Christians use the Bible, the Church’s teaching and conscience to help them make decisions about personal moral issues. Define each of these terms. Explain why Christians should use each of them.

   The Church has a teaching role. The Church’s responsibility was given to it by Jesus, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations.” Christians use the Church for help as it passes on the word of God. Bishops come together to discuss Christian beliefs ‘extraordinary magisterium’ they need to make sure that any statements made are correct as many people totally follow their words. Although the Church does teach certain ideas, Catholics continue to discuss certain issues of the faith. This is for the reason that all Christians teach their role to others in the way they live their lives.

    Conscience is when individuals use their own judgement to come to a decision from analysis, thoughts and personal experience. It is important that Christians use their conscience to make decisions about personal morals because many believe this is how God communicates with that person, it is his voice demonstrating the true course they should take. Catechism of the Catholic Church states, ‘A well-formed conscience is upright and truthful. It formulates its judgements according to reason, in conformity with the true good willed by the wisdom of the Creator. Everyone must avail himself of the means to form his conscience’ Therefore, Christians should work hard to form their conscience properly so that they will come up with the right answer to decisions they have to make.

   On the whole, Christians should use The Bible, The Church and their conscience to make decisions. The Bible can give a direct answer, or one can look for principles in the Bible that can be applied to the issue they are examining. The Church gives Christians the word of God through speech. The conscience formulates its judgements according to reason; it’s the voice of God speaking from within you.