Questions tagged [authority]
Authority of God, the Bible, the Church, etc. For earthly authorities, consider [civil-government].
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How do traditional Christians defend the teaching that Paul is an authentic apostle?
I want to preface this by saying I don't believe Paul was a false Apostle. I must either view his Apostleship as authentic, or throw away everything I believe. Removing Paul's writings and influence ...
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How did the Crusades affect the Pope's power and authority?
How did the Crusades affect the Pope's power/authority, during and after the Crusades?
The Crusades, from Wikipedia
The Crusades were a series of religiously sanctioned military campaigns, called by ...
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How can Protestants authoritatively declare something wrong or heretical under Sola Scriptura?
Within Protestantism there is no universal definition of theology or how to understand the Bible: Anglicans have one definition, Lutherans another, Calvinists another, (insert name here), etc.
So ...
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What deuterocanonical books are quoted in the New Testament? [closed]
When talking with a Catholic friend (I'm a Protestant) about the apocrypha/deuterocanonical books, it occurred to me that a possible argument for their inclusion in the Canon would be their authority, ...
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Why does the Roman Catholic Church not hold to the perspicuity of Scripture?
From the very limited research that I've done thus far, it seems that the RCC does not hold to the perspicuity of Scripture. I'm not positive that this is true, though it seems to be.
The meaning of ...
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In Protestant churches, who is the authority in interpreting the Bible?
I need a better understanding of Protestant teaching on who has the authority to interpret Sacred Scripture.
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Why do Baptists believe in the autonomy of local congregations?
Why do Baptists reject the idea of a central authority and instead place authority in the local congregations? Does this have a biblical basis or is it a result of past conflict with authority figures?...
user23
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The Pope is resigning. How does a living pope confer his authority?
I read that Pope Benedict XVI is resigning. I don't know much about Catholic/papal authority as it relates to leading the Church, but as far as I can remember, a pope dies before another one takes the ...
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What is the doctrinal or Scriptural basis for a central Church authority?
As explained in a previous question, one Baptist Distinctive is the rejection of a central Church authority (whether an individual or a governing body). Instead, we hold fast to the autonomy of the ...
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What are the current views of the Catholic Church on the right to secession?
I’ve recently heard an interesting opinion that no entity has moral right to exercise authority upon any social group that is unwilling to remain under this authority (excluding inmates). Therefore, ...
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How does Pope Benedict XVI reconcile conscience and authority?
A recent talk by Father Bob Pierson 1 quoted Joseph Ratzinger (as he then was, now Pope Benedict XVI) as saying that the individual conscience must overrule ecclesiastical authority. I was intrigued ...
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What is "apostolic authority"?
Some Christian traditions use the term "apostolic authority". What is meant by this phrase? Does it have more than one meaning depending on which doctrinal tradition it is coming from? Are there any ...
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How comparable are the concepts of the Teaching Magisterium in the Catholic Church and the Jehovah's Witnesses view of their Watch Tower society?
Just how comparable is this particular aspect of each group's ecclesiology? If from an academic viewpoint there are marked similarities, is there an identifiable Jehovah's witness perspective on the ...
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What makes a Council's conclusions authoritative?
I was just reflecting on an answer to a question I recently asked, and began to wonder... How do we know the conclusions of a given Council were true? Are all findings by Christian Councils ...
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Why do Protestants trust what Paul and Luke wrote 100%?
This has always been a big question for me.
I can understand that many Christians believe there is good evidence for the resurrection of Jesus, and that gives a basis for their faith in the teaching ...
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What is the LDS line of authority should a Bishop be unavailable?
I am seeking a complete and authoritative explanation of this issue.
Who presides at Sacrament meeting (common Sunday services) when the bishop of a ward (pastor of a local congregation) is ...
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According to the Bible how does one receive the gift of the Holy Ghost? [closed]
Does one automatically receive the Holy Ghost after they accept Christ or does it have to be received through the laying on of hands as spoken of in Acts 8?
Acts 8:14 Now when the apostles which were ...
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Is a bishop in Roman Catholic tradition equal in authority with the apostles?
According to an answer to this question When did Peter become the first Pope, according to Roman Catholic doctrine?, the Pope is the bishop of Rome.
So this made me wonder - since Peter was ordained ...
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How does the Catholic Church respond to the claim that its authority to interpret scripture is based on circular reasoning?
I've heard the claim that scriptural references to the establishment of the Catholic Church and its authority to interpret scripture is circular reasoning.
From a conversation I was having with a ...
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How do we resolve the issue with the circular argument that the Bible is the basis for its own authority? [closed]
This is a continuation from the previous question, "Why is the Bible a foundation of theological evidence?"
But this time I'd like the question to focus on the issue of what looks like a circular ...
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According to Evangelicals, who now has the authority to bind and loose (per Matt. 18:18)?
According to Matt. 18:18, the Lord Jesus Christ gave the apostles the authority to bind and loose, that is, to prohibit and permit.
Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be ...
user900
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What is the LDS Law of Common Consent and why is it important?
The LDS Church is perhaps unique in the idea that instruction and change within the Church isn't simply automatic — that Church leaders can't simply do what they want. This doctrine is embodied ...
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Is the Catechism of the Catholic Church considered scripture?
Is the Catechism of the Catholic Church considered scripture? Does it have the same authority as the Bible? If not, what is its place in the church? Is it considered heresy to preach or believe ...
user23
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How much authority does a father have over his wife and children? [closed]
Some people might claim that a wife must do what her husband says in every situation and they will site the Bible as it being the Divine order of things.
It does seem that the Bible gives authority ...
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Why is the matter of women's authority determined by Eve's acts in her life?
