Module 3 Flashcards
What’s the bible?
A collection of many books by 40 different authors over 1500 years in Aramaic, Hebrew and Greek.
What does the Old Testament consist of?
Law (commandments revealed to Moses)
History (history of Jewish people)
Prophets (messages from God)
Writings (education of God’s nature, virtue and reality)
What does the New Testament consist of?
Gospels (good news of Jesus)
Letters (documents of development of the early church)
Revelation (end of the world)
Canonical
Authoritative parts of the bible approved by the Catholic Church.
Deuterocanonical books
Belonging to the second canon (a later addition to the bible)
Bible quote
“The Old Testament books retain a permanent value, for the old covenant has never been revoked.” (CCC125)
How many deuterocanonical books do Catholics have in their bible that Protestants do not? What other denomination has a different bible to us?
Seven. The Eastern Orthodox Church also include additional scriptures that Catholics don’t recognise.
When/ where were the deuterocanonical books affirmed?
At the council of Trent in 1545.
How do Catholics interpret the Bible?
They believe that it’s the inspired word of God, written by humans. ‘God’s message in human words.’
It’s influenced by the writer’s own personal beliefs and interests.
3 interpretations of the bible.
Inspired (Catholic)
Literal (fundamentalist)
Liberal
What’s the inspired interpretation of the bible?
Inspired word of God written down by humans. There’s truth in the message.
Interpretations of the bible quote
‘All scripture is inspired by God’ (2 Timothy 3:16)
What’s the literal interpretation of the bible?
That the bible is inerrant and that there’s a reason for any contradictions of it. If it goes against science, then the science is wrong. For example, the Big Bang/evolution is incorrect.
What’s the liberal interpretation of the Bible?
That it was written by inspired humans and contains spiritual truths, symbolism and poetry that overall invites closeness with God through sharing of human experience. Some parts are outdated and irrelevant to modern day life.
How is the bible used today?
Used many different ways, for example as a prayerful activity to read and understand it as a whole text. The teachings guide us as to how we interpret the bible. It’s a source of guidance and comfort.
Implications of the bible today
Most catholics are inspired ande don’t reject spiritual truths of genesis. Belief in the bible is held second to faith in Jesus. Used in mass ‘the word of the lord’.
Lectionary
Book containing readings to be read in mass.
The magisterium quote
“The task of interpreting the word of God is entrusted solely to the Magisterium of the Church”(CCC100)
The pontiff supreme
The pope (head of the Catholic Church) who is also bishop of Rome. Is elected by cardinals.
Magisterium
Teaching authority of the Church held together by the pope and his bishops
The role of the magisterium
They interpret the bible and apostolic tradition for Catholics in the modern day world.
They define dogmas and give conciliar teachings of the Church.
They communicate teachings to bishops through apostolic succession.
Help Catholics respond to modern day ethical dilemmas.
Apostolic succession
Belief that tradition from apostles has been handed down to pope and bishops.
Assumption
Taking of Mary (body and soul) up to heaven.
Dogma
Doctrines infallibly defined by the ecumenical council.
Ex cathedra
Authority of the pope inherited from St. Peter. Succession of St. Peter.
2 types of teachings from the pope
Ordinary and extraordinary
Ordinary teachings
Everyday teachings of the Church from bishops/popes.