1. Sources of Wisdom and Authority
Edexcel A Paper 1 – Unit 3
Sources of Wisdom and Authority

2. Greek word Biblia – meaning ‘the books’
Inspired by God
Catholic Bible – 73 books in total
46 in OT and 27 in the NT
The revealed word of God

3. NT OT The four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
The books of Law (first five books, given to Moses, known as the Torah for Jewish people)
The Prophets, e.g. Isaiah, Jeremiah. Also, History books such as Joshua and Judges
The Writings, Psalms, Proverbs, Song of Songs
The four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
The Acts of the Apostles
Epistles (letters)
One apocalyptic book

4. Interpretation of the Bible
Fundamentalist
These people believe that every word of the Bible is literally true and is the Word of God…e.g Six Day Creation
Therefore the Bible is not open to interpretation
Interpretation of the Bible
Liberal
The Bible was written by humans but inspired by God. Therefore some of the stories, or teachings may need reinterpreting in light of the modern world.

5. The Magisterium
The teaching office of the Church, from the Latin word ‘magister’ which means ‘teacher’.
Conciliar – when the Pope calls a general council, e.g. Second Vatican Council, to discuss and decide upon important issues.
Pontifical –When a matter cannot be decided by Bishops, the Pope can make a statement that settles the issue. When the Pope speaks authoritatively on an issue like this, it is called Papal infallibility.

6. Apostolic succession….

7. Topics which might be debated through the different sources of authority…

8. Second Vatican Council

9. DEI VERBUM (Word of God)
Divine revelation in the Bible and the tradition handed down from the Apostles
LUMEN GENTIUM (Light of Humanity)
Emphasised the role of all people in the Church
SACROSANCTUM CONCILIUM (The sacred council)
Simplified the mass, made it so mass could now be said in the language of whichever country it was said in (vernacular), made it easier for lay people to take part in mass
GAUDIUM ET SPES (Joy and hope)
The dignity of all people was affirmed in this document as well as their human rights
Concerns over morals and values

10. The Church as the Body of Christ
The people are the Body
The consecrated bread of Eucharist is the body
The people are the body as they are baptised into Christ
People of God

11. Why is it important? We carry on the work of Christ now…
We are united with each other as well as Christ…
Baptism is important as we join the Body of Christ

12. One Holy Catholic Apostolic United
One Lord, Jesus Christ
One faith, agreed in the creed
Holy
God made it, it belongs to him, therefore it’s holy
Christ gave his life to make it holy
Guided by the Holy Spirirt
Catholic
‘Universal’
Christianity is for the whole world
Apostolic
Founded by the Apostles
It teaches what the apostles taught
Bishops are the successors of the Apostles

13. Mary as a model of the Church
Discipleship = Mary obeyed God’s plan for her, she
Devoted herself to Jesus, she trusted in God
Faith and Charity = faith – she believed the Angel Gabriel, trusted God, charity – she was ready to give up her own life for what God required
Today = She is a role model for all Catholics,Hail Mary, Marian shrines such as Lourdes and Walsingham

14. Conscience
An inner feeling of the rightness or wrongness of an action
Given by God
Natural Law
St Augustine: “The natural law is nothing other than the light of understanding placed in us by God; through it we know what we must do and what we must not do”.
Jesus’ teachings
Golden Rule
Sermon on the Mount
Love God, Love neighbour
Church teachings
The Church can help us to understand out conscience or natural law. Through the magisterium we can gain a greater understanding of what God wants us to do or not to do.