Sources of Wisdom and Authority

Question 1

What is the Bible

Answer 1

The Bible is the holy book of Christians, it is a library of 73 books that were written by 40 different authors over a 1500 year period

Question 2

What do Christians believe about the Bible

Answer 2

Christians believe the Bible is divinely inspired and reveals God to his creation

Question 3

How many books are in the Old Testament

Answer 3

39 books mainly written in Hebrew.

Question 4

How many books are in the New Testament

Answer 4

27 books mainly written in Greek.

Question 5

Old Testament

Answer 5

These are the ancient Hebrew Scriptures, and are about the Jewish people before the birth of Christ.

It is the story of a covenant people of Israel, the people to whom God revealed his plan of salvation history through the Abrahamic covenant, the Mosaic covenant with the Ten Commandments, and through the sending of the prophets.

Question 6

New Testament

Answer 6

These are stories and letters about the life of Christ and the early Christian community
The New Testament is the living witness of a resurrected people and the new and everlasting covenant.

Question 7

What type of books are found in the Old Testament

Answer 7

. History
. Prophets
. Writings

Question 8

What type of books are found in the New Testament

Answer 8

. 4 Gospels
. The Act of the Apostles
. 21 letters

Question 9

What is the Catholic interpretation of the Bible

Answer 9

Inspired Word of God
Catholics believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God, written down by human writers
The Bible is God’s message in human words and as such is influenced by the human writer’s personal beliefs and interests.

Question 10

What is the Evangelical Protestant interpretation of the Bible

Answer 10

It is the word of God and must always be taken literally, therefore it is called a literalist Christian view.

There are no mistakes and everything in the Bible is true; it is inerrant (containing no errors) and absolute.

If the Bible seems to contradict itself, there must be a reason for this.

If the Bible seems to contradict science, scientists must be wrong.

Question 11

What is the Liberal Protestant interpretation of the Bible

Answer 11

The Bible was written by humans; inspired like any other writers.  This is sometimes called the liberal view.

The Bible contains spiritual truths and not literal truths.

The Bible helps people become closer to God by sharing human experience.

Question 12

What are the divergent understandings of the authority of the Bible within Christianity

Answer 12

Catholics accept the teachings of Science (such as the Big Bang and evolution) because they are not literalists.

The Catechism teaches that God is the author of the Bible. In Church, after readings, the phrase ‘The Word of the Lord’ is used.

Faith in Christ and the Church is most important. Faith in the Bible comes second.

The clergy (Priests and Bishops) use the magisterium to help interpret scripture
for the people.

Question 13

What is Magisterium

Answer 13

‘Magisterium’ signifies authority to teach the truth of salvation.

This authority rests with the Pope and his bishops, and comes from the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus sent at Pentecost to guide the Church.

The Pope and the magisterium are servants of the faith that has been handed down by apostolic succession from St Peter to the Pope today- this is the Sacred Tradition.

Question 14

Ordinary Magisterium

Answer 14

These are the everyday teachings of the Church, found in the sayings and writings of bishops and Popes, e.g. in letters and homilies. It is infallible and has complete authority for Catholics

Question 15

Extraordinary Magisterium

Answer 15

This is the infallible teaching of the Church on a special matter, it can be either :
. Conciliar
. Pontifical

Question 16

Conciliar Magisterium

Answer 16

Through an ecumenical council. This is when the Pope calls together all the bishops of the Church to settle a matter of dispute or to explore new questions facing the Church. There have only ever been 21 of these.

Question 17

Pontifical Magisterium

Answer 17

Through the ex cathedra declarations of the Pope.
Under certain very particular and rare conditions the Pope can declare some teachings of the Church to be infallible:

Pope Pius IX, 1854, defined the Immaculate Conception of Mary.

