Scripture and Tradition in the Catholic Church
The Connection Between Biblical and Apostolic Teachings
Mar 26, 2009
Being Catholic can be a real challenge. After all, the Catholic Church is almost 2,000 years old; and anything this old is bound to have lots of layers — and an abundance to elements that one must understand.
The two most influential sources of Catholic doctrine are sacred Scripture and sacred tradition. Both Scripture and tradition form the cornerstone of the Catholic faith, and contribute immensely to the content of what the Church really believes.
Catholic Scripture and Tradition — Two Realities With One Source
According to the Catholic Church, sacred Scripture and sacred tradition are not so far removed from one another as many would believe.
On the one hand, "sacred Scripture" is a term used to name the holy writings associated with the faith, which are now contained in the Bible. These writings are composed of both the Old Testament and New Testament, and are comprised of both Jewish as well as uniquely Christian sources.
On the other hand there is "sacred tradition," a term indicating the unwritten and post-scriptural teaching of the Catholic Church. Sacred tradition is something authentically Christian, and traces its roots back to the time of the Apostles, who knew Christ during his time on earth. Both realities — scripture and tradition — are ultimately grounded in the revealed teachings of God, and specifically in the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Sacred Scripture — The Inspired Word of God
Perhaps more simple of the two is the notion of sacred Scripture.
Most Christian religions view Scripture in the same way as the Catholic Church; that is, as the inspired word of God. Scripture is viewed as something larger than the Church, since it does include the Jewish writings which constitute the Old Testament.
Nevertheless, the New Testament (the entirety of which was penned after the Ascension of Christ) is something uniquely Christian. One can even say it is uniquely Catholic, since in the years following the earthly life of the Lord, there existed only one, universal Church.
The Catholic Bible, as it is known today, includes both sets of writings; and the books contained therein have been continuously recognized by Church scholars, even dating back to the time of St. Augustine in the fourth century AD. By all accounts, sacred Scripture is something entirely Catholic, and something that has been a part of the Church since its very inception.
Sacred Tradition — A Continuously Mined Treasure
Having provided an environment for the writing and compilation of sacred Scripture, the sacred tradition of the Church is equally indispensable.
From the time of Christ, disciples have been continuously developing an understanding of just what it means to be truly Christian. The first major "council" of the Church occurred around 50 AD, in Jerusalem, and featured Saints Peter and Paul, two of the original Christian Apostles.
Since then, councils have been held on a regular basis on both the "ecumenical" (meaning the entire Church) and "local" levels. The teachings of these councils has been a source of continued richness for the faith, developing the doctrines of the Church and always mining the treasures first uncovered by the Twelve Apostles in their interaction with Jesus Christ.
Another key element of sacred tradition is seen in the hierarchy of the Church. Catholic bishops are the successors to the original Apostles; and the Bishop of Rome — or the pope — is the successor of St. Peter himself. Together, the bishops and the pope carry on the teaching duty of the Apostles. As teachers, the bishops of the Church are responsible for correctly and faithfully interpreting Sacred Scripture.
Since its very origin lies within the context of sacred tradition, the Catholic Church believes that only the bishops, in union with the pope, are able to make definitive proclamations of doctrine and dogma. This is not to say, however, that individual Catholics cannot read and appreciate Scripture for themselves; but only that in the end, individual interpretation must be aligned with the faith of the Catholic Church as a whole.
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