Final Authority?

[Hoonbaba]

Hi guys,

I know that the Catholic church teaches that the Bible is not the only authority, but what is the 'final authority'??

-Jason

 

[Chris†opher Paul]

I would say the Holy Spirit. I mean, the Bible doesn't talk or tell us about current matters or how to interpret itself.

Therefore, the Holy Spirit has been sent to help in its interpretation, just as Jesus promised to guide His Church.

 

[fragmentsofdreams]

One's individual conscience, guided by the Bible, Sacred Tradition, the Magesterium, and, most importantly, the Holy Spirit. We should never act against our conscience because it is God's Word written on our hearts. Of course, just because our conscience is silent does not mean it is okay.

 

[Chris†opher Paul]

should never act against our conscience because it is God's Word written on our hearts.

Well, technically, the conscience is not the morality on our hearts. It is like the mechanism that we look through to see the law on our hearts. It can be malformed, which is what I think you were alluding to in your last sentence.

 

[Wolseley]

The final authority is the Magesterium of the Church, based on the Deposit of the Faith (i.e., Scripture and Tradition). The fact that the Magesterium is being guided by the Holy Spirit goes without saying.

 

[geocajun]

Originally posted by Wolseley
The final authority is the Magesterium of the Church, based on the Deposit of the Faith (i.e., Scripture and Tradition). The fact that the Magesterium is being guided by the Holy Spirit goes without saying.

exactly. as far as the bible being the 'final authority' ... all authority that the bible seems to have is actually the Church - the bible is an object with no life in it, and it is the living traditions of the Church that keeps alive.

If the Church were to say today that the bible were not inspired, I would have no reason to beleive then, the bible were in fact, the inspired word of God - This is hypothetical of course as the Church would not do that - but I say it to make a point.
Would anyone believe the bible were inspired today if the Church said it wasn't?
Aside from the Church saying the bible is inspired, how does a person discern this on their own - we all have been given bibles by people and told they were inspired and either accepted that tradition or we did not accept it, but none of use found those 73 books laying around in different places and declared them to be the word of God - that was the Church, and it is still only the Catholic Church who infallibly declares that scripture is the written word of God.
So one cannot conclude that a book, which is a tradition, could be the final authority in and of itself.. that would not make good sense.

 

[seebs]

I always assumed God was the final authority. The Magisterium, as I understand it, is *guided by* God. In which case, really, they're the penultimate authority.

 

[geocajun]

Originally posted by seebs
I always assumed God was the final authority. The Magisterium, as I understand it, is *guided by* God. In which case, really, they're the penultimate authority.

not exactly, the magesterium, led by the Holy Spirit is men, with God acting through them.
penultimate implies a seperate, lesser authority, like to say that the magesterium might go one way, but God could go another.

so the magesterium is not second in command (penultimate) but rather the magesterium is men, speaking with authority ordained by God, and God speaking through men. (ultimate)

 

[panterapat]

In reference to one's conscience. Remember, it is a "properly formed" conscience which we follow. This proper formation will be in union with the Church and the Will of God.

In Christ, Patrick

 

[fragmentsofdreams]

If your conscience says "no," you should stop. If your conscience tells you do something (for example, helping someone), you should do it. If your conscience is silent, you need to turn to other sources of guidance. People can silence the "yes" and the "no," but they cannot get a "no" to become a "yes."

 

[brewmama]

According to the Orthodox Church:


The highest authority of the Eastern Church is the Ecumenical Council, involving the whole church. When the bishops of the church define a matter of faith in an Ecumenical Council, a requisite for its recognition is the acceptance and consent of the whole Church. Only then can it be considered infallible, of inspired of the Holy Spirit, who resides in the whole church, consisting of clergy and laity. to guide it into all truth. This makes every person within the church responsible for Christian truth. There have been instances where decisions of the bishops in an Ecumenical Council have not been accepted because they were rejected by the church as a whole.


from Introducing The Orthodox Church by Anthony Coniaris.

 

[Mephster]

Actually, the first question should have been: ..... what do you mean by 'authority'? 'Authority' of/over what?