The Gospel According to Rome

The Gospel According to Rome Session 8 Church Authority The Magisterium A Survey of How and Why the Roman Catholic Church Has Departed From Biblical Truth and Authority 2013, Ed Sherwood, Berachah Bible Institute

To better Objectives understand: for this Course what the differences are between Roman Catholicism and biblical Christianity how Roman Catholicism departed from biblical truth how to evangelize Roman Catholics by helping them to know the truths of Scripture why ecumenical efforts by Catholics and biblical Christianity based on biblical error must be avoided Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. Psalms 119:105 2013, Ed Sherwood, Berachah Bible Institute 2

Course Schedule 2013, Ed Sherwood, Berachah Bible Institute Session Date Topic Material Covered 1 5/19/2013 Introduction Course and text overview 2 5/26/2013 Salvation - Justification TGATR, pgs 21-87 3 6/2/2013 Salvation Final Destiny TGATR, pgs 89-121 4 6/9/2013 The Mass and Sacraments TGATR, pgs 123-177 5 6/16/2013 The Role of Mary Part 1 TGATR, pgs 180-228 6 6/23/2013 The Role of Mary Part 2 TGATR, pgs 180-228 We are here 7 6/30/2013 Church Authority - The TGATR, pages 231-261 Pope and Bishops 8 7/7/2013 Church Authority - The TGATR, pgs 263-280 Magisterium 9 7/14/2013 Secret Access: The Vatican DVD 10 7/21/2013 Church Authority - Tradition TGATR, pgs 281-310; 341-344 11 7/28/2013 The Roman Catholic Bible and the Apocrypha TGATR, pages 337-340 12 8/4/2013 Sola Scriptura TGATR, pages 344-355 13 8/11/2013 Ecumenical Outreach TBA 14 8/18/2013 The Roman Catholic Church in the US TBA 3

Overview of Session The Magisterium Catholicism in the News Pope Francis clears John Paul II, John XXIII for sainthood Pope Francis and former Pope Benedict XVI releas Virgin Mary visionary visits, has visions, praises new pope Chapter 11 The Magisterium (p. 265) What is the Magisterium? Teaching authority in the Church (p. 265) Infallibility of bishops and the pope (p. 267) A biblical response (p. 268) Scripture is the Christian s Only Infallible Guide The Holy Spirit is the Christian s Only Infallible and Authoritative Teacher (p. 273) The Bible and the Magisterium (p. 276) A Test Case Exodus 20:4-5 (p. 278) 4

The Catholic Church in the Alabama News Marija Lunetti, one of six visionaries who said the Virgin Mary began appearing to them in Medjugorje, Yugoslavia in 1981, will return to Alabama, July 1-5, 2013. (Photo by Frank Couch for The Birmingham News/File photo/fcouch@al.com) She and the pilgrims kneel beneath a giant pine tree, facing a statue of the Virgin Mary. They pray the rosary until the moment Lunetti begins to have her vision, staring upward, speaking to the apparition. Although the vision is invisible to the pilgrims, they come from all over the United States to be in the presence of what Lunetti says is the mother of Jesus. Marija Lunetti is said to see apparitions near this statue in a field at Caritas in Sterrett, Ala. (The Birmingham News/Bernard Troncale) http://www.al.com/living/index.ssf/2013/05/vi sionary_from_medjugorje_who.html 5

Approximately 1,000 people showed up from many different states 6

http://www.al.com/living/index.ssf/2013/07/post_120.html Lunetti was expected to have her vision in a bedroom of the Colafrancesco house. Lunetti reported that the Virgin Mary appeared to her about 6:40 p.m., gave her blessing to the pilgrims gathered, and said she would return at the same time Tuesday night, also in the bedroom. Lunetti had her apparition on a mountaintop Sunday night next to a cross that Caritas installed as a replica of one in Medjugorje. Lunetti visited the cross on Saturday morning with Colafrancesco. "It's a big surprise," Lunetti said. She reported that the Virgin Mary blessed the cross during her apparition. She walked up the mountain on Sunday night and had her apparition there at 6:40 p.m. The 55 people who live at Caritas and work on the farm walked up the mountain with her. The 38-foot-tall concrete cross, with a 16-foot-wide crossbeam, was measured to the exact specifications of the one in Lunetti's home village. Lunetti, as she has done in past years when she visited during Fourth of July week, is expected to have her visions at 10 p.m. or 10:30 p.m. at night on July 3 and July 4. The pilgrims gather in the dark around a statue of the Virgin Mary, encircled by red, white and blue candles, and wait to hear a message from Lunetti's apparition. 7

