Why Authority

Without teaching, we are confused, which is why authority is necessary.

The necessity of authority in teaching is fundamental to maintaining unity and avoiding confusion in matters of doctrine and faith. Without a recognized authority, individuals are left to their subjective interpretations, which inevitably leads to contradictions and divergent teachings. This is why, logically, there must be an ultimate arbiter—whether it’s an individual or an institution—capable of definitively settling matters of doctrine. Without such authority, the result is a proliferation of conflicting beliefs, making it impossible to discern truth from error. Biblically, this role of authoritative teaching is evident in the way Christ entrusted His Apostles with guiding the Church, with Peter designated as the primary leader.

The Teaching Authority of The Church

In Matthew 16:18, Jesus establishes Peter as the foundation of His Church: "You are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my Church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it." This signifies a clear, divinely appointed authority vested in Peter and, by extension, the Apostles. Peter himself emphasized the importance of this authoritative teaching in 2 Peter 1:20–21, stating that no scripture is subject to personal interpretation, as prophecy comes from the Holy Spirit, not human impulse. He also warned of the dangers of unauthorized teachings, as false teachers would introduce heresies that could lead to destruction (2 Pet. 2:1).

Paul, too, reinforced the need for obedience to Apostolic tradition, urging believers to "stand firm and hold to the traditions" taught by the Apostles (2 Thess. 2:15) and to avoid those who reject this authority (2 Thess. 3:14–15). This scriptural foundation underscores the necessity of divinely established authority to preserve unity and truth in the Church.

The Church Sees What Christ Sees

The Church, through its teachings and traditions, sees the world as Christ sees the world, offering a divine lens through which human life, morality, and purpose are understood. This is grounded in the belief that the Church, as the Body of Christ, carries forward the mission and vision that Christ imparted to His Apostles. Without an authoritative body, however, this unified vision would quickly fracture. Individual interpretations of Christ's teachings would inevitably vary, leading to conflicting views on essential truths such as the nature of salvation, morality, and the sacraments.

An authoritative body, such as the Magisterium (the teaching authority of the Church), is essential to safeguard and preserve the truth revealed by Christ. It ensures that the Church’s understanding of the world remains consistent with Christ’s teachings and is not diluted by personal biases or cultural trends. Without this centralized authority, the unity of belief that Christ prayed for in John 17—"that they may be one, as we are one"—would be lost, leaving believers to their own subjective interpretations and leading to doctrinal confusion and division. Just as Christ entrusted His Apostles with authority to teach and guide, the Church continues to rely on this authority to provide clarity, direction, and a shared vision rooted in divine truth.