Heteronomy: The apostolic succession

Question 1

Question: What is the basis for the Catholic Church’s claim to be an authoritative source of Christian moral principles?

Answer 1

Answer: The basis is the apostolic succession, which is the belief that the authority given by Jesus to his apostles has been passed down through successive bishops.

Question 2

Question: Who were the apostles in early Christianity?

Answer 2

Answer: The apostles were Jesus’ disciples and other early Christian leaders, such as St. Paul, who first spread Christianity.

Question 3

Question: What command did Jesus give to his disciples that initiated the apostolic tradition?

Answer 3

Answer: Jesus commanded his disciples to “make disciples of all nations,” establishing a mission for the social institution of the Church.

Question 4

Question: What did Jesus say to the apostles that gave them great authority?

Answer 4

Answer: Jesus said, “Whoever hears you, hears me. Whoever rejects you, rejects me.”

Question 5

Question: What specific instruction did Jesus give to Peter regarding his people?

Answer 5

Answer: Jesus told Peter to watch over his people, granting him a leadership role.

Question 6

Question: What was the source of the teachings the disciples preached before the Bible existed?

Answer 6

Answer: The teachings were based on Christ’s words, his way of life, and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

Question 7

Question: How does the Catechism of the Catholic Church interpret Jesus’ command to his apostles?

Answer 7

Answer: The Catechism interprets it as Christ instructing them to preach “what they had learned” from Jesus.

Question 8

Question: What concept allows the Catholic Church to create its own teachings in addition to interpreting the Bible?

Answer 8

Answer: Apostolic succession, which includes the authority given by Jesus to his apostles and their successors, enables the Church to create and interpret teachings.

Question 9

Question: How does apostolic succession continue through history?

Answer 9

Answer: The apostles left bishops as their successors, creating an unbroken line of teaching authority that continues to the present day.

Question 10

Question: What is ‘sacred tradition’ in the Catholic Church?

Answer 10

Answer: Sacred tradition is the teachings passed down from the apostles and their successors, distinct from but closely connected to sacred scripture.

Question 11

Question: How does the Catholic Church transmit its moral teachings?

Answer 11

Answer: The Church transmits its moral teachings through sacred tradition.

Question 12

Question: What is the relationship between Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture according to the Catholic Church?

Answer 12

Answer: Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture are closely linked and both originate from God, requiring equal devotion and reverence.

Question 13

Question: How is scripture described in the Catholic understanding?

Answer 13

Answer: Scripture is the word of God put in writing by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Question 14

Question: What role does the Magisterium claim in relation to the word of God?

Answer 14

Answer: The Magisterium claims it can interpret the word of God and is the servant of the word, teaching only what has been handed down to it.

Question 15

Question: Why does the Catholic Church believe it has the right to interpret and create teachings beyond the Bible?

Answer 15

Answer: The Church believes this right comes from Jesus’ command to the apostles and the apostolic succession, which includes the authority to transmit and teach the word of God.

Question 16

Question: According to Dei Verbum, what is Sacred Scripture?

The second Vatican council’s document Dei Verbum

Answer 16

Answer: Sacred Scripture is “the word of God” written “under the inspiration of the divine spirit.”

Question 17

Question: What is the role of Sacred Tradition according to Dei Verbum?

The second Vatican council’s document Dei Verbum

Answer 17

Answer: Sacred Tradition takes the word of God entrusted by Christ and the Holy Spirit to the Apostles and hands it on to their successors to faithfully preserve and explain it.

Question 18

Question: How should Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture be accepted and venerated?

The second Vatican council’s document Dei Verbum

Answer 18

Answer: Both Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture should be accepted and venerated with the same sense of loyalty and reverence.

Question 19

Question: Who has the task of authentically interpreting the word of God?

The second Vatican council’s document Dei Verbum

Answer 19

Answer: The task of authentically interpreting the word of God, whether written or handed on, has been entrusted exclusively to the living teaching office of the Church.

Question 20

Question: What helps the Church interpret the word of God faithfully?

The second Vatican council’s document Dei Verbum

Answer 20

Answer: The Church interprets the word of God faithfully with a divine commission and with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Question 21

Question: How are Sacred Tradition, Sacred Scripture, and the teaching authority of the Church linked?

The second Vatican council’s document Dei Verbum

Answer 21

Answer: They are so linked and joined together that one cannot stand without the others and all together contribute effectively to the salvation of souls.

Question 22

Question: What does Dei Verbum say about the relationship between Sacred Tradition, Sacred Scripture, and the teaching authority of the Church?

The second Vatican council’s document Dei Verbum

Answer 22

Answer: They are in accord with God’s most wise design and are joined together under the action of the one Holy Spirit.

Question 23

Question: Why are Sacred Tradition, Sacred Scripture, and the teaching authority of the Church necessary?

The second Vatican council’s document Dei Verbum

Answer 23

Answer: They are necessary because they contribute effectively to the salvation of souls and each plays a unique role in this process.

Question 24

Question: What does the Church use to explain the word of God?

The second Vatican council’s document Dei Verbum

Answer 24

Answer: The Church explains the word of God faithfully with the help of the Holy Spirit and in accord with a divine commission.

Question 25

Question: What does Dei Verbum imply about the interdependence of Sacred Tradition, Sacred Scripture, and the Church’s teaching authority?

The second Vatican council’s document Dei Verbum

Answer 25

Answer: Dei Verbum implies that Sacred Tradition, Sacred Scripture, and the Church’s teaching authority are interdependent and collectively ensure the faithful transmission and interpretation of God’s word.