Topic 3 of 11
Scripture and Tradition
The Catechism teaches that the Church does not take her certainty about all revealed truths from Scripture alone, and that Scripture, Tradition and the teaching office stand together. Scripture describes itself as God-breathed and enough to equip us completely.
What the Catechism teaches
The Catechism holds Scripture and Tradition together as one deposit, honoured equally, with the Church's teaching office as their authentic interpreter.
does not derive her certainty about all revealed truths from the holy Scriptures alone. Both Scripture and Tradition must be accepted and honoured with equal sentiments of devotion and reverence.
Catechism of the Catholic Church, 82 · official text
The task of giving an authentic interpretation of the Word of God, whether in its written form or in the form of Tradition, has been entrusted to the living teaching office of the Church alone.
Catechism of the Catholic Church, 85 · official text
sacred Tradition, Sacred Scripture and the Magisterium of the Church are so connected and associated that one of them cannot stand without the others.
Catechism of the Catholic Church, 95 · official text
What Scripture says
Paul says all Scripture is God-breathed and makes the believer complete, thoroughly equipped. Jesus judged the religious traditions of His day by the written word, and warned against setting aside God's commandment for human tradition. The Bereans were praised for checking what they heard against the Scriptures.
16Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, 17that each person who belongs to God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (WEB) · context
8“For you set aside the commandment of God, and hold tightly to the tradition of men—the washing of pitchers and cups, and you do many other such things.” 9He said to them, “Full well do you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.
Mark 7:8-9 (WEB) · context
13making void the word of God by your tradition which you have handed down. You do many things like this.”
Mark 7:13 (WEB) · context
11Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.
Acts 17:11 (WEB) · context
8The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God stands forever.”
Isaiah 40:8 (WEB) · context
How Catholics answer
Catholics point to 2 Thessalonians 2:15, where Paul tells believers to hold to the traditions they were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter.
15So then, brothers, stand firm and hold the traditions which you were taught by us, whether by word or by letter.
2 Thessalonians 2:15 (WEB) · context
What Scripture answers
Paul's spoken teaching and his letters carried the same gospel. Today, the apostles' teaching that we can check, word for word, is the teaching they wrote down. Scripture invites us to test every teaching by it, as the Bereans did and as Jesus did.
11Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.
Acts 17:11 (WEB) · context
The good news
Saved by grace, through faith, in Christ
Salvation is God's free gift to everyone who trusts Jesus Christ alone.