Beliefs and Sources of Authority

The bible is not a single book but a LIBRARY (73 books)

Old Testament 

• deals with the way God looked after the Jewish people before Jesus
• Christians believe the promises God made to his people were later fulfilled in Jesus

Why is it important?

• contains creation story- first beliefs about how God created universe
• contains God's developing realtionship with humankind, covenant with Abraham, 10 commandments etc
• christian faith grew out of Jewish faith

Still relevant because:

• contains what is still belived today by christians
• conatins the covenant which is later fulfilled in NC

Based on life and teachings of JESUS and the APOSTLES 

Contains:

• Gospels (tells actions and teachings of Jesus
• Acts of the Apostles (events of early Church)
• Letters (by Paul and Peter on how to live by jesus' teachings and what it means to be christian)
• Book of revelations (apocalyptic book)

• Took 350 yrs to be accepted
• loads of books were rejected because they were written later o did not reflect what Jesus taught

Bible has authority for Catholics because:

• Bible is word of God (God speaks to believers through bible)
• jesus is word of God made flesh
• Holy spirit inspired the writers
• It reveals God and shows us his character and his commands
• Contains God's law on how we should behave (10 Commandments)
• Brings people together in a closer relationship with God
• Jesus is 2nd person in trinity so therefore what he taught has authority

How is it used?

• weddings, funerals, baptisms, masses, prayer, all sacraments, in court, private worship
• as a guide- Jesus' teachings// to learn right from wrong
• to follow the liturgical year
• priest interpreates bible to teach christians// basis of church teachings
• teach about salvation of Jesus and his life
• proverbs, songs, thought for the day

Fundamentalists 

• Believe bible is a factual historical record, miracles are accepted as events that happened exactly as desribed- accept contradictions and common sense 

Litralists

• believe every word is literally true even when it defies common sense and scientific understanding
• believe God actually created the world in 6 24h days and Noah took 2 of every animal on the ark

Liberal

• believe bible was created by humans so therefore bible may not be entirely accurate as humans make mistakes
• it is the spiritual truth
• writers inspired by the holy spirit 
• relects writers own personality, time and understaning

Fundamentalism

STRENGTHS

• simple to follow, no interpretation needd
• clear teachings on how to live yo life, moral values & path to eternal life
• no errors and cannot be questioned
• has authority as word of God

WEAKNESSES

• People cannot have an opinion
• rejects most scientific teachings i.e. the big bang theory
• Problems with contradictions i.e. "eye for an eye"- OT but "turn the other cheek"- NT
• Rules outdated  like "if a woman does not cover her head, she should cut her hair off"

Liberal approach

STRENGTHS

• Fits in with modern understanding
• enables belivers to identify what is an eternal truth and what is no longer relevant
• can follow relevant teachings
• old  teachings seen as a product of its time

WEAKNESSES

• challenges authority of the bible
• becomes a pick and chose religion
• everyone interpreates it differently- whats right/ wrong?
• becomes pick and choose - how are humans able to decide which teachings should be followed and whcih should be rejected 

A creed is a statement of beliefs

Teachings about God, affirms the TRINITY

• God the Father, the creater of heaven and earth

God is perect and has no faults that a human father might have. He gave life and brought people into existence, looks after us, sets us rules and loves us

• God the Son who came down to earth as man

Jesus was born human and was the INCARNATION (God becoming flesh by power of Holy Spirit) he died to save us from our sins, he suffered death, conquered it to give us all salvation. He fullfilled the scriptures and had to die for his life to have meaning

• God the Holy Spirit who is the ower of God at work in the world

HS is received through sacraments and it inspires them to make choices right from wrong. It gives strength to carry on living as a christian and responding to God's call. 

AGREE

• If Jesus had a mum and a human dad he would have been only human and therefore couldn't have lived without sin
• He wouldn't have been able to perform miracles if he wasn't the son of God
• Gives menaing and authority to his death and resurrection 
• Christians belive Bible is word of God and it is written in there about the immaculate conception

DISAGREE

• No scientific proof or ossibility for a virgin to get pregnant via the Holy Spirit
• You need to have faith to belive
• difficult to accept how Jeus can be human without a human father

A Church is a group of believers that accept Jesus as christ, the son of God, made man.            The Church is the body of Christ and performs as Christ on earth. We are the BODY OF CHRIST!

All christians believe:

• There is only one God
• Bible is their Holy booj
• Follow the teachings of Jesus
• Jesus is the son of God

A denomination is the different chirstian groups within one group

• Roman Catholic
• Baptist
• Methodist
• Church of England
• Salvation Army 
• Quakers (society of friends)

STRENGTHS

• He left everything to follow Jesus
• First human to call Jesus the Christ
• Jesus chose hum to be the foundation of the Church
• Saw Jesus as the son and accepted his authority
• Peter was inspired by God 

WEAKNESSES

• Doubted Jesus "Look we have left everything & followed you"
• Fell into temptation- fell asleep at Gethsemane
• Denied knowing Jesus 3x out of fear- fear overtakes his faith
• Peter lets Jesus down in the garden of gethsamane-cut of soldiers ear against Jesus wishes- can be arrogant and get caried away

HOWEVER... his weaknesses show he was only human. Despite his flaws, it was God's will for him to be foundation of the Church

• It is important for Catholics for there to be a direct line of sucession from Peter because God chose Peter as pope so all popes after him are carrying out God's will
• Pope is INFALLIABLE- can't be wrong as he is guided by the Holy Spirit- he gives firm grouding for the christian beliefs
• The pope interpretates the Bible and defines the belief of the Church
• He teaches moral beliefs which we must follow 
• Hi is responsible for the Magisterium- the teaching authority of the Church

BISHOPS

• Still needed to ordain priests
• reponsible for the diocese
• reports beack to pope- easier for pope to see bishops instead of lots of priests
• they are the successors of the apostles 
• Church is a cathedral
• They assist the pope
• May NOT be needed as you could give priest more repsonsibility instead \and there would still be cardinals and archbishops

NEEDED because

• otherwise left to conscience
• church teaches how we should live our lives
• pope head of it- descends back to St. Peter so therefore beliefs come from God
• It is one of the bible's main sources 
• interpreated beliefs and teachings
• inspired by holy spirit
• gives clear guidlines

HOWEVER

• Other churches don't have it i.e. Church of England
• Not up to date views and beliefs

FOR

• Is the word of God
• Christian teachings are based from it 
• It is the christian holy book 

AGAINST

• Written 2000 yrs ago- outdated
• not revelvant/ no guidance to modern day situations i.e. issues regarding IVF

FOR

• Outlines the core believes of christianity- essential to faith
• Unites all christians in sharing common beliefs 
• Helps understand teachings 

AGAINST

• Comes from the Bible- without the bible, it would not exist

FOR 

• Magistirium was responsible in deciding which books were acceptable in Bible
• Interpretates the Bible and applies it to modern day situations
• Guides christians to making good faith decisions
• Ensures key church beliefs are not changed
• Helps unite catholics all over the world
• Gives clear guidlined to help modern day christians

AGAINST

• Bias- still humans interpretations
• Interpretations are based on the Bible 
• The Bible and the Magisterium cannot be seperated