Authority is exercised in many ways and forms in the Catholic Church today. By What Authority? offers a helpful introduction to the forms of Church authority that are concerned with authentic Christian belief. Gaillardetz explains what it means to say that the Bible is inspired, how Scripture and tradition are related to one another, the role of the Pope and bishops in preserving the Christian faith, the levels of Church teaching authority, how to deal with disagreements with Church teaching, the distinctive role of the theologians, and the contribution of all the baptized in the formation of Church teaching. This book introduces readers to a basic understanding of the nature and exercise of authority in the Catholic Church as understood within the vision of the Church offered by the Second Vatican Council. The chapters conclude by outlining disputed issues regarding the topic of that chapter and a select list of opportunities for further reading. Chapters in Part One: The Authority of Scripture and Tradition are ?What Does It Mean to Say the Bible is Inspired?? ?What Is the Canon of the Bible?? and ?What Is the Relationship Between Scripture and Tradition?? Chapters in Part Two: The Authority of Church Teaching and the Church?s Teaching Office are ?How Do We Understand the Magisterium Today?? ?How Do the Pope and Bishops Exercise Their Teaching Authority?? and ?What Is Dogma and Doctrine?? Chapters in Part Three: The Authority of the Believer and the Believing Community are ?What Is the Sense of the Faithful?? ?Is There a Place for Disagreement in the Catholic Church?? and ?What Is the Proper Relationship Between the Magisterium and Theologians???In straightforward and generally non-technical language, it treats various aspects of authority that pertain to the teachings of the Catholic Church in a clear and helpful way for anyone who desires a deeper understanding of what authoritative teaching entails.? New Theology Review?Will Rogers said, ?We?re all educated, only its about different things.? This sage observation came to mind as I read By What Authority? Many well educated, even professional, Catholics retain a somewhat elementary knowledge of Catholic belief and teaching. This book is a lucid, balanced guide for the interested inquirer on such complex questions as the sense of the faithful, the role of theologians and church authority, and the various levels of church teaching. A great contribution, this book should be widely read.? Most Rev. John R. Quinn Archbishop Emeritus of San Francisco?Gaillardetz has emerged as one of the few true authorities on the authority of the Catholic Church. By some miracle he has managed to balance not only tradition and development, but also first-rate theology with wide accessibility. I will use this as a text in my course on the Church.? Dennis M. Doyle Religious Studies University of Dayton?Richard Gaillardetz has earned a reputation as a leading authority on the theology of the magisterium. Taking his point of departure from Vatican II?s teaching on divine revelation, he shows how revelation is mediated symbolically through the stories and traditions of God?s people. His book guides the reader skillfully through difficult questions such as the nature of biblical inspiration, the gradual emergence of the canon, the relation between Scripture and tradition, the authority of the Church?s teaching office as well as that of the believing community. A chapter asking if there is a place for ?disagreement? in the Catholic Church is particularly wise. Written with an admirable clarity and simplicity, his book is honest, timely, and deeply Catholic.? Thomas P. Rausch, S.J. T. Marie Chilton Professor of Catholic Theology Loyola Marymount University?Gaillardetz sets himself the task of synthesizing and presenting in an accessible manner the theological work on revelation and church teaching authority appearing since Vatican II. He succeeds in a remarkably clear and engaging way.? Pastoral Music?This work is a great resource for those interested in understanding the several sources and practical uses of authority within contemporary Catholicism.? Catholic Books Review?Gaillardetz?s book is written as an honest and charitable presentation of the current teaching of the hierarchical magisterium, with a respectful treatment of the authority of sovereign conscience for each and all believers. . . . This book will whet your appetite to re-read these sacred texts with renewed interest.? America?Writing in the spirit of the Second Vatican Council, Gaillardetz focuses on the exercise of authority as it is oriented toward Christian belief; that is, the authoritative relationships concerned with the Bible, tradition, popes and bishops, creeds and doctrine, theologians, and all the faithful.? New Testament Abstracts?Anyone who wants a teachable, balanced, lucid, yet comprehensive text on authority in the church need look no further.? Church?Respected Catholic theologian Richard Gaillardetz takes up important topics that are too often neglected in modern biblical studies and theology. Drawing on the teachings of the Second Vatican Council and the full spectrum of Catholic tradition, he provides the lay reader with clear explanations of such issues as revelation, biblical inspiration and inerrancy, the authority of the biblical canon, the relationship of Scripture and tradition, the authority of the magsterium and other levels of Church teaching, the role of dissent, and the sensum fidelium. Just to name this list of contents is to signal the importance of a solid and reliable exposition such as this.? The Bible Today?. . .it treats various aspects of authority that pertain to the teachings of the Catholic Church in a clear and helpful way. I recommend By What Authority? for the audiences intended by the author, as well as for anyone who desires a deeper understanding of what authoritative teaching entails.? New Theology Review