Magisterium Tradition Analysis

Within Congar’s Meaning of Tradition, the role the Magisterium has in church tradition goes beyond simply making decisions about scripture. According to Congar the Magisterium is a pivotal part of Church tradition because they abide by the apostolic nature of church tradition. Although scripture is not necessary for tradition, passing down scripture and tradition like the church fathers is necessary to maintaining church tradition.

The Catechism outlines the duties of the Magisterium, which is comprised of the responsibility to relay the scriptures to the faithful. The Magisterium chooses which scriptures and traditions are authentic through the Holy Spirit’s inspiration. Through the Holy Spirit’s inspiration the Magisterium is then able to …show more content…
John Paul II’s encyclical Veritatis Splendor corroborate the descriptions of the Magisterium provided by the Catechism and Congar. The role of the Magisterium is to lead the faithful by scrutinizing and authenticating new theological approaches to interpreting scripture.

The Magisterium, like the apostolic fathers before them relate the teachings of scripture to the people. The Magisterium is a conduit for which the Word comes from God to the People. Amongst this responsibility, the Magisterium must also authenticate scriptural interpretation in order to protect the faithful from heresies.

This quote agrees with Congar’s description of the role of the Magisterium. According to the Catechism, the role of the Magisterium is to protect the faithful from any heresies or sacrilege by providing the Catholic community with scriptural interpretations for the changing political and social climates.

This quote explicitly states that due to the apostolic tradition the teachings of the Magisterium are infallible because they are God’s chosen successors of St. Peter. Thus, this infallibility assumes that any decision made by the magistrate to protect the faithful should be adhered …show more content…
John Paul II, states that the role of the Magisterium is to promote morality according to the church teachings passed down from God to the apostles and their eventual successors. This infallibility associated with the Magisterium assumes that their teachings on social controversies, such as euthanasia and abortion are authentic because God and the Church’s tradition because it adheres to earlier teachings passed down from the Church Fathers.

Within Congar’s The Meaning of Tradition, Christ and the Holy Spirit play a big role in the creation of Church tradition. The Holy Spirit imbues the Magisterium with the inspiration to write scripture. Inspiration through the Holy Spirit is seen throughout the Old Testament with the prophets and within the writings of the New Testament.

The course readings and lectures speak to the authenticity of divine works. Accepted scriptures and papal documents are developed with the guidance of Christ’s revelation and the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit has inspired all of the accepted works and scriptures the Catholic Church