A Study of The Foundational Doctrines of The Catholic Church

2. A Study of The Foundational Doctrines of The Catholic Church

3. The Authority of Councils • A Council is the assembly of Bishops, called together by the Pope, and presided over by him or his legate, to decide questions of faith, morals, or discipline for the Church. (Advanced Catechism of Catholic Faith and Practice, Rev. Thomas J. O’Brien, 1922, p. 235)

4. The Authority of Councils • There are General or Ecumenical councils; National or Plenary councils; Provincial councils; and Diocesan councils, or synods. The decrees of General councils, approved by the Pope, are infallible in matters pertaining to faith and morals. • (Advanced Catechism of Catholic Faith and Practice, Rev. Thomas J. O’Brien, 1922, p. 235)

5. The Authority of Councils • “When he saw that the dispute was not to be settled so easily Constantine called a council of the whole church, the first ‘ecumenical’ general council, at Nicaea in 325. • (The History of Christianity, Richard Todd, p. 133. Eerdman’s 1977)

6. The Authority of Councils • The Emperor himself presided over the critical session, and it was he who proposed the reconciling word, homoousios (Greek for ‘of one essence’), to describe Christ’s relationship to Father.” • (The History of Christianity, Richard Todd, p. 133. Eerdman’s 1977)

7. The Authority of Councils • “A creed is a summary of the principal articles of faith. • “With the spread of Christianity various erroneous teachings regarding the doctrines of faith were proclaimed. It thus became necessary to define the truths of revelation more explicitly.” (The Revised Baltimore Catechism, Rev. Francis J. Connell. pp.7-8, 1949)

8. The Authority of Councils • Acts 15:4 And when they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders; and they reported all things that God had done with them. • Acts 15:6 Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter.

9. The Authority of Councils • Acts 15:23 They wrote this, letter by them: The apostles, the elders, and the brethren, To the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings. • Acts 15:28-29 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things:

10. The Apostles Creed • I believe in God almighty (the Father almighty) • And in Christ Jesus, his only Son, our Lord • Who was born of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary • Who was crucified under Pontius Pilate and was buried • And the third day rose from the dead

11. The Apostles Creed • Who ascended into heaven • And sits on the right hand of the Father • Whence he comes to judge the living and the dead. • And in the Holy Ghost • The Holy Church • The remission of sins • The resurrection of the flesh • The life everlasting

12. The Authority of Tradition • Holy Scripture and Tradition are sources whence the Church derives the truths that God has revealed to man. • (Advanced Catechism of Catholic Faith and Practice, Rev. Thomas J. O’Brien, 1922, p. 231)

13. The Authority of Tradition • Tradition consists of the truths of divine revelation make known by Jesus Christ to the Apostles, and handed down to us, (1) in the writings of the Fathers and Doctors of the Church; (2) in the decrees of Councils; and (3) in the Creeds and prayers of the Church. • (Advanced Catechism of Catholic Faith and Practice, Rev. Thomas J. O’Brien, 1922, p. 233)

14. The Authority of Tradition • in the Scripture and handed down by the bishops of the church constituted the church’s final authority. No other writings, synods, councils, or bishops could assert another or new authority.” • (What Christians Believe, A Biblical & Historical Summary, Summary ofthe Council of Carthage 397 AD. Alan Johnson, 1984, p. 39)

15. The Authority of Tradition • Thus we may think of the ancient church as holding to the ultimate authority of the Scripture while it honored both the creeds as summaries of Scripture and the writings of the Fathers as expositions of Scripture.” • (What Christians Believe, A Biblical & Historical Summary, Summary of the Council of Carthage 397 AD. Alan Johnson, 1984, p. 39)

16. The Authority of Tradition • “Limits are still fluid, and some writings outside the Canon as such, share in the inspirational power of Holy Scripture.” • (Hugh of St. Victor, (1096-1141 AD) De Scripture et scriptoribus, ch. 6, pl 175, 15-16,)

17. The Authority of Tradition • “Its proper authorities are those of canonical Scripture, and these it applied with convincing force. It has other proper authorities, the doctors of the church, and these it looks to as its own, but for arguments that carry no more than probability.” • (Thomas Aquinas, (1225-1274 AD) Summa Theologiae, V.I. OL, ART 8)

18. The Authority of Tradition • “What would happen if the church and the Scripture disagree?” • (Henry of Ghent, (1293 AD), Commentary on the Sentences, ART. 10, Q1.)

19. The Authority of Tradition • “In the decree concerning the canonical Scriptures,” on April 8, 1546,the Catholic church affirmed that Christian truth is to be found “in the written books and the unwritten traditions.” • (John Leith, Creeds of the Christian Church, The Council of Trent, p. 402, 1963)

20. The Authority of Tradition • Matthew 15:3-6 He answered and said to them, "Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition? • Matthew 15:6-Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition.

21. The Authority of Tradition • Matthew 15:9 And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.‘ • Colossians 2:8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.