Free Critical Thinking On Understanding The Roman Catholic Dogma

When it comes to religion, most people nowadays hate the idea of a dogmatic belief. If we turn back the time, many scholars and artists reacted on the dogmatic teachings of the Roman Catholic Church during the period of enlightenment. Some expressed these reactions in writings and some in artworks. The scholars in the 18th century started to question the hierarchy of truths that the church’s Magisterium is protecting. The age of enlightenment is also referred to as the age of reason. It was a big movement aimed at freeing the minds from its slavery from the teachings of the church. They even questioned the belief that the Magisterium is chosen by the Holy Spirit to spread Jesus’ teachings.
Faith however is a mystery because up to this day, the religious dogma is still alive. The Roman Catholic teachings about truths remained intact after many centuries. Some examples of this are the ten Great Commandments and the eight beatitudes. These are teachings according to the church are meant to last forever. The Magisterium which composes of the Pope and bishops has protected it very well. On the other hand, not all the teachings are of great importance for the global populace of Christians. Some are context specific. The Bishops of a diocese as explained in the presentation can draft a declaration that all the members must follow. However, these declarations should not contradict to the declarations of the higher magistrate. Also, the declaration shall not deviate with the basic truths. In other words, those in the magisterial positions of the Roman Catholic Church have the autonomy make the teachings appropriate in their specific context as long as the basic teachings or the highest truths are unchanged. The Magisterium is the instrument for the church to have their basic truth intact. They were designed to protect and uphold the dogmatic belief. They believe that Jesus’ teachings are the truth that should remain the only truth until His second coming.
Works CitedAge of Enlightenment. New World Encyclopedia. Dec. 2012. Web. 15 Oct. 2014.
The Infallibility of the Magisterium of the Catholic Church. Catholics United for the Faith. Dec. 2012. Web. 15 Oct. 2014
Most, William Fr. The Magisterium or Teaching Authority of the Church. The Basic Catholic Catechism. 1990. Web. 15 Oct. 2014.
Knight, Kevin. Tradition and Living Magisterium. New Advent. 2012. Web. 15 Oct. 2014.