Pope Pius XII, 1950, defined the Assumption of Mary

Question 18

What is a dogma

Answer 18

A doctrine defined as infallible by the extraordinary magisterium is called a dogma

Question 19

The Magisterium as a source of wisdom and authority

Answer 19

“The task of interpreting the Word of God authentically has been entrusted solely to the Magisterium of the Church, that is, to the Pope and to the bishops in communion with him.”(CCC100)

The statement refers to the Apostolic Tradition, i.e. the oral teachings of the apostles that were never written down. It has been handed down to today’s Church through Apostolic Succession: centuries of repetition to form traditions within the Catholic Church. Therefore, the Magisterium has supreme authority

Question 20

What is the role of the Magisterium

Answer 20

interpret the Bible and the Apostolic Tradition for the life of Catholics in the modern world

to help Catholics respond to new situations e.g. advancements in technology and medicine like genetic engineering and IVF treatments.

Question 21

Nature, history, and importance of the Second Vatican Council

Answer 21

Opened in October 1962 by Pope John XXIII and closed in November 1965 BY Pope Paul VI.
The Council (bishops etc) were invited by the Pope to discuss matters  of faith and Church discipline

Pope John XXIII wanted to “open the windows of the Church to the Holy Spirit”

He wanted to bring the Church up to date.

Question 22

What were the four key documents of the Second Vatican Council

Answer 22

Lumen Gentium - Nature of the Church
Gaudium et Spes - Church in the modern world
Sacrosantum Concilium - Worship and the Mass
Dei Verbum - The Word of God

Question 23

Nature of the Church - Lumen Gentium

Answer 23

Each Christian was called to serve Christ -this meant that everyone should participate in the sacraments, attend Mass and confession.

This document suggested that non- Christians and even atheists would possibly be saved.

Question 24

Church in the modern world - Gaudium et Spes

Answer 24

During the council (in the 1960s) there was a lot of change happening in the world at the time
The document expressed concern over morals and values with all this change and advocated following Christ as a way to achieve human dignity.  The document claimed that peace and justice are necessary for all

Question 25

Worship and the Mass - Sacrosanctum Concilium

Answer 25

The subject of this document was liturgy and worship.  The mass now was to be in the vernacular (language of the people), More active lay participation in reading parts of the Bible and in leading the bidding prayers.   More responses were said by the people, and not just the clergy

Question 26

Word of God - Dei Verbum

Answer 26

Focused on the relationship between tradition and the Bible.  It considered the Word of God and how God’s word is revealed to Catholics. It is important to understand that the Word of God is not a book but a person, God is revealed through Jesus.

Question 27

Nature and Significance of the Church as The Body of Christ

Answer 27

The people who make up the Church community are said to be part of Christ’s body - both the people and the Eucharist is the body. The people who make up the Church community are said to be part of Christ’s body - both the people and the Eucharist is the body. All in the Body of Christ are interdependent and none are superior

Question 28

Nature and Significance of the Church as The People of God

Answer 28

People of God means those that have come to have faith in Jesus and are part of a “chosen people”. People of God means those that have come to have faith in Jesus and are part of a “chosen people”.

Question 29

The importance of the Church as the Body of Christ and the People of God for Catholics today

Answer 29

. Christ is still with us . Church is carrying on the work of Christ today . Mass is important as we share the Eucharist which means we share in the Body of Christ

Question 30

The Four Marks of the Church

Answer 30

The four marks of the Church are stated in the Nicene Creed in 325 and again confirmed at the First Council of Constantinople in 381

Question 31

What are the Four Marks of the Church

Answer 31

. The Church is One . The Church is Apostolic . The Church is Holy . The Church is Catholic

Question 32

The Church is One

Answer 32

God is a unity, so his Church must be one The Church : is based on one Lord, Jesus Christ. has one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. is inspired by one Spirit. has one faith

Question 33

The Church is Apostolic

Answer 33

It was founded by the Apostles. The bishops are the successors of the apostles who maintain and proclaim the message of Jesus. The authority of St Peter has been passed down by the Apostolic Succession to the current Pope.

Question 34

The Church is Holy

Answer 34

God made it, therefore it belongs to God, Christ gave his life to make himself holy The Church is the source of the sacraments which bring God’s grace to humanity.

Question 35

The Church is Catholic

Answer 35

The Jewish religion was for one race (Israel) Christianity is for the whole world. Christians are all over the world- it is a universal movement.

