Thriving as a Catholic

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Divine Revelation
Lecture 8 Sacred Scripture Sacred
Tradition Magisterium
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Sola-scriptura

• Jesus condemns tradition?
• Mk 76-9
• Paradosis Tradition
• Notion
• The Bible is the sole source of religious truth,
  and its understanding must be found by looking
  only at the words of the text. No outside
  authority may impose an interpretation, an no
  outside authority has been established by Christ
  as an interpreter.
• What does this mean?
• We must reject Sacred Tradition and the
  Magisterium.
• 1 Cor 112
• 2 Thes 36

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Three Steps

• Have him prove from the Bible that the Bible is
  the only rule of faith.
• Have him tell you how he knows which books belong
  in the Bible.
• Have him prove to you
• He has the authority to interpret the Bible for
  you.
• His interpretation will always be accurate.

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Step One

• Unbiblical
• The notion of Sola-Sciptura is itself not found
  in the Bible!
• What does the Bible say?
• 2 Thes 215 So then, brethren, stand firm and
  hold to the traditions which you were taught by
  us (oral tradition), either by word of mouth or
  by letter (written tradition).
• Other Scriptural references
• 2 Tim 22 Be strong in the grace that is in
  Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me
  before many witnesses
• 1 Cor 153 For I delivered to you as of first
  importance what I also received, that Christ died
  for our sins in accordance with scripture.

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Step Two

• Have him tell you how he knows which books belong
  in the Bible.
• Questions
• How do you know that the 27 books in the NT
  belong and are inspired by God?
• Who collected the writings and on what
  principles?
• How do you know that other books do not belong in
  the Bible?
• Canon of Scripture
• The standard or official list of inspired books
  that make up the bible.
• Not the Church imposed something new.
• Is the Church codified what was already held as
  true.

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4 Criteria for Canon of NT

• Apostolic Origin - attributed to and/or based on
  the preaching/teaching of the first-generation
  apostles.
• Universal Acceptance - acknowledged by all major
  Christian communities in the Mediterranean world.
• Liturgical Use - read publicly along with the OT
  when early Christians gathered for the Lords
  Supper.
• Consistent Message - containing theological ideas
  compatible with other accepted Christian writings.

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Step Three

• Have him prove both that he has the authority to
  interpret SS and that his interpretation will
  always be correct.
• How do you know that your interpretation is
  correct?
• The Holy Spirit guides me.
• Then why are there so many different
  interpretations?
• Is the Holy Spirit really doing that bad of a
  job?
• We need an interpreter.
• An institution that has the authority to
  determine the infallible word of God must itself
  be infallible.
• To accept the Bible is to accept the authority of
  the Church.
• The Catholic Church defined the canon - we can
  only accept this canon if we accept the Church.
• If SS is inspired thus inerrant, then the source
  which wrote and defined the canon must also be.
• A fallible source cannot produce an infallible
  writing.

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Magisterium

• What is it?
• Pope and the Bishops in union with the Pope
  guard, serve, and interpret the Word of God
  concerning faith and morals.
• Scriptural Foundations
• Acts 151-11
• What is the scope of the Magisterium?
• Faith
• The truth about God and what He has done for us.
• Morals
• The truth about how we are to respond to Him to
  share in His life and love.
• Does this mean the Pope is sinless?
• Impeccability
• One cannot sin.
• Infallibility
• One cannot teach error in faith and morals.

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Doctrine vs Discipline

• Doctrine
• The truths of revelation interpreted by the
  Magisterium.
• These can develop but never change.
• Abortion will always be an intrinsic evil.
• Our Lady will always be Immaculately Conceived.
• Discipline
• The practical, pastoral laws of the Church.
• These can change, depending on the time,
  situation, and the judgment of the Church
  authorities.
• Color of vestments, what language we say the
  Mass, etc.

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