Scripture and Tradition

God has chosen to reveal Himself to man in concrete Words and Deeds.This Revelation is interpreted and passed on to us through Scripture and Tradition.

ScriptureScripture is the inspired record of Gods Revelation in History.Scripture is the speech of God as it is put down in writing under the breath of the Holy Spirit.Apostolic Tradition has discerned a complete list of 46 books in the Old Testament and 27 books in the New Testament.Dual Authorship: God employed human authors to write exactly what He wanted saidno more, no less. God is the primary author of Scripture!This is a mystery

TraditionIn order that the full and living Gospel might always be preserved in the Church, the apostles left bishops as their successors. Apostolic Succession ensures that the Sacred Deposit of Faith is transmitted to every generation.Those Truths revealed to us by Christ that are necessary for our salvationThe line of Bishops in union with the Popes from Peter to Benedict 16 Magisterium

Written by God through the inspiration of the Holy SpiritTradition helps us truly understand what God is saying in Scripture.Many Protestant denominations proclaim Sola Scriptora (by Scripture alone). This is not the Catholic belief because Christ specifically set up the authority of the Church when he commissioned the apostles.Besides that, we would not have the Bible if it had not been for tradition! It was under the authority of the Church that the books of the Bible were collected and deemed inspired and inerrant. Without error in matters concerning our salvation God wants to reveal TRUTH!!!You are Peter and upon this Rock I will build my Church Mt 16:19We would not know about Gods plan for our salvation if He did not reveal it to us!!!

How did the Bible come to be?1. Oral TraditionGods actions in history are passed on and interpreted by word of mouth from generation to generation. Often when we look carefully at Scripture, we can see little memory devices that helped the designated historian remember the stories.God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them Gen 9:1God said to Noah and to his sons with him Gen 9:7

It has only been in the last 500 years of history that the majority of people could read anythingJohann Gutenberg The Printing Press 1450

What was written down was placed on animal skin (normally from sheep skin vellum), thin sheets of copper or papyrus. Practically speaking, it would be very expensive and time consuming to write something downand that copy might not last very long given the rough conditions of the time.Papyrus made from reeds in Egypt

The traditioning process is seen clearly in 1 Cor 11.Paul is handing on something that he received from someone else.Process how it is passed onContent what is passed on In some cases Gods actions became written down and interpreted. This writing down of the traditioning process is what we call Scripture.2. The development of written books

How did they know what was inspired?As for the New Testament, we go back to the idea of Tradition. Jesus gave the apostles the skills and the authority to determine what was inspired and what was not.The formation of the Bible as we know it today had been going on for a long time before the bishops met at the Council of Trent (1500s) to develop a list of approved books. This list of approved books became known as the Canon of Scripture.Most of the Old Testament was compiled (either orally or in writing) long before Jesus walked the face of the earth.The same Spirit that helped write the text now helps us to interpret it!3. Setting the Canon of Scripture

The Bible is the Churchs book!It came out of the Churchs Tradition!!!