Sensus Fidelium (a quick note about the Church) and concerning Revelation
From http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=8784: this is a definition from disciplesnow.com
DEFINITION: SENSUS FIDELIUM
Literally the "sense of the faithful." Just as the Spirit infallibly guides the magisterium so that it doesn't propose teachings that would lead the whole Church into error, so there is a flip side to the infallibility coin: The faithful, as a whole, have an instinct or "sense" about when a teaching is-or is not-in harmony with the true faith.
I came across this term through reading the Catechism: 67 Throughout the ages, there have been so-called "private" revelations, some of which have been recognized by the authority of the Church. They do not belong, however, to the deposit of faith. It is not their role to improve or complete Christ's definitive Revelation, but to help live more fully by it in a certain period of history. Guided by the Magisterium of the Church, the sensus fidelium knows how to discern and welcome in these revelations whatever constitutes an authentic call of Christ or his saints to the Church. Christian faith cannot accept "revelations" that claim to surpass or correct the Revelation of which Christ is the fulfilment, as is the case in certain nonChristian religions and also in certain recent sects which base themselves on such "revelations".
Summer 2006, I went to some Bahai Faith group meetings for free pizza. (Jeremy and Jennifer made much fun of this, saying I "would sell my soul for free food.") This latter point was raised adamantly by then-RA Jon and seconded by Lani; namely, that Jesus fulfilled everything and nothing was left to be said. (For those unaware: the Bahai Faith claims to be for Islam what Islam claims to be for Christianity which Christianity claims to be for Judaism. That is, the next step in divine revelation.)
... and, just for further clarity, from this page of the Catechism: 73 God has revealed himself fully by sending his own Son, in whom he has established his covenant for ever. the Son is his Father's definitive Word; so there will be no further Revelation after him.
DEFINITION: SENSUS FIDELIUM
Literally the "sense of the faithful." Just as the Spirit infallibly guides the magisterium so that it doesn't propose teachings that would lead the whole Church into error, so there is a flip side to the infallibility coin: The faithful, as a whole, have an instinct or "sense" about when a teaching is-or is not-in harmony with the true faith.
I came across this term through reading the Catechism: 67 Throughout the ages, there have been so-called "private" revelations, some of which have been recognized by the authority of the Church. They do not belong, however, to the deposit of faith. It is not their role to improve or complete Christ's definitive Revelation, but to help live more fully by it in a certain period of history. Guided by the Magisterium of the Church, the sensus fidelium knows how to discern and welcome in these revelations whatever constitutes an authentic call of Christ or his saints to the Church. Christian faith cannot accept "revelations" that claim to surpass or correct the Revelation of which Christ is the fulfilment, as is the case in certain nonChristian religions and also in certain recent sects which base themselves on such "revelations".
Summer 2006, I went to some Bahai Faith group meetings for free pizza. (Jeremy and Jennifer made much fun of this, saying I "would sell my soul for free food.") This latter point was raised adamantly by then-RA Jon and seconded by Lani; namely, that Jesus fulfilled everything and nothing was left to be said. (For those unaware: the Bahai Faith claims to be for Islam what Islam claims to be for Christianity which Christianity claims to be for Judaism. That is, the next step in divine revelation.)
... and, just for further clarity, from this page of the Catechism: 73 God has revealed himself fully by sending his own Son, in whom he has established his covenant for ever. the Son is his Father's definitive Word; so there will be no further Revelation after him.