In the early Church, the apostles preached and taught orally. As Christianity spread, it became essential to write down God’s message, inspired by the Holy Spirit. This laid the foundation for the New Testament. Dei Verbum highlights the symbiotic relationship between Scripture and Tradition. Sacred Scripture, encompassing the Old and New Testaments, is the Word of God, while Sacred Tradition includes liturgy, prayers, and teachings passed down through the Church.
The document emphasizes that the Magisterium, the Church’s teaching authority, serves the Word of God. The faith handed down to us is a gift, developing through the Holy Spirit as we study, contemplate, and live out our beliefs
Dei Verbum insists that all believers must have access to the Word of God. It is crucial for the clergy to immerse themselves in scripture to effectively share its riches with the faithful.
Through diligent reading and careful study of Sacred Scriptures, we come to know Christ. As St. Jerome famously said, ‘Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.
Revelation is not just words about God, but it is a living experience of God and one that develops into a relationship. God does not only tell us how to live our lives but the Word of God reveals who God is. In coming to know more what God is like, we come to understand the purpose for our human existence. Besides dying to save us, Jesus makes known our human connection to God who is Abba, Father. The Father sent the Son so he could tell us about the inner life of God. Jesus is not only the Word made flesh and dwelt amongst us (Jn.1:14) but he also promises us eternal life: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. (Jn.6:68)
In Jesus revelation is complete. The Holy Spirit was sent to bring us to completion
In the early Church they preached and taught orally. Besides preaching and teaching they, what we would say today, “they walked the talk.” The Acts of the Apostles give us a clear picture of the early communities (Acts 2:42ff). However as Christianity spread and time went on, it became necessary to be inspired by the Holy Spirit to write down God’s message. The Apostles were succeeded by bishops, who till today, the duty of the bishops is to secure and protect the Word of God and to see that it is kept intact to the end of time. For this reason Dev Verbum insists that there is a kind of symbiotic relationship between Scripture and Sacred Tradition which is the Word of God passed on to us in various forms: Liturgy, prayers, and the teachings of the Apostles and their successors. The 3rd pillar of the church is the Magisterium. The Magisterium is not superior to the Word of God, but is its servant. Jesus came to reveal the truths and commission all of us to preach these truths.
In composing the sacred books, God chose men and while employed by Him they made use of their powers and abilities, so that with Him acting in them and through them, they, as true authors, consigned to writing everything and only those things which He wanted. (DV#11)
God is the true author of the scriptures but how did God write them He chose men, the writers were not just you know like marionettes being manipulated by God. But he chose real figures embedded in the culture of their time people with their own minds and wills and purposes but then he used them for his transcendent purpose. None of the Scripture writers were robbed of human intelligence or knowledge, but in a special way their human characteristics, including their limitations, were used to deliver God’s message faithfully without error. By without error, we mean the message of God is true and faithful which is useful for our salvation and not in the sense of scientific and historical accuracy (DV 11)
Interpretation of Scripture comes from the Holy Spirit, too. Interpretation requires insight into historical analysis, literary analysis, understanding tradition, human sciences, and comprehending the purpose the text served to its initial audience.
The Old Testament reveals God’s covenants and prepares us for Jesus. It is filled with teachings, wisdom, and prayers, all pointing to the mystery of salvation.
The New Testament reveals Jesus’ life and teachings, guiding us to the Father and forming the foundation of our faith and the Church.
Scripture is central to every sacrament and theology. It enlightens minds, strengthens wills, and ignites the love of God in our hearts.”
Let us embrace this divine revelation, allowing it to enlighten our minds, strengthen our wills, and set our hearts on fire with the love of God.