Sunday Homilies with Fr. Mike Schmitz: Episode Summary Episode: Pillar and Foundation: Canon of Scripture
Release Date: May 31, 2025

Introduction

In this enlightening episode of "Sunday Homilies with Fr. Mike Schmitz," hosted by Ascension, Fr. Mike delves deep into the intricate relationship between Scripture and Church tradition. Titled "Pillar and Foundation: Canon of Scripture," the homily explores the foundational elements that uphold Christian faith, particularly focusing on the canonical texts that constitute the Bible and the essential role of the Church in preserving these truths.

Scripture Reading and Context

Fr. Mike begins by grounding his discussion in the Holy Gospel according to Luke (24:46-53), highlighting Jesus' final instructions to His disciples. He reads:

Gregory (00:02): "A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke. Glory to you, o Lord. Chapter 24, verses 46, 53... [Luke 24:46-53]."

This passage emphasizes Jesus' commissioning of the disciples to preach repentance and the forgiveness of sins to all nations, underscoring the importance of both Scripture and the Church's role in disseminating these divine truths.

1. Scripture and Church Tradition

Fr. Mike addresses a prevalent tension within Christianity: the perceived dichotomy between Scripture and Church tradition. He challenges the notion that the Church and the Bible operate in isolation, emphasizing that both are indispensable for a robust faith.

Fr. Mike Schmitz (05:45): "We need both the Bible and the Church. We need both Scripture and tradition."

He references 2 Thessalonians 2:15, where St. Paul urges believers to "hold fast to the traditions that you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by writing," highlighting the intertwined nature of Scripture and oral tradition within the Christian faith.

2. The Canon of Scripture: Old and New Testament

The discussion transitions to the formation of the Biblical canon, addressing common curiosities about why certain books are included or excluded. Fr. Mike emphasizes that the canon was not arbitrarily assembled but was recognized through careful discernment and guided by the Holy Spirit.

Fr. Mike Schmitz (12:30): "I believe the Bible is the word of God, the infallible word of God. Absolutely, completely. So good. It's indispensable. Right, we know that. But where do you get this page that says these 73 books and no others? Well, the answer is we get that from the traditions of the Church."

He elaborates on the historical development of the canon, noting that while the Old Testament was generally established earlier, the New Testament canon underwent significant debate before reaching consensus in the late 4th century.

3. Early Church Councils and Canonical Authority

Fr. Mike highlights the pivotal role of early Church councils in formalizing the canon. He explains how the Council of Rome (382 AD), followed by the Council of Hippo (393 AD) and the Council of Carthage (397 AD), collectively affirmed the 73 books of the Catholic Bible, encompassing both the Old and New Testaments.

Fr. Mike Schmitz (20:15): "In the year 382 was when the Church said, officially declared these 73 books are divinely inspired. Now it's not the authority of the Church that just picked books and said, by our authority we declare that they're inspired. No, the Church recognized that God had divinely inspired all 73 of these books."

He underscores that the Catholic Church did not unilaterally decide on the canon but discerned it through divine guidance, thereby ensuring its authenticity and authority.

4. The Protestant Reformation and Canonical Discrepancies

A significant portion of the homily addresses the Protestant Reformation's impact on the Biblical canon, specifically focusing on Martin Luther's removal of the seven deuterocanonical books.

Fr. Mike Schmitz (28:50): "Martin Luther is doing his thing... from 1517 to 1520, Martin Luther was quoting those seven books, we call them the deuterocanonical books, those seven books that Martin Luther took out of the Bible... it was not until the year 1520 that Martin Luther was in a debate with a German theologian, a priest named Johann Eck... In that moment, Martin Luther removed or at least merely moved those seven books from the Bible."

Fr. Mike elucidates that Luther's decision was rooted in theological disagreements, particularly concerning doctrines like purgatory, which are supported by the deuterocanonical books. He also points out that the Jewish canon Luther appealed to was not definitively established during Jesus' time and was influenced by groups that did not recognize Jesus as the Messiah.

5. The Authority of the Catholic Church

Fr. Mike passionately defends the Catholic Church's authority in maintaining the Biblical canon, drawing parallels to early Christian practices and teachings.

Fr. Mike Schmitz (35:20): "St. Augustine once said this. He said, I would not believe in the authority of the Gospels. Were it not for the Catholic Church. I would not believe in the authority of the Gospels except that the Catholic Church had told me I could."

He reinforces that the Church's authority is divinely instituted by Jesus Himself, who promised the Holy Spirit to guide the Church into all truth. This divine guidance ensures the Church's role as the "pillar and foundation of truth."

Conclusion: The Church as Pillar and Foundation of Truth

Wrapping up, Fr. Mike quotes 1 Timothy 3:15 to underscore the essential role of the Church:

Fr. Mike Schmitz (45:30): "1 Timothy 3:15... the Church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth."

He concludes by affirming that the Church is not an optional aspect of Christian life but a necessary institution that, alongside Scripture, upholds and transmits divine truth. Emphasizing that believers are privileged to embrace both the Bible and the Church, Fr. Mike encourages a harmonious relationship between personal faith and adherence to the Church's teachings.

Key Takeaways

• Interdependence of Scripture and Tradition: The Bible and Church traditions are mutually reinforcing pillars of Christian faith.

• Historical Formation of the Canon: The Biblical canon was established through guided discernment by early Church councils, ensuring its divine inspiration and authority.

• Impact of the Reformation: Martin Luther's removal of the deuterocanonical books reflects theological differences and the complexities of canon formation.

• Authority of the Catholic Church: The Church, guided by the Holy Spirit, holds the authority to define and preserve the canonical texts essential for faith and practice.

• Essential Role of the Church: As the "pillar and foundation of truth," the Church is indispensable for understanding, preserving, and living out the truths of the Christian faith.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Fr. Mike Schmitz (05:45): "We need both the Bible and the Church. We need both Scripture and tradition."

• Fr. Mike Schmitz (12:30): "I believe the Bible is the word of God, the infallible word of God. Absolutely, completely. So good. It's indispensable. Right, we know that. But where do you get this page that says these 73 books and no others? Well, the answer is we get that from the traditions of the Church."

• Fr. Mike Schmitz (20:15): "In the year 382 was when the Church said, officially declared these 73 books are divinely inspired. Now it's not the authority of the Church that just picked books and said, by our authority we declare that they're inspired. No, the Church recognized that God had divinely inspired all 73 of these books."

• Fr. Mike Schmitz (28:50): "Martin Luther is doing his thing... in that moment, Martin Luther removed or at least merely moved those seven books from the Bible."

• Fr. Mike Schmitz (35:20): "St. Augustine once said this. He said, I would not believe in the authority of the Gospels. Were it not for the Catholic Church. I would not believe in the authority of the Gospels except that the Catholic Church had told me I could."

• Fr. Mike Schmitz (45:30): "the Church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth."

Final Thoughts

Fr. Mike Schmitz's homily offers a profound exploration of the foundations of Christian faith, particularly emphasizing the symbiotic relationship between Scripture and the Catholic Church. By tracing the historical development of the Biblical canon and addressing the challenges posed by the Protestant Reformation, he reaffirms the indispensable role of the Church as the guardian of divine truth. This episode serves as a compelling affirmation for believers to embrace both the Bible and the Church's teachings as essential components of their spiritual journey.