Theme 2: Apostolicity, Inspiration, Revelation, Assistance Flashcards
2.1.1. Which text sustains that the Christian religion is a religion of the book?
MUSLIMS
2.1.2. Why does the Catechism reject that definition (from 2.1.1.)?
Because Christianity is the religion of the Word of God, of a word, that is, that is not a written and mute word, but of the Word incarnate and living (cf. CCC 108).
In fact, the Gospel was not initially a book, but the annunciation of the salvation that comes through Christ.
2.2.1. Why are we certain that the canon of the NT is closed?
Because the Council of Trent dogmatically defined the Canon of sacred books and, therefore, we know as a truth of faith that there cannot be future modifications in the books or in their parts.
2.2.2. What theological reason can we give to explain the fact of the closure of the Canon?
Revelation reached its fullness in Christ.
Only the apostles (apostolic age), who were in direct contact with Jesus Christ, were capable of transmitting this fullness.
2.3.1. When does revelation reach completion (“pienezza”)?
In Christ, the Word of God made man, in particular in the Paschal Mystery.
2.3.2. Does Scripture say? Where? (an example is enough)
YES.
2.4.1. – Who received and transmitted the fullness of revelation?
[DV 19] – The Apostles
2.4.2. – Is there a passage of the NT that shows it?
Mt 28:19-20 (the missionary mandate): “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”
2.5.1. – What does the decree Lamentabili say on the completion of revelation?
(4.VII.1907, n. 21) It condemns the modernist thesis according to which “Revelatio, obiectum fidei catholicae constituens, non fuit cum Apostolis completa” (Revelation, which constitutes the object of the Catholic faith, was not complete with the Apostles), through which it affirms that Revelation was completed with the Apostles. The document does not talk about the death of the Apostles.
2.5.2. – What does Dei Verbum say on the completion of revelation?
[DV 4] – He “speaks the words of God”, and completes the work of salvation which His Father gave Him to do. … For this reason Jesus perfected revelation by fulfilling it through his whole work …
[DV 7] – Therefore Christ the Lord in whom the full revelation of the supreme God is brought to completion …
2.6.1. – What did Cardinal Ruffini propose to add?
Revelation was closed with the death of the last Apostle. With this addition he wanted to confine well the end of revelation.
2.6.2. – What two terms of the proposal by Ruffini are not contained in the decree Lamentabili?
- clausa (closed)
2. morte (death)
2.6.3. – For what difficulty of theological terminology was the proposal of Ruffini rejected?
The fullness of revelation is not in the Apostles, but in Christ.
2.6.4. – For what difficulty of an historical character was the proposal of Ruffini rejected?
There are later writings of the New Testament that are certainly canonical, even though they are posterior to the death of the last Apostle. To accept the proposal of Cardinal Ruffini would have put the serious problem of the compatibility and canonicity of these writings and Revelation, which would have to be considered already closed.
2.7 – Did the Council of Trent make a pronouncement on the authenticity of the Gospels?
NO – The historical authenticity of the Gospels is doubted only in modernity with liberal Protestantism.
2.8 – At the beginning of the XXth century, what did the decrees of the PBC say on the authenticity of the Gospels?
They were not dogmatic pronouncements on the authenticity of the Gospels, but rather were prudential interventions affirming (contrary to certain conclusions of textual criticism) that one cannot teach, for example, that the Gospel of John was not completely written by him, or that the letter to the Hebrews was not written by Paul.
2.9 – What authority did these decrees of the PBC have when they were pronounced (“emanati”)?
They are affirmations that were expressions of pastoral prudence, not dogma: they said what one could do and teach, directives to follow in the study and teaching of the biblical sciences, and not what one ought to believe.
2.10 – Are these decrees in force today?
NO – Having overcome the modernist crisis, these documents are no longer in force.
2.11 – Who authoritatively declared that these decrees of the Pontifical Biblical Commission are no longer in force?
Cardinal Ratzinger, as Prefect of the CDF, on the occasion of the discourse of the presentation of the document “The Ecclesial Vocation of the Theologian”. (cfr. Osservatore Romano 27-VI-1990)
2.12 – What positive function did the decrees of the PBC fulfill at the beginning of the XXth century?
They were a shout of alarm against the exaggerations of liberal protestantism and were an invitation to moderation.
2.13 – What document of the Magisterium affirms the apostolic origin of the four Gospels?
[DV, n. 19]
2.14 – What is the meaning of the Greek term apostolos?
From the Greek:
απο (apo: from) and
στελλω (stello: to send)
Therefore, “SENT BY SOMEONE”
2.15 – To whom is the term apostolos applied (i.e. who is it referring to) in 1 Cor. 15?
To all those who are sent by the Risen Lord (to be witnesses of his death and resurrection), that is, those to whom the risen Christ appeared: to Cephas and then to the Twelve, to more than 500 brothers gathered together, to James and therefore/then (“quindi”) to all the apostles and finally to Paul (1Cor 15:3-9)
2.16.1 – In that passage, who are the “apostles” in a broad sense?
They are those who being witnesses of His death and resurrection, are sent by the Lord to bear witness.
