Cardinal Says Scripture Inseparably United to Tradition

Zenit.org ^ | October 7, 2008 | Zenit

[Salvation]

Cardinal Says Scripture Inseparably United to Tradition

Synod Considers Word of God as More Than Bible

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 7, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Scripture and Tradition are inseparably united since they both come from the same source, says the prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

Cardinal William Levada, a delegate president of the synod on the word of God, affirmed this Monday when he addressed the 12th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops.

"As the dogmatic constitution 'Dei Verbum' reminds us, there exists an indissoluble unity between sacred Scripture and Tradition since both flow from the same source," he said. "Only the living ecclesial tradition allows sacred Scripture to be understood as the authentic word of God that acts as guide, rule and law for the life of the Church and the spiritual growth of believers.

"This involves the rejection of any interpretation that is subjective or purely experiential or the fruit of a unilateral analysis, incapable of embracing the global sense that has guided the Tradition of the whole of God's people down through the centuries."

It is in this context, the cardinal said, that the "necessity and responsibility of the magisterium are born."

"And we individual bishops too know well how great our individual responsibilities are as legitimate successors of the apostles and what is expected of us by today's society to which we are duty-bound to transmit the truth that we, in turn, have received," he added.

Life with God

Noting Benedict XVI's stated hope that the synod will "help […] to rediscover the importance of God's word," the cardinal said the synod fathers wanted to "welcome this invitation with humility and responsibility since we know that the final end of divine revelation is the communion of life with the Lord."

"As we begin the work of this synodal assembly, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, let us turn our gaze to Christ, the light of the world and our only teacher," Cardinal Levada encouraged.

The prelate's point was further developed when Cardinal Marc Ouellet, archbishop of Quebec, took the floor to affirm that the Word is much more than the Bible. He clarified that Christianity is not a religion of the Book.

"The Word of God means before all else God himself who speaks, who expresses in himself the divine Word that belongs to his intimate mystery," he said.

This Word, he added during his Latin-language discourse, which he delivered seated beside the Pope, speaks in a particular and also dramatic way in the history of man, especially in the election of a people, in the Mosaic law and the prophets.

Accompanying his words with artistic images projected on a large screen, the Canadian cardinal explained that, after God had spoken in many ways, the Word "summarizes and crowns everything in a unique, perfect and definitive way in Jesus Christ."

[Salvation]

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[dr_lew]

The title is telling.

Scripture and Tradition are inseparably united since they both come from the same source, says the prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

... namely, tradition.

Don't get me wrong! Tradition is weighty, and more than respecting it, I even bow to it. Yet, our minds are free, are they not?

[Salvation]

You must be referring to YOPIOS — Your Own Personal Interpretation Of Scirpture.

Catholics don’t go along with that because we have a guide — the Catholic Church.

[dr_lew]

I don’t think “guide” is the word.

[Salvation]

What is your suggestion?

[dr_lew]

The Church is not a guide, but a master. One hires a guide, and duly considers his advice without ceding ones ultimate right of judgment. Of course this is an old issue vis a vis the Roman Catholic Church, leading to the Reformation in Europe, and the proliferation of “dissenters”, particulary in England. This whole trend is the template for “freedom of religion” which is an article of faith in our American Religion, and includes, of course, the freedom to practice Roman Catholicism. Oh, the irony.

[vladimir998]

You wrote:

“The Church is not a guide, but a master.”

The Church was sent by Christ to guide us and has real authority. There is no mutual exclusion there.

“One hires a guide, and duly considers his advice without ceding ones ultimate right of judgment.”

No. When God sends a guide, that guide is not hired, and his advice is more than just advice. It is authority.

“Of course this is an old issue vis a vis the Roman Catholic Church, leading to the Reformation in Europe, and the proliferation of “dissenters”, particulary in England.”

Again, no. It is merely a myth that the “Reformers” rebelled for the sake of freedom. That lie is shown by the fact that they were more severe in systematically suppressing “dissent” than Catholics - especially in welding the Church and state into the same organism. All of the major Protestant sects were state established and, in Europe, still are.

“This whole trend is the template for “freedom of religion” which is an article of faith in our American Religion, and includes, of course, the freedom to practice Roman Catholicism. Oh, the irony.”

Again, no. If you look at the development of “freedom of religion” as it is understood by the secularists of today, you’ll see it more early developed in those lands in which the doctrine of the Trinity came into doubt. As denial of the Trinity, or restatement of the Trinitarian beliefs, or jettisoning of traditional Christianity, developed so did “freedom of religion”.

[narses]

The Church is not a guide, but a master.

The Church has always taught, from the first Apostles until now, that Our Lord gave us the Church, that He is the Living and True God and the Head of the Church and He is our Master. As Master, as Shepherd, he guides us. Playing word games detracts from the Truth and the Way. Tradition, given to us by Our Lord through His Apostles and their hand picked successors is an integral part of that Church.

[A.A. Cunningham]

Yet, our minds are free, are they not?

Yes, indeed. Your mind possesses the free will to reject Sacred Tradition.

[Kolokotronis]

This article is remarkable for the “Orthodoxy” of its content! This is indeed an expression of what The Church always and everywhere believed.

[Kolokotronis]

Orthodox ping for a remarkably Orthodox statement on scripture from various Latin Church cardinals.

[aposiopetic]

All of the major Protestant sects were state established and, in Europe, still are.

As I understand, the Anabaptist sects and the Pentecostals, who, on account of their numbers worldwide (over 200 million collectively, probably many more), cannot at this point be considered "minor," were not.

This is admittedly a minor detail when compared to the importance of the subject-matter of the rest of your post.

[Salvation]

I thought so too. Maybe we need a new name for Pope Benedict XVI — The Straight Talker.

LOL! I think he has already earned that name by speaking out in many situations. (God bless him.)

[kronos77]

Hi. Im a laik, so I dont understand this article. What it have to do with Orthodoxy?

[kronos77]

Hi. Im a laik, so I dont understand this article. What it have to do with Orthodoxy?

[narses]

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