26. What is the Canon?

The canon is the rule or standard that the Church has defined for the books which she considers to be divinely inspired by the Holy Spirit.  This was necessary because there were more people who put their experience of Revelation into writing than those whose works we venerate as Scripture.

25. Who gave us the Canon of Scriptures?

The canon of Scriptures was determined at the Council of Trent.  At that council, it was determined that the Church was have as their canon the books contained within the Septuagint, which was the Greek translation of the Bible — the gold standard at the time, and the one which is quoted in the New Testament.

24. In what way do we say the Scriptures are inspired? Divine dictation?

“To compose the sacred books, God chose certain men who, all the while he employed them in this task, made full use of their own faculties and powers so that, though he acted in them and by them, it was as true authors that they consigned to writing whatever he wanted written, and no more.”  (DV 11)

Scriptures were therefore not divine dictation, but rather penned under the breath of the Holy Spirit.  Unifying all the various genres of the books of the Bible is the Holy Spirit.

23. Explain the inerrancy of the Scriptures

The Scriptures are free from any error and accurately convey the Truth as God intended.

“Since therefore all that the inspired authors or sacred writers affirm should be regarded as affirmed by the Holy Spirit, we must acknowledge that the books of Scripture firmly, faithfully and without error teach that truth with God, for the sake of our salvation, wished to see confided to the Sacred Scriptures.”  (DV 11)

The Scriptures flawlessly tell us who God/Jesus is.  THAT is the purpose of the text (not a science or history text).  Therein is the inerrancy.  This is our interest as theologians.

22. Explain how the text of the scriptures was put together

The Scriptures first began in oral tradition.  At some point, human authors were inspired by the Holy Spirit to write down these teachings.  Though they were authentically authored by the human authors, the Word was put into writing exactly as God intended.  The Church then discern which books were inspired and include them in the “canon” of Scriptures.

21. Be able to distinguish between Tradition vs. traditions

When we speak of the Sacred Tradition, we are speaking of Divine Revelation as it is continually handed on in a living way through the Church.

“traditions” = ecclesial traditions, e.g. the language (Latin or English) used during Mass.  While the Church may speak authoritatively on these, they do not have the same eternal importance as teachings which are considered to be divinely revealed.

20. Relationship between Scripture and Tradition

Both Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition have the same source — Divine Revelation — but are two distinct modes of handing it on.  Thus, they cannot be contradictory.  They both make up the deposit of faith.

19. Be able to define: Apostolic Succession, Deposit of Faith, Magisterium

Apostolic Succession:  The passing on of the office of bishop from the Apostles to bishops, and from them to other bishops down each generation

Deposit of Faith:  The heritage of faith contained in the Sacred Scripture and Tradition, handed on in the Church from the time of the Apostles; Everything that we hold to be true

Magisterium:  The teaching office of the Church

18. What are the two main sources of Divine Revelation?

Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition

17. Be able to distinguish between Private vs. Public Revelation

Private Revelation:  God’s intimate self disclosures that He makes to all those who seek Him through prayer and holiness.  These can be overseen by a spiritual director.  God speaks to each of us.  We cannot deny the efficacy of grace in our own hearts.

Public Revelation:  The eternal and unchanging Word of God that He speaks to His People through words and deeds in the living Church.  Meant for everyone for all time, and is safeguarded and expounded upon by the Church.