1. Authority of the Church vs. Scripture Alone

2. Where's That in the Bible? PThe Problem <Why do you believe ______?  Where = s that in the Bible? <Difference in World-View of Revelation PThe Challenge <To know the Catholic World-View <To defend the authority of the Catholic Church <To know the Biblical foundations of our beliefs <Be able to help others to see that our faith is reasonable, biblical, and desirable

3. Catholic View of Revelation PThe Reality of Revelation: Why? PGod reveals Himself in Stages PFullness of Revelation in Jesus Christ <""In many and various ways God spoke of old to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son. (Heb. 1:1-2)" Christ, the Son of God made man, is the Father's one, perfect and unsurpassable Word. In him he has said everything; there will be no other word than this one." (CCC #65) PQuestion: Where is this Treasure today? How is it passed on to us?

4. Apostolic Authority Jesus’ Mission - Sent by the Father The Word became flesh to reveal the Father, redeem humanity, give the ability to become adopted children of God, and send the His Holy Spirit (1 John 4:9-10, 2 Peter 1:4). Jesus shares His mission & authority with the Apostles “And he appointed twelve, to be with him, and to be sent out to preach and have authority to cast out demons...” (Mark 3:14-15) “Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you." (John 20:21) “He who hears you hears me, and he who rejects you rejects me, and he who rejects me rejects him who sent me.” (Luke 10:16) Jesus gives the Apostles power of binding & loosening To Peter - “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:19) To the Apostles - “Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 18:17)

5. Apostolic Authority The Holy Spirit is sent to Apostles to keep the faith “These things I have spoken to you, while I am still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you” (John 14:25-26) “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” (John 16:13) The Apostles speak with the authority of the Holy Spirit “For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things...”(Acts 15:28) see also Acts 5:1-10 “As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance the decisions which had been reached by the apostles and elders who were at Jerusalem.” (Acts 16:4) The Church is the Ark preserving Christ’s Revelation “the church of the living God, the pillar and bulwark of the truth.” (1 Timothy 3:15)

6. The Transmission of Revelation PJesus preached the Gospel & fulfilled it by His life, death, and resurrection PJesus entrusted that Gospel to the apostles PThis fullness of revelation was handed in two modes <In writings - the Old Testament <Oral Tradition - all that Christ taught and the Holy Spirit revealed PThese two modes were infallibly protected by the Holy Spirit from error. (John 16:13-14 & 14:26) PThis ministry of teaching & guarding the faith was passed on to their sucessors: the pope & bishops PThere is reason for great confidence in our faith!

7. The Three Pillars PScripture PTradition PMagisterium

8. Sola Scriptura: By What Authority?  Sola Scriptura: Latin for A only scripture @ <vs. Catholic two fonts: Scripture and Tradition PThe key difference in authority PWhere is 'sola scriptura' in the Bible? It isn't. PWARNING <this is a foundational Protestant position and should not be attacked lightly <don't strike someone's foundation unless you are prepared to go the distance and help them rebuild the house

9. Sacred Tradition PDoesn't Jesus condemn traditions? PDistinction between human traditions and sacred tradition from God P1 Cor 11:2 P2 Thess 2:15 P2 Thess 3:6 PJesus vs. Paul?!

10. Sola Scriptura: Main Verses  2 Timothy 3:16-17 B A All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. @  Revelation 22:18-19 B A I warn every one who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if any one adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if any one 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. @

11. The Bible: How It Came To Be PNot a single work, but a collection of texts: histories, poetry, songs, genealogies, law books, letters, biographies, etc) Pthe Apocrypha: Paul's Bible PMany texts to choose from: which ones? PEarly canons (lists) PThe Fathers of the Church PCouncil of Laodicia, 360 AD PPope St. Damasus, Decree of 382 AD Pmore councils PSt. Augustine PCouncil of Florence PCouncil of Trent