Course Overview:

Learn what the Magisterium is, where its authority comes from, and how it helps protect authentic Catholic teaching throughout the life of the Church. In this course, you’ll gain a clearer understanding of the Church’s teaching office, grow in confidence when questions arise, and discover why the Magisterium remains essential for preserving truth and guiding the faithful.
Course Overview:

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The Magisterium is composed of short, easy-to-watch video segments that you can view at your own pace, in the comfort of your home, right from your computer or mobile device.

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Skills covered in this course:

This course will help you build a practical understanding of the Magisterium and how to explain its role in the life of the Church. Along the way, you will learn to identify the source and scope of the Church’s teaching authority, distinguish between different levels of teaching, and respond more confidently to common questions or objections about doctrine and authority.

  • Explain what the Magisterium is

  • Identify the basis of its authority

  • Distinguish levels of Church teaching

  • Understand its role in preserving truth

  • Answer common objections with confidence

Watch a Free Sample Lesson

In this lesson, Jimmy Akin explores where the Magisterium’s authority comes from and how Christ entrusted the Church to teach in his name.


Meet your Instructor

  • Jimmy Akin

    Dean

    Jimmy Akin

    Jimmy Akin is an internationally known author and speaker. As the senior apologist at Catholic Answers, he has more than twenty-five years of experience defending and explaining the Faith. Jimmy is a convert to the Faith and has an extensive background in the Bible, theology, the Church Fathers, philosophy, canon law, and liturgy.

Course curriculum

  • 1
    The Magisterium
  • 2
    The Magisterium - Lessons 1-7
    • Lesson 1: Authority to Teach
    • Lesson 2: What Is the Magisterium?
    • Lesson 3: Teaching in the Church
    • Lesson 4: Bishops Teaching Alone
    • Lesson 5: Bishops Teaching Together
    • Lesson 6: The Pope and the Holy See
    • Lesson 7: Doctrines and Disciplines
  • 3
    The Magisterium - Lessons 8-10
    • Lesson 8: The Concept of Revelation
    • Lesson 9: Tradition
    • Lesson 10: Scripture, Tradition, and the Magisterium
  • 4
    The Magisterium - Lessons 11-13
    • Lesson 11: Inerrancy, Infallibility, and Inspiration
    • Lesson 12: The Documents of Bishops
    • Lesson 13: Papal Documents
  • 5
    The Magisterium - Lessons 14-20
    • Lesson 14: Other Church Documents
    • Lesson 15: The Catechism and Denzinger
    • Lesson 16: Reading Church Documents
    • Lesson 17: Texts and Translations
    • Lesson 18: Understanding Terms
    • Lesson 19: Key Principles of Interpretation
    • Lesson 20: The Hermeneutics of Charity and Precision
  • 6
    The Magisterium - Lessons 21-24
    • Lesson 21: Case Study: Humanae Vitae (1)
    • Lesson 22: The Importance of Genre
    • Lesson 23: A Case Study—Amoris Laetitia
    • Lesson 24: Theological Notes
  • 7
    The Magisterium - Lessons 25-33
    • Lesson 25: The Spectrum of Authority
    • Lesson 26: The Negative Side of the Spectrum
    • Lesson 27: Nondoctrinal Statements
    • Lesson 28: Statements Not Creating an Obligation
    • Lesson 29: Noninfallible Doctrines
    • Lesson 30: Weighing Noninfallible Doctrines
    • Lesson 31: Understanding the Church’s Infallibility
    • Lesson 32: The Subjects of Infallibility
    • Lesson 33: The Objects of Infallibility
  • 8
    The Magisterium - Lessons 34-41
    • Lesson 34: Case Study: Humanae Vitae (2)
    • Lesson 35: Case Study: Ordinatio Sacerdotalis
    • Lesson 36: The Exercise of Infallible Teaching
    • Lesson 37: When the Ordinary and Universal Magisterium Teaches Infallibly
    • Lesson 38: When Ecumenical Councils Teach Infallibly
    • Lesson 39: When Popes Teach Infallibly
    • Lesson 40: Terms Indicating Infallibility
    • Lesson 41: Identifying Dogmas
  • 9
    The Magisterium - Lessons 42-56
    • Lesson 42: Theological Opinion
    • Lesson 43: Identifying Permitted Opinions
    • Lesson 44: Understanding Doctrinal Development
    • Quiz: Understanding Doctrinal Development
    • Lesson 45: Types of Doctrinal Development
    • Lesson 46: Case Study: The Immaculate Conception
    • Lesson 47: Case Study: Limbo and the Salvation of the Unbaptized
    • Lesson 48: Indicators of Doctrinal Development
    • Lesson 49: Further Indicators of Doctrinal Development
    • Lesson 50: Difficulties with Doctrinal Development
    • Lesson 51: Apparent Nonreception of Doctrine
    • Lesson 52: Difficulties with Church Teaching
    • Lesson 53: Dealing with Difficulties
    • Lesson 54: Before You Disagree
    • Lesson 55: The Papal Rumor Net
    • Lesson 56: Case Study: Gregory III and Horsemeat
  • 10
    Next steps
    • More resources for you
    • Before you go...