Question 36

Importance of The Church as One for Catholics today

Answer 36

Jesus did not form many different groups but one faith

Question 37

Importance of The Church is Apostolic for Catholics today

Answer 37

The Church traces itself back to the apostles through the line of bishops and the faith that has been passed down.

Question 38

Importance of The Church is Holy for Catholics today

Answer 38

The Church is holy, it comes from God. Catholics are guided and formed by the Church. The Church is not a human creation but a divine gift.

Question 39

Importance of The Church is Catholic for Catholics today

Answer 39

The Church is holy, it comes from God. Catholics are guided and formed by the Church. The Church is not a human creation but a divine gift.

Question 40

Protestant understanding of the Church as One

Answer 40

The oneness of the Church is seen as something spiritual, based on baptism and a belief in Christ

Question 41

Protestant understanding of the Church as Apsotolic

Answer 41

In the Protestant Church, ‘Apostolic’ is about being based on the scriptures that came from the apostles.

Question 42

Orthodox understanding of the Church as One

Answer 42

They recognise the oneness of the Church as based in the faiths as well as Christ, but differ in their approach to doctrine, viewing agreement on things like the Creeds as an essential aspect of ‘oneness’.

Question 43

Orthodox understanding of the Church as Apostolic

Answer 43

The Orthodox, like the Catholic Church, believes their teachings are based on the teaching of the apostles and the bishops that have come to them through the same Apostolic tradition.

Question 44

Mary as a Model of Discipleship

Answer 44

. Mary obeyed God’s plan for her, she accepted that it was God’s will. . Mary showed complete devotion to Jesus. She loved her son and was with him right to the end . Mary was without sin from the moment of her conception and continued to be sinless throughout her life. . Even when she did not always understand what was happening, Mary trusted God and was supportive and faithful to Jesus.

Question 45

Mary as a model of Faith and Charity

Answer 45

She believed the message of the Angel Gabriel at the Annunciation. She believed that Jesus was God’s Son before he performed any miracles She trusted that God would make sure death was not the end of her Son. She gave up her own life plan to bear God’s son

Question 46

Implications of Mary as a Model of the Church today

Answer 46

Most Catholic Churches have statues of Mary/ side chapels known as Lady Chapels Many titles of honour- e.g. Mother of the Lord, Blessed Virgin Mother, Theotokos (God bearer), Our Lady Church holds Marian solemnities (feast days such as Mary, Mother of God January 1 and August 15 The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary) and encourages Marian devotion e.g. the Rosary

Question 47

What are Jesus' Moral Teachings

Answer 47

. Love others . Forgive . Be a servant to all . Work for social justice . Abide by God's law

Question 48

Conscience

Answer 48

Catholics have a duty or obligation to follow their conscience. In St Paul's letter to Timothy he said having a clear conscience is something to aspire to. The Catholic Church teaches 'The Primacy of Conscience', this is the idea that God's voice lies in your soul and it is a sin not to listen to it. Our conscience is developed by our parents and families from we are young children, it is a voice inside us telling us right from wrong.

Question 49

Magisterium

Answer 49

The Magisterium is the teaching body of the Church. It can help us to make an ethical decision because it is made up of the Pope and Bishops who use their gifts to advise us on how to live our lives. The Magisterium gives teaching relevant for Catholics in the 21st century. They are contained in the Catechism for all Catholics to access. The Magisterium is guided by the Holy Spirit so it cannot be wrong in its teachings.

Question 50

Natural law

Answer 50

Natural law is the belief that all moral law can be discovered by man, it applies to all humans and can never be changed. Thomas Aquinas taught that humans should 'do good and avoid evil. This is in line with our purpose as humans and is supported by the Catholic Church. By following Natural Law we develop 2 types of virtues, cardinal virtues such as self-control and theological virtues such as faith, These then further develop who we are as individuals for the better.

Question 51

Scripture

Answer 51

Catholics believe Scripture, or the Bible, is the inspired Word of God and is therefore infallible, it is never wrong. This means we can find definite answers to our ethical dilemmas. Scripture contains stories from the life of Jesus; we can use his life as an example for us to follow Scripture is unchanging; it remains a constant in our world which means we can trust its guidance.