The Authority of the Bible

Question 1

What is the Evangelical protestant view of the Bible?

Answer 1

• The Bible is the infallible word of God
• Any contradictions are due to the limits of human intellect
• The authors were directly inspired by God

Question 2

What is the Catholic view of the Bible?

Answer 2

• The Bible was written by people inspired by God through the Holy Spirit.
• The Bible as a whole was inspired by God, not every individual verse
• The Bible is without error, any contradictions are due to not understanding things in the same cultural context of the author

Question 3

What is the Karl Barth’s view of the Bible?

Answer 3

• It’s not the word of God but instead contains the word of God
• It’s the way in which human’s experience God

Question 4

How do Catholics view Genesis 1?

Answer 4

• Catholics view Genesis 1 as mythical, rather than literal

- It was aimed to demonstrate God’s characteristics as a creator and the nature of humanity.

Question 5

How do Evangelical Protestants view Genesis 1

Answer 5

• Old Earth creationists view Genesis 1 as giving a scientifically correct approach - Genesis 1 and modern science are compatible ( not literalist)
• Young Earth creationists view Genesis 1 as literal. They believe the Earth was created in 6 days.

Question 6

How does Karl Barth view the Bible?

Answer 6

• It is not the direct word of God but contains the word of God
• Is the way humans experience God and realise their need for forgiveness and divine mercy, shown through Jesus
• Cannot be criticised by science and history. At the time of writing, people’s intellect was far more limited and subject to products of their time

Question 7

Give 3 liberal approaches to the Bible

Answer 7

• The Bible is not inspired but may be inspiring to individuals
• The Sea of Faith Network claims faith is purely human creation, the Bible has no authority unless given it
• The Bible is entirely human, written about what people thought God’s purpose for the world was.

Question 8

What do catholics use to interpret the bible?

Answer 8

Through Tradition and Magisterium

Question 9

What is Tradition and Magisterium?

Answer 9

• Tradition - the customs of the church passed by apostolic succession