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September 17, 2005
Ch. XXIV. Q. 133. What is the Church's Prophetic Office?
THE CHURCH'S Prophetic Office is (a.) to bear witness to the truth which has been revealed to her by her Head: (b.) to set forth and interpret the Sacred Scriptures: (c.) to drive away all erroneous and strange doctrines from her bounds:, (d.) to set forth explicit and authoritative phrases or dogmas, such as will afford the means of distinguishing between her Faith and every perversion of it (cf. Chap. II).1
2. As Christ came into the world to bear witness to the truth 2, so the Church must also proclaim it, and that with authority—the authority committed to her in the beginning (Qq. 10, 132). She must also take such measures as lie within her power and prerogative to maintain the truth—the Faith once for all delivered—and preserve the knowledge of it within her bounds until the end of the world.3
3. Accordingly she sets forth her canonical Scriptures, to be read continually in her services, as containing her Faith and as able to make those who accept that Faith " wise unto salvation." She declares their supernatural inspiration and profitableness for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God mdy be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.4 She does not give license to private interpretation, however, but herself sets forth and hands down the Faith and life which the Scriptures were inspired by the Holy Ghost to irradiate and confirm.5
4. She may not sanction or tolerate novel and heretical teaching on the part of those who are ordained to preach the Word, but must exclude obstinate heretics from her Ministry, and must determine by authoritative phrases the premises of permissible teaching and speculation (cf. Qq. 9: 10. 4, 5: 13).6
5. The truth which the Church is commissioned to teach is both doctrinal and moral; and includes the manner of life to which her members are called, as well as the supernatural facts which give significance and value to that life. Her prophetic authority pertains to every religions truth which is necessary to be known for salvation (Q. 12. 1).7
6. The Church's Prophetic Office was committed in the beginning to the Apostles and their successors (Q. 131, 132. 3). Therefore, the dogmatic authority of the Church resides primarily in the universal Episcopate, in which all the Ministerial powers of the Apostles are lodged.
1 Palmer on the Church, I. v. 1: III. iii, v: IV. i-ix: Moehler's Symbolism, §§ 38-42: Grueber's Church Militant, 4-13: Moberly's Bamp. Lec. Ill, IV: Forbes' 39 Arts. XIX-XXI.
2 S. John I. 14, 17: VIII. 13, 18: XIV. 6: XVIII. 37: Col. II. 3, 9: Rev. I. 5
3Forbes, XIX. 267, 268.
4 II. Tim. III. 15-17
5 II. Pet. I. 20, 21: I. Tim. III. 15. Palmer, III. iii, v: Schouppe, IV. I30-179: Moehler's Symbolism, 39-42: Forbes, VI. 98-102: Mason's Faith of the Gosp. VIII. 5-7.
6 Palmer, IV. i-ix: Forbes, VIIL 130-137: XIX. 270-277.
7 Palmer, I. v. 1.
Posted by Trevor at September 17, 2005 01:03 PM