Divine Revelation
Catholic Scripture and Tradition — Two Sources of One Divine Revelation
“Scripture and Tradition — Both are sources of divine revelation, interpreted by the Magisterium.”
God reveals Himself through Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition, forming one unified deposit of faith.
Sacred Scripture — God’s Word Written
The written Word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit and entrusted to the Church. Scripture faithfully teaches what God wants us to know for our salvation, fully centered on Christ as the fulfillment of revelation.
Divine Inspiration
God is the true author; human authors wrote under the Spirit’s guidance.
Inerrancy in Salvation
Scripture faithfully teaches what God wants us to know for our salvation.
Christ-Centered
Every book points to Christ, the fullness of revelation.
Entrusted to the Church
Scripture belongs to the Church’s living faith, not private interpretation.
Sacred Tradition — God’s Word Handed On
The living transmission of Christ’s teaching through Apostolic preaching, liturgical life, and the lived faith of the Church. Tradition begins with the apostles and continues through their successors, ensuring fidelity across generations under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
“Dynamic yet faithful development of the Church’s living memory.”
- Apostolic origin starting with Christ and the apostles
- Continuous growth in the Church’s understanding
- Expressed through liturgy, creeds, and councils
Unified Deposit
They are not two separate revelations but two modes of transmitting the same revelation, forming the living memory of the Church.
One Deposit of Faith — Scripture + Tradition Together
“One unified deposit of faith… Scripture and Tradition together transmit God’s revelation.”
Mutual Reinforcement
Scripture and Tradition are equal in authority and mutually reinforcing, ensuring continuity from Christ to today.
Divine Transmission
Through Apostolic preaching and the Holy Spirit, the Church transmits the fullness of truth entrusted to her by God.
