Chapter 4 The Nature of the Church
Revelation is the truths of faith which God has made known to us through Scripture and Tradition. God revealed Himself and His teaching to man because we could not have discovered these truths on our own. These truths include the most important mysteries of our faith. Among them are the Trinity, the incarnation, and the Eucharist. Picture: Icon of the Trinity. Eastern art represents the trinity by 3 angel looking figures. Icon is a certain type of art used many in the east.
The Word of God is inspired by God and has been communicated to us in two ways: Sacred Scripture: the word of God put down in writing under the breath of the Holy Spirit. (completed with the death of St. John) -- Sacred Tradition: the entirety of the Word of God entrusted to the apostles by Christ and the Holy Spirit. Picture: Moses and the Ten Commandments, written by the hand of God. Scripture includes both Old and New Testament.
2 Thes. 2:15 Hold fast to traditions taught by oral statement and written letter
Apostolic Fathers are people who were personally taught by the apostles. Their teachings contain clarification of some of Jesus’ teachings not found in the New Testament. The Word of God is entrusted to the teaching Church, called the Magisterium the Pope and bishops in union with him, to safeguard and faithfully transmit to God’s people This includes, saints, Church Fathers, Popes, Doctors of the Church
In the early Church there was some confusion over some teachings, so they turned to the Teaching Church for clarification. Picture: Michelangelo The disputation of the Eucharist. Different people arguing over the meaning of the Eucharist
The Magisterium gather together in an ecumenical council The Magisterium gather together in an ecumenical council. This has certain requirements: All the bishops are invited Most of the bishops actually attend The Pope has the last word, and if any of the bishops are not in union with him, they have no authority Picture Vatican II at St. Peters in Rome Vatican II