Where did we get the Bible? |
| Excerpts taken from Beginning Apologetics
1: How to Explain and Defend the Catholic Faith, Chacon and Burnham The canon of the Bible was officially determined in the fourth century by Catholic councils and Catholic popes. Historically, the Catholic Church used her authority to determine which books belonged to the Bible and to assure us that everything in the Bible is inspired. Apart from the Church, we simply have no way of knowing either truth. In essence, the Bible is a Catholic book. The New Testament was written, copied, and collected by Catholic Christians. The Church with the authority to determine the infallible Word of God, must have the infallible authority and guidance of the Holy Spirit. To trust the Bible is to trust the authority of the Church which guarantees the Bible. (Beginning Apologetics 1, p. 12). |
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Sacred Tradition |
| Christ left a Church to teach, govern, and sanctify in His name until
the end of time. To reject that authority is to reject Christ and His
Gospel. We Catholics accept the Bible as an authority in matters of faith
because it is God's inspired Word. Thus Scripture tells us that Christ
left a Church with divine authority to govern in His name (Mt 16:13-20,
18:18, Lk 10:16) The Bible also tells us that Sacred Tradition is to
be followed alongside Sacred Scripture (2 Thess 2:15, 3:6). The Bible confirms that not everything Jesus said and did is recorded in Scripture (John 21:25) and that we must also hold fast to oral tradition, the preached Word of God (1 Cor 11:2; 1 Pet 1:25). 1 Tim 3:15 reassures us that the Church is "the pillar and foundation of truth." Chaos can reign as everyone interprets the document according to his whim. That is why it is important to follow the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church that has reigned for 2000 years. (Beginning Apologetics 1, p. 18). |
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