emphasise the importance of individual believers interpreting the text and the concept of a priesthood of believers (God is equally accessible to all believers so every christian has equal potential to minister for god)
• contrast- catholics and protestants on authority

  • catholics have a concept of tradition as the unbroken transmission of oral teachings and practise from jesus' time
  • they beliebe that the Magisterium (teaching office of the catholic church) the pope and bishops all teach with the authority of jesus
  • the roman catholic stance is that the authority of scripture and the authority of the church are inextricably bound
  • augustine wrote "i would not believe in the gospel, had not the athority of the catholic church already moved me"
• contrast- protestants on authority

  • claim the bible is the only rule of faith, containing all material one needs for theology. its sufficiently clear, not requiring tradition or the magisterium (church teaching authority) to help understand it
  • the whole christian truth is found within the bible, anything extraneous is non authoritative, unecessary or wrong and may hinder one coming to god
  • evangelical and fundamental protestant who follows luther's sola scriptura theory cite bible verses as evidence
• sola scriptura- scripture (i cant believe it)

  • john 20:31 - "these are written so that you may believe that jesus is the christ, the son of god, and that believing you may have life in his name"
  • 2 Timothy 3:16-17 "all scripture is god breathed and is useful for teaching rebuking correcting and training in righteousness so that the man of god may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" (this one is the good one i think)
• contrast- catholics on authority


  • catholics claim the bible doesnt endorse sola scriptura, rather the true "rule of faith" is scripture plus apostolic tradition manifested through the teaching of the catholic church. they were entrusted the oral teachings of jesus and the apostles along with authority to interpret scripture correctly
  • the second vatican council's document on divine revelation "the word of god" explains their view of the relationship between scripture and tradition
• dei verbrum


  • theres a connection and communication between scripture and tradition.
  • both follow the same divine wellspring and form a unity towards the same end.
  • god had writers under inspiration from the holy spirit write the bible and the successors of the apostles received gods pure word, entrusted by jesus.
  • both preach and preserve the word of god, and make it more widely known.
  • both are to be accepted and venerated with devotion and reverence since one cannot be without the other
• catholic view- scripture

  • 2 thessalonians 2:15- "stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter"
  • 2 timothy 2:2- "what you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also"
  • 1 timothy 3:15- "if i am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in gods household, which is the church of the living god, the pillar and foundation of the truth"
• catholic support for the authority of the pope

  • matthew 16:18-19 "and i tell you that you are peter (means rock) and on this rock i will build my church, and the gates of hades will not overcome it. i will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosened in heaven"
  • he became the first bishop of rome and later passed his apostolic authority to the next bishop. this unbroken chain is apostolic succession and gives the current pope that authority
• catholic support for the authority of the pope- scriptural objection

  • 1 corinthians 3:11 "for no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is jesus christ"
• the question of tradition

  • according to catholics, apostolic tradition consists of the teachings that the apostles passed orally through preaching. they overlap with scripture but the mode of transmission is different. theyre handed down and entrusted to the church.
  • paul praised those who followed tradition 1 corinthians 11:2 "i commend you because you remember me in everythting and maintain the traditions even as i have delivered them to you"
• protestant objection to tradition


  • jesus condemns tradition:
  • matthew 15:3 "why do you transgress the commandment of god for the sake of your tradition?"
  • :6-9 "these traditions of yours you have made god's laws ineffectual. you hypocrites, it was a true prophecy that isaiah made of you, when he said, 'this people does me honour with its lips, but its heart is far from me. their worship is in vain, for the doctrines they teach are the commandments of men'."
  • colossians 2:8 "see to it that no one makes a prey of you... according to human tradition... and not according to christ"