Bible & TraditionKeeping the Revelation

The Church is the Keeper & Interpreter of both

The Bible

Inspired Word of God to certain peopleto write it down

How is it written?

The BibleTheories of Inspiration

A. Mechanical Theory– Human writer is a passive tool– Luke 1:1-4

B. Natural Theory– Natural product of personal experience –depends on closeness of person to the events

some heresies– 2 Peter 1: 20-21

C. Moral TheoryB. Ability to discover spiritual truth through a change of life styleC. Undermines the supernatural inspiration Some heresies

• Dynamic Theory + + THE ONLY THEORY THAT WE BELIEVE IN + +– The Holy Spirit penetrating all the faculties & talents of the writer –enabling them to write

God’s words & intentions without obstructing their free will, nor changing their innate character

– 4 Gospels (Humanity & Divinity)

The Bible

The Bible is the WORD OF GOD &the SUPREME AUTHORITY in the CHURCHAnd takes its authority directly from God

All the Bible is inspired, but not all of it is the Revelation of God

(example: Human words & words of the devil)Author is Inspired by God to write it, but it is not a

“Revelation of God”

The BibleProof of Direct Inspiration

(witnesses for the Revelations)1.From within the Bible (Internal)-Important VersesA.“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16

B.“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” 2 Peter 1:20-21-Other Verses: Mat. 5:18; 15:3-4; 22:31-34-Acts 2:17-18… Etc

The BibleProof of Direct Inspiration

(witnesses for the Revelations)

2.Outside the Bible (External)

a. CHURCH: We do not accept a book to be from the Bible except what the Church says it is the HOLY BIBLE

-St. Augustine: “But I would not believe in the Gospel, had not the Authority of the Universal Church already moved me.”

The BibleThe Relationship Between theAuthority of the Bible & Authority of the Church

- The Bible gives sufficient knowledge ofSalvation in light of the Church Tradition

- “but if I am delayed, I write so that you mayknow how you ought to conduct yourself inthe house of God, which is the Church of theLiving God, the pillar and ground of the Truth.”1 Timothy 3:15

The BibleThe Relationship Between theAuthority of the Bible & Authority of the Church

+ Church authority is to interpret & explain the Bible-The Bible has difficult meanings

-2 Peter 3:16-18-The new life in Christ is not accomplished in

separate individuals, but given to the Church as the living body of Christ with Jesus as the head of that Body

Apostolic Tradition1.Definition: It is the collective teachings of Christ & the Apostles

2.Characteristics of Apostolic Tradition:1.Can be traced back to the time of the Apostles2.Is present in all Apostolic Churches3.Does not contradict the Bible-Some “Church Traditions” are not apostolic

tradition like… (the infallibility of the Pope in the Catholic Church)

-The Protestants reject all tradition

Apostolic Tradition

3.Where Do We Find Apostolic Traditiona. The Commentary on the Bible-The Consensus

Patrium (The Agreement of the Fathers)b. The Church Creedc. The Liturgy & Worship Practices in Generald. The Work of the Canonical Ecumenical Councils

Apostolic Tradition4.Proof of TraditionA. From the Bible

a.Not everything Jesus did & taught is written in the Bible: John 20:30, 21:25; 2 John 12b.1 Corinth 11:34; 2 Timothy 1:13, 2:2; Rom 6:17; 2 Thes 2:15c.Rev 3:11; 2:25

B. From the Church Fathers-St. Athanasius & the “Purpose” of the Bible(To Serapion 2,7 & Bishops of Egypt 40)-How the Arians missed the Purpose of the Gospel-Irenaus: The “Design”-St. Basil: defense for the Holy Spirit is present in the Liturgy-St. Augustine: “But I would not believe in the Gospel, had not the Authority of the Universal Church already moved me.”

Apostolic Tradition• And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of

His disciples, which are not written in this book. John 20:30

• And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which is they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen. John 21:25

• Having many things to write to you, I did not wish to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, that our joy may be full. 2 John 12

Apostolic Tradition• Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from

me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 1:13• And the things that you have heard from me among many

witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 2 Tim 2:2

• But God be thanked that though you were slaves to sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. Rom 6:17

• Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle. 2 Thes 2:15

• Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. Rev 3:11

• But hold fast what you have till I come. Rev 2:25

Apostolic Tradition5.The Two Dimensions of the Apostolic TraditionA. Objective: = “Keeping a Treasure” = nothing added & nothing should be subtracted-work of Popes & Bishops is to protect the Revelation of God through Tradition

B. Subjective/ Personal: The work of the Holy Spirit in the Heart of the Believers without ink or paper (Jer 31:31 & Hebrews 8:8-11)-To form the conscience of the believer not after one person but the collective conscience of the Church

The Bible as Tradition

1. Canon of Scriptures-The Apostolic Tradition discerned what list of books should be incorporated in the Holy Bible-46 Books in Old Testament-27 Books in New Testament2.New Testament lies hidden in the Old, and the Old Testament is unveiled in the New Testament (St. Augustine)

The Bible as Tradition3. The Bible as oral tradition:-Old Testament Church were taught the Word of God orally in the wilderness by Moses before it was written in 5 Books of Moses-New Testament Church kept the Gospel by oral tradition before they were written.-Jesus had never asked his disciples to write but to teach.4.The Gospel is the heart of all Scriptures-3 stages of Formation of the Gospelsa. The Life & Teaching of Jesusb. The Oral Tradition after His Ascensionc. The Written Gospel5.The Four Fold Gospel has a Unique place in the Church-i.e. we stand up, light candles, listen in fear & reverence, offer incense-we emphasize personal daily readings of the Gospels