Teaching Authority in the Church (text, p. 265) What is the Magisterium? Understanding what the Magisterium is, helps non-catholics understand how the Roman Catholic Church can develop extra-biblical doctrine The teaching authority of the Church resides in the bishops and is called the Magisterium from the Latin word for master. Only the bishops of the Church have the right to judge the true meaning of revelation and to teach it with authority. The task of giving an authentic interpretation of the Word of God, whether it is in its written form or in the form of Tradition, has been entrusted to the living teaching office of the Church alone. Its authority in this matter is exercised in the name of Christ. Second Vatican Council the bishops have by divine institution taken the place of the apostles as pastors of the Church, in such wise that whoever listens to them is listening to Christ and whoever despises them, despises Christ. Second Vatican Council 8

The Roman Catholic Doctrine of Infallibility (text, p. 267) Roman Catholicism teaches that God supernaturally protests the Magisterium from teaching falsehood. McCarthy It is the Magisterium s task to preserve God s people. professing true faith without error. To fulfill this service, Christ endowed the Church s shepherds with the charism of infallibility in faith and morals. CCC 890 {note: shared collectively) the faithful, for their part, are obliged to submit to their bishops decision, made in the name of Christ, in matters of faith and morals. Second Vatican Council matters of faith = doctrinal beliefs of the Roman Catholic Church morals = proper conduct as defined by the Church (e.g. attend mass) faith and morals distinguished from discipline and practice which includes optional matters such as praying the Rosary.. Matters of faith and morals do not change (Semper Eadem Always the Same ): (the) meaning of the sacred dogmas is ever to be maintained which has once been declared by holy mother church, and there must never be any abandonment of this sense under the pretext or in the name of a more profound understanding. First Vatican Council 9

The Roman Catholic Doctrine of Infallibility (text, p. 267) The gift of infallibility extends to the Pope, the Bishop of Rome in a special way: we teach and define as a divinely revealed dogma that when the Roman pontiff speaks ex cathedra, that is, when, in the exercise of his office as shepherd and teacher of all Christians, in virtue of his supreme apostolic authority, he defines a doctrine concerning faith or morals to be held by the whole church, he possesses by the divine assistance promised to him in blessed Peter, that infallibility which the divine Redeemer willed his church to enjoy in defining doctrine concerning faith and morals. FIRST VATICAN COUNCIL even when he does not speak ex cathedra that his supreme teaching authority, be acknowledged with respect, and that one sincerely adheres to the decisions made by him. SECOND VATICAN COUNCIL Conclusion: The Magisterium of the RCC wrongly teaches that the Magisterium as represented by the Pope and Bishops cannot err in matters of faith and morals. What then is truth? Truth is what the Magisterium says is truth! 10

Dissent in the Roman Catholic Church (text, p. 268-269) Despite the Church s claim to infallible teaching which is equal to words of Christ, dissent in the Church has been increasing. the term Cafeteria Catholics has been coined to describe the way that they pick and choose what to believe. McCarthy The Catechism of the Catholic Church was developed to combat the growing and widespread diversity of beliefs. - see Text, p. 274 I today order by virtue of my Apostolic Authority, is a statement of the Church s faith and of catholic doctrine, attested to or illumined by Sacred Scripture, the Apostolic Tradition, and the Church s Magisterium. I declare it to be a sure norm for teaching the faith and thus a valid and legitimate instrument for ecclesial communion. From THE PROLOGUE BY POPE JOHN PAUL II, October 11, 1992 The Church has no intention of relinquishing its authority over all Roman Catholic believers and has been retrenching its position. See p. 269 for qualifications of bishops and archbishops. 11

A Biblical Response to Catholic Teaching Scripture is the Christians Only Infallible Guide (and Authority) - text, p. 270 Most of the Scriptures to which the Roman Catholic Church points to prove apostolic authority are so obliquely related to the subject that without explanation it would be difficult to see the connection whatsoever. McCarthy In the early church, it was the apostle s teaching and the Old and New Testament Scriptures that were the supreme authority. Acts 17:11 - Of the Bereans, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. 2 Tim. 3:16 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. SEE CONTEXT. 2 Pet. 1:20-21 - 20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone s own interpretation. 21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. 2 Pet 3:15-16 15 just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, 16 as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. 12

A Biblical Response to Catholic Teaching Scripture is the Christians Only Infallible Guide (and Authority) - text, p. 270 Psalm 19:7-9 The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. Deuteronomy 4:2 You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you. Proverbs 30:6 Do not add to His words. Lest He rebuke you and you be found to be a liar. Revelation 22:18-19 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. 13