1st Timothy 2:12-14 (NIV):
I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man;
she must be quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was
not the one deceived; it was ...
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What doctrines are based on 1st Timothy 4:14 when hands are laid on a believer?
In 1st Timothy 4:14 (Recovery Version) some elders laid hands on Timothy:
Do not neglect the gift which is in you, which was given to you by means of prophecy with the laying on of hands of the ...
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Do any denominations rank the apostles?
Many Christian denominations hold the primacy of Peter as doctrine. That is, they believe that Peter was the most prominent, authoritative, influential, and/or prestigious of the twelve apostles. ...
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How do those against the traditional monepiscopacy deal with Ignatius of Antioch?
It's often claimed that 'Ignatius is the first to believe in the monepiscopacy' (that a bishop runs a church region with the assistance of presbyters/elders) or that 'churches were simply run by a ...
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Does specific authorship of a given book of the Bible "matter"? [closed]
Based on a variety of previous questions, it seems that specific authorship of many parts of the Bible are not known for sure.
For example (though I realize there are traditions of who wrote what):
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If Christ Has Been Given All Authority Why Does He Need to Make Intercession For Us?
The bible tells us both that Jesus has been given all authority but he also is ever making intercession for us with God the Father.
Has there ever been any theological explanation by anyone on why ...
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Protestant Interpretation of John 20:23 in Light of Matthew 9:8?
How is:
John 20:21-23
Εἶπεν οὖν αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς πάλιν Εἰρήνη ὑμῖν καθὼς ἀπέσταλκέν με ὁ Πατήρ, κἀγὼ πέμπω ὑμᾶς καὶ τοῦτο εἰπὼν ἐνεφύσησεν καὶ λέγει αὐτοῖς Λάβετε Πνεῦμα Ἅγιον ἄν τινων ἀφῆτε τὰς ...
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Why did Jesus submit to the authority of God while Jesus was a man?
The Bible tells us that Jesus emptied himself and set aside his heavenly glory and submitted himself to the will of his Father (God).
In order to do the will of his Father (God) who sent him, and to ...
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On the Etymology of the Term "Magisterium" in the Catholic Church
Regarding the Magisterium of the Catholic Church, the U.S. Cardinal Burke said:
The "magisterium" is a somewhat recent theological term, and what it refers to is the duty of the Church to ...
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Do Pentecostals disagree with women preaching?
On whether or not women can be preachers, know several who disagree: Voddie Bauchman, John MacArthur, Norman Geisler, John Pipper, Albert Mohler, Yago Martins (from "Dois Dedos de Teologia"),...
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Has Protestantism relegated the scripture to be the 'Subordinate Standard'?
It was very necessary for the early church to stand against doctrinal errors, such as Arianism and Sabellianism but, in the doing so, some chose to state a creed (the Athanasian Creed), rather than ...
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If the name of God and His Son are so important to the faith, then would it not be imperative that we use the proper name?
In order to appropriately answer the question, in my opinion there are few things to consider.
First, there are those that have argued that the pronunciation of the name is not important and is ...
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How can I trample on snakes and scorpions?
I was reading Luke 10:19
Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
and I said to myself: &...
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Had Jesus formally been given authority to preach in the synagogue?
At Luke 4:16-17 we read:
" When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet ...
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Does the Catholic Church have to submit to an approved private revelation?
...Hence, public revelation is the deposit of faith and rule of faith
and must be lived by all Catholics.[14] Saint Thomas Aquinas taught
that all public revelation ended with the death of Saint ...
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St.Thomas Aquinas on Papacy
What are the writings of St.Thomas Aquinas on papacy and church authority?
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Church Fathers on the Authority of Ecumenical Councils
This post is somewhat related to On the End of the Patristic Era as Considered by the Catholic Church
The First Ecumenical Council of the Catholic Church was the Council of Nicea in 325.
Did any of ...
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St. Peter Speaking on Behalf of All the Apostles [closed]
Consider:
(1) Jesus saith to them: But whom do you say that I am? Simon Peter answered and said: Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God. (Matt. 16:15-16.) (Italics added.)
(2) Then Jesus said to ...
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What are the major arguments Protestants use against both Catholic and Orthodox claims of authority re scriptural interpretation?
The Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church both claim authority re scriptural interpretation. They are different organizations, and Protestants reject the claims of authority by both.
Are there any ...
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How is 1 Corinthians 1:10-13 understood by proponents of the primacy of Peter?
Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind ...
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Assimilation of "Bind and Loose" with "Teaching Authority" by the Catholic Church
This question is somewhat related to another question: Connections Between "Gates of Hell" and Heresies from a Catholic Standpoint
In Fr. William Most's article Which Church Saves? he writes ...
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Theologians who compared the tripartite division of civil authority to the Trinity?
Pope Pius XI, encyclical Quas primas (1925) instituting the feast of Christ the King, says that the "lordship of Christ […] consists […] in a threefold [tripartite] power which is essential to ...
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Who gave JC authority? [closed]
God is the source of all authority by definition. Then what is meant by Matthew 28:18?
KJV:
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
RSV:
And ...
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Does the Bible tell us who should be interpreting its message? [closed]
Is there a passage in the Bible which tells us who should interpret the Bible? I know there are many interpretations/translations of the Bible already. Maybe I can get a better understanding from the ...
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How is it possible to have a high view of the authority of the Bible and a positive view of textual criticism?
I know not all people will have the view that is programmed into the question. But for someone who does, or who understands someone who does, how would you answer this?
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According to the Catholic Church, in Luke 10:19 what kind of authority & power Jesus had given the Apostles & Disciples?
What I'm looking for:
Scriptures said
'See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and
over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will harm you. Nevertheless,
do not ...
