Sources Of Authority

Question 1

What are the three types of interpretation of the bible

Answer 1

Conservatism
Neo-orthodoxy
Liberalism

Question 2

Describe the conservative approach to interpreting the bible

Answer 2

Catholicism

• not the literal word of God, inspired by him, written by humans through the Holy Spirit.
• new truths can be discovered
• the apostolic tradition = stems from Jesus’ apostles to preach the gospel to all men
• the apostolic succession = apostles appointed bishops to have authority over people and pass it down (living tradition)
• this allows the pope to have infallible interpretations of the bible
• scripture and living tradition have the same authority

Question 3

Describe the neo-orthodox approach to interpreting the bible

Answer 3

• the bible has many mistakes
• Karl Barth = it is not the word of god but contains the word of god
• gods revelation is hidden inside human language
• we become aware of ourselves as sinners when we read it
• scripture is a vehicle through which god may be experienced

Question 4

Describe the liberalist approach to interpreting the bible

Answer 4

Social Gospel Movement

• ore useful to put the gospel into practise instead of worrying about the authority of it
• use ethical issues to take social problems

Process Theology

• the bible is human made (no god influence at all)
• lots of the bible is wrong

Question 5

What are the layers of authority in Christianity

Answer 5

God
Bible (special revelation)
Reason/conscience (general revelation)
Church
Church tradition

Question 6

What is the catholic view on the church

Answer 6

• the bible and church have equal authority
• tradition and scripture are connected through the work of the Holy Spirit, who remains within the church
• apostolic tradition and succession

Question 7

What is the Protestant view on the church

Answer 7

• bible has authority over the church
• church teachings must be in line with the bible
• “it is not who speaks that matters in the church, but what is spoken”
• all believers have equal access to God, not priests only etc.
• salvation through faith alone

Question 8

Describe Jesus’ authority as Gods authority

Answer 8

• Jesus is one aspect of the godhead trinity so this unity means Jesus has Gods authority
• he essentially is god in human form who can perform miracles and so is Gods representative

Question 9

Describe the difference between Jesus as son of god and son of man

Answer 9

Son of god

• not a divine being completely, but comes from a divine being, like a father and son share genes but aren’t the exact same.
• has Gods Authority as they are a representative of him.
• David often called son of god also along with Elijah so it was not uncommon
• Jesus would have to be descended from David, but Luke and Matthews genealogies are very different

Son of man

• how Jesus referred to himself as
• no claims of divinity at all
• entirely human
• Gospels claimed that Jesus was a man, but those who were close to him knew he was the messiah

Question 10

Describe Jesus authority as only human

Answer 10

• liberal approach
• son of god used to show someone very importance in Christianity
• as the bible is an interpretation of events by people, the son of god should not be taken literally

Question 11

Different interpretations of the sermon on the mount

Answer 11

Jesus’ authority as Gods authority

• do exactly what is said to do
• love enemies, turn the other cheek, forgiveness, generosity etc

Jesus’ authority as human

• open to interpretation
• often speaking contextually so doesn’t apply to all situations
• “you must be perfect” is an impossible achievement to make