By What Authority?: A Primer on Scripture, the Magisterium, and the Sense of the Faithful

by Richard R. Gaillardetz

Book Overview

Few topics are as important, or as controversial, as the proper role and exercise of authority in the Roman Catholic Church. Inspired by Pope Francis's bold rereading and determined implementation of... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0814628729
• ISBN13: 9780814628720
• Release Date: August 2003
• Publisher: Liturgical Press
• Length: 156 Pages
• Weight: 0.66 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.9" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

A Concise, Excellent Work on a Very Difficult Topic

This book is a rather brief overview of the sources of Catholic teachings, and discussions of Church authority on various levels. For example, it discusses the differences between the infallible extraordinary papal magisterium (i.e. ex cathedra statements) and other forms of infallible authority, and fallible forms of authority. It also discusses the difficulties in determining what particular Catholic teaching falls under which category. For example, without taking a side, the author shows how the Vatican's teaching prohibiting the ordination of women is disputed in terms of its level of authority. Contrary to what some right-wing Catholics assert, Church teaching is not always black and white, as this book adeptly shows. The author also discusses the ways in which Vatican II changed how Catholics view Church authority, at least in theory. Overall, this is a good book for Catholics trying to navigate the minefield of Catholic teachings and the amount of authority each one may carry. It will help Catholics defend themselves from typical accusations of "cafeteria Catholicism" or "relativism" from the Catholic religious right. It's concise enough to read relatively quickly, and isn't too complicated for a layman to understand. I'd highly recommend it!

Skilled handling of a complex subject

Richard Gaillardetz is one of the most perceptive and skilled theologians around, as well as being gifted with the ability to write in a simple and clear manner. I say this having read and used a number of his other publications in articles and teaching. This little book on the Magisterium is more evidence of that. He is faithful to the Magisterium while explaining it in a way that makes sense to anyone willing to read the material. This is a solid introductory presentation on the topic of the Magisterium that can be used for undergraduate theology students or interested general readers.

Should be obligatory reading for RCIA & Confirmation classes

This is a fabulous book that presents challenging topics in easily digestible chapters. Each chapter concludes with a list of ideas realted to the chapters that are currently being debated, with perspetives from both sides of the debate, and a list of further reading sources. Thank you Richard Gaillardetz for fleshing out principles and entities, which to me always seemed nebulous. It is easier to respect and feel that I belong to a community of the faithful, when I possess a better definition of the the government of the faithful and my obligations as a member of such a community. Gaillardetz traces the history of authority as it has been articulated by the Chruch. He looks at the orgin of Scripture as a source, and the bodies that have always claimed to protect Scripture. He presents a concrete skeleton of the magisterium, and differentiates between the many different sources of teachings presented form the Church's offices, and which are more binding than others, and in what terms. I thought the chapter on the role of an individual's conscience in accepting the churchs' ruling on issues which were not given as infallible teachings was most valuable. Gaillardetz outlines the importance of distinguishing the reasons for disagreement and how to discern whether they are motivated from issues with authority in general, weeknesses on the behalf of the individual, or a pure difference in moral interpretation. In concordance with the Catholic Catechism he advises that we are ultimately the ones who suffer the most of we commit immoral acts, and we must follow our conscience when it is speaking to us on morality. This is solid Catholic teaching, contrary to what a reviewer noted below, and something that more should be written about, to countreact the tendency for those who follow their conscience as being derisively called "cafeteria Catholics." Rather than present theology as a static monolithic institution, Gaillardetz presents it as a dialogue between the entire living church; not just the exclusive domain of the hierarchical clergy. His perspective is refreshing, and uplifting. Hopefully many more works by him will follow.

An outstanding primer on an important subject!

This is a much needed book on the subject. It clearly explains the interrelationship between Scripture, the Magisterium (i.e., the Church's teaching office), and Tradition. The author methodically and painlessly guides the reader through a somewhat complicated subject, leaving him/her with a distinct sense of increased understanding. Simplified, but never simplistic. A must read for every Catholic, and interested Protestant alike.