A Biblical Response to Catholic Teaching The Holy Spirit is the Christian s Only Infallible Teacher and Authority ((text, p. 270) Roman Catholicism teaches that the Magisterium is a moral necessity and that without the Magisterium, chaos would reign (e.g. see the divisions of the Protestant churches.) But the Magisterium has failed to produce a church of doctrinal harmony. See Monsignor Michael J. Wrenn s analysis on page 274 of the text. The Magisterium has also failed to produce a common faith among the laity. McCarthy God Himself has provided the resources needed for genuine faith in the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit. Long before the Magisterium, believers were reading, understanding, and following the Scriptures with the help of the Holy Spirit. 14

A Biblical Response to Catholic Teaching The Holy Spirit is the Christian s Only Infallible Teacher and Authority ((text, p. 270) The Holy Spirit s primary instrument in teaching the church is the Word of God. Eph. 6:17, the Sword of the Spirit ; Heb. 4:12, sharper than any two-edge sword ; Rev. 2:12, He who has the two-edged sword (written to Pergamos, the compromising church) The Holy Sprit was given to believers as the Helper. Jo. 14:18, 26 - He will teach you all things and bring to remembrance all that I said to you. The Holy Spirit indwells each believer. He is our guide, counselor, comforter, and strength. Jo. 14:16-18, Eph. 1:13; Ro. 8:14.rit The Holy Spirit gives some Christians special ability to teach the Scriptures with clarity and authority. 1 Cor. 12:28; Eph. 4:11 The Holy Spirit raises up elders to oversee, pastor, and teach the local church. Tit. 1:9, holding fast the faithful word, 1 Tim. 3:2 apt to teacb 15

The Greatest Error Concerning the Magisterium Roman Catholicism holds that the Magisterium and not the Bible is the Spirit s primary teaching instrument (text, p. 276). the teaching office of the Church is more important than the Bible: only an infallible Church can tell us what books belong to Scripture; and only an infallible Church can interpret the true meaning of Sacred Scripture; no one can do this for himself. Thus, the Catholic can read only one Bible, the Bible which is published by the Church. In other words: The immediate and highest rule of the faith is the living office of the Church. DOGMATIC THEOLOGY OF THE LAITY, FATHER MATTHIAS PREMM that meaning of holy scriptures must be held to be the true one, which holy mother church held and holds since it is her right to judge of the true meaning and interpretation of holy scripture. FIRST VATICAN COUNCIL The purpose of Catholic Bible study is not to understand the meaning of Scripture in its original intent, but to understand what the Church understands to be the meaning. 16

An Example or Test Case of How the Church Misinterprets Scripture Exodus 20: 4-5 4 You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 5 You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God. How Roman Catholicism interprets this verse: They (the commandments) do not forbid images of Christ and the saints. But to make and honor the images of Christ Our Lord, of His holy and virginal Mother, of the Saints is not only not forbidden by this Commandment, but has always been deemed a holy practice. This position is confirmed by the monuments of the Apostolic age, the General Councils of the Church, and the writings of so many among the Fathers. THE ROMAN CATECHISM 17

Here is the Problem! The practice of the Church is used to confirm the interpretation of Scripture. In the Catholic view, the authentic meaning of Scripture is what the Magisterium says it is. This is the supreme rule of Roman Catholic Bible interpretation. Since the Magisterium is not infallible, doctrinal error is compounded upon doctrinal error since old teachings are never abandoned and new teachings are added via supposedly through extra biblical divine revelation. This approach to Bible interpretation is futile. It only results in the Roman Church validating itself. It places itself over God s own Word and therefore obstructs the working of the Holy Spirit. 18

2013, Ed Sherwood, Berachah Bible Institute Sharing Your Faith With Catholics To the Catholic Reader p. 311 To the Non-Catholic Reader - p. 313 Pray for Catholics p. 315 Develop Friendships p. 315 Stimulate Thought p. 316 Promote Bible Study p. 316 Address the Real Problem p. 317 Encourage a Clean Break p. 317 Anticipate Trials p. 318 Continue to Learn p. 318 Oppose Ecumenism p. 319 Each week we will briefly review one of the guidelines for sharing our faith with Catholics Faith comes from hearing and hearing through the Word of Christ. Romans 10:17 19

End of Session 8 Thank you for your participation! The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. Isaiah 40:8 20

Organization of the Catechism of the Catholic Church 2d Edition 1997, 2865 paragraphs, 822 pages Fidei Depositum The Prologue - paragraphs 1-25 Part I The Profession of Faith (organized by the Structure of the Apostle s Creed) - paragraphs 26-1065 Part II The Celebration of the Christian Mystery (organized by the Liturgy and the Sacraments) - paragraphs 1066-1690 Part III Life in Christ (organized under a number of special topics and the Ten Commandments) paragraphs 1691-2557 Part IV Christian Prayer (organized under a number of prayer topics and The Lord s Prayer) paragraphs 2558-2865 21