The Bible as a Source of Authority
For Christians the Bible is the word of God, but they do not all read it the same way. Learn what is inside the Bible, how Christians use it, and the different views on how much authority it holds.
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The Christian holy book
For Christians, the Bible is the most important source of wisdom and authority. Many call it the word of God. It shapes their worship, their beliefs and the way they try to live.
Inside the Bible
The Bible is a library of many books in two parts:
Two ways to read it
Christians hold different views on how to read the Bible.
Inspired words
Second Timothy 3:16 teaches that all scripture is...
- Inspired by God and useful for teaching
- Written by humans with no link to God
- Too old to be of any use today
- Meant to be kept secret from believers
Which part?
- Books of the Law
- Books of the Prophets
- The Gospels
- The Letters
- Teachings and commandments such as the Ten Commandments
- Messages calling people back to God
- Accounts of the life and teaching of Jesus
- Guidance written to the early Christian churches
The Bible and the Church
Christians differ on where authority sits. Roman Catholics teach that the Bible and the tradition of the Church together carry the word of God, guided by the teaching authority of the Church, as the document Dei Verbum explains. Many Protestants follow sola scriptura, meaning scripture alone is the highest authority.
Using the Bible
Which THREE are ways Christians use the Bible?
- Reading it aloud in worship
- Seeking moral guidance for decisions
- Finding comfort in times of trouble
- Predicting next week weather
- Choosing lottery numbers
Making a decision
Put the steps a Christian might follow to make a moral decision in order.
- They face a difficult moral choice
- They read what the Bible teaches about it
- They pray and reflect, using their conscience
- They seek advice from the Church or other Christians
- They make a decision and act on it
Two testaments, one Bible
The Bible has two parts: the Old _____ and the New Testament. Many Christians call it the _____ of God. A _____ Christian reads every word as exactly true, while others say it is _____ by God but written by people. Christians also use their _____ to help make moral decisions.
True or not?
Tap the TWO statements that are true about the Bible.
- The Bible is made up of the Old Testament and the New Testament.
- Some Christians read the Bible literally and others read it non-literally.
- All Christians agree the Bible must be read word for word.
- The Gospels are found in the Old Testament.
- The Bible plays no part in Christian worship.
Sources of authority
- The Bible
- Church tradition
- Conscience
- Jesus, the Word of God
- The written scriptures Christians treat as authoritative
- The teaching handed down through the Church
- The inner sense of right and wrong, guided by reason
- The living example Christians try to follow
Which source?
Match each Christian to the source of authority they rely on most.
- A Christian believes every word of the Bible is the literal word of God. Which view is this?
- A Catholic asks what the Church teaches as well as what the Bible says. Which source is this?
- When the Bible is unclear, a Christian follows their informed conscience. Which source is this?
Order of the Bible
Put these parts of the Bible in the order they appear.
- The Law, at the start of the Old Testament
- The Prophets, later in the Old Testament
- The Gospels, at the start of the New Testament
- The Letters to the early churches
- Revelation, at the very end
Explain the authority
Explain different Christian views on the authority of the Bible.
- Describe the Bible as the word of God
- Explain the literal, or fundamentalist, view
- Explain the non-literal view
- Explain how the Church or conscience can be a source of authority too