What Is The Magisterium? An Interview with Ken Litchfield

Catholic apologist Ken Litchfield recently joined me to discuss the Magisterium. Ken takes us on a journey from Genesis thru Revelation to show its biblical roots. He also shows us how it operated in the early days of the church. It is a very interesting episode.

What Is The Magisterium?

The Magisterium is something that is often misunderstood.  To be fair there are many Catholics that have some misconceptions about is.  The Catechism of the Catholic Church in paragraph 100 states, “The task of interpreting the Word of God authentically has been entrusted solely to the Magisterium of the Church, that is, to the Pope and to the bishops in communion with him.”  How does the Church do this?  What is the Biblical basis?  Is this something that was done in the earliest days of the church?  These are all questions that Ken goes over in great detail.

Interview About The Magisterium

To listen to the audio version click here.

Check Out Ken’s Book

Ken has written a great book titled “How Old Is Your Church?  An Introductory Guide To Catholic Apologetics” that I encourage you to check out.  The following is the Amazon description:

This book is an introductory guide to the Catholic Faith. It is great guide for new Catholics, fallen away Catholics and cradle Catholics. It would be very useful supplement for a confirmation class or an RCIA class.This book explains what the Catholic Church teaches in plain language for the regular pew sitter. It explains the Old Testament Jewish roots of Catholic teachings and the New Testament references for Catholic teachings. As a bonus I provide quotes from early Christian teachers that give the Catholic interpretation of the Old and New Testaments before 500AD. The book is laid out to take a person from pagan to Catholic in 100 pages or an individual chapter can be read on its own. This book is a first step into the field of Catholic Apologetics with plenty of references for further study.

Saint Quotes

The Church is that one wherein the true word of God is preached, which Christ left to His Apostles, which the same Church hath always observed, the doctors preached, and Martyrs and confessors witnessed. This is the Church I believe to be true. – St. Margaret Clitherow

He who does not embrace the teaching of the Church does not have the habit of faith. –St. Thomas Aquinas

The definitions of the Church are the rules of true faith. –St. Alphonsus Maria Liguori

The Church is the Ship outside which it is impossible to understand the Divine Word, for Jesus spoke from the boat to the people gathered on the shore. –St. Hilary of Poitiers

The Church is a virgin, the bride of one Spouse, Who is Christ, and this Church does not allow herself to be violated by any error; so that, throughout the whole world there may be for us one uncorruptedness of a single chaste communion. –Pope St. Leo the Great

Thanks for checking out this entry.  God bless you.