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

Authority is exercised in many ways and forms in the Catholic Church today. By What Authority? offers a helpful introduction to these forms of Church authority that are concerned with authentic Christian belief. It 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.

Richard R. Gaillardetz is the Margaret and Thomas Murray and James J. Bacik Professor of Catholic Studies at the University of Toledo in Ohio.