3MC - Episode 09 - How is Revelation passed on?

Summary

God's revelation is passed on through two main channels: Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition. The Bible, a compilation of 73 books, is divinely inspired, but not through dictation—authors wrote from their own lives under the Holy Spirit's guidance. While the Old Testament prepares for Jesus, the New Testament focuses on His life and message. Christianity, however, is not solely based on a book, as Jesus formed a living community to spread His message. Sacred Tradition complements Sacred Scripture and contains teachings passed down from the Apostles, such as doctrines on the Trinity, purgatory, and Marian dogmas.

Takeaways

• 😀 Revelation is passed on to us through two primary channels: Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition.
• 📚 The Bible, a compilation of 73 books, is the written word of Revelation, with texts written by various authors under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
• ✍️ The authors of the Bible were divinely inspired but wrote from their own lives, cultures, and contexts, not through divine dictation.
• 📖 The Bible consists of 46 books in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament, covering the time before and after the life of Jesus.
• ⛪ Christianity is not a religion of the book; Jesus did not write a book but founded a living community of disciples to spread his message.
• ✉️ Although the Apostles preached orally, they also passed on their message in writing, which became part of the New Testament.
• 📜 Sacred Tradition, in addition to Sacred Scripture, carries Christ's message and is preserved within the Christian community over time.
• 📖 Sacred Tradition includes key teachings like the Trinity, the doctrine of purgatory, and Marian dogmas, which were handed down from the Apostles.
• 💬 St. Paul emphasized the importance of holding fast to the traditions taught by the Apostles, whether orally or in writing.
• 🤝 Both Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition are interpreted by the Magisterium of the Church and are vital to the life of the Christian community.

Q & A

How is God's revelation passed on to us?

God's revelation is passed on to us in two ways: through Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition.

What is Sacred Scripture, and how is it related to God's revelation?

Sacred Scripture refers to the Bible, which is the written word of Revelation. It consists of 73 books, written by different authors under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Why is the Bible called a 'compilation of books' and not just a book?

The Bible is called a compilation of books because it is made up of 73 different books written by various authors, not a single book. The term 'Bible' comes from the Greek word for 'books.'

How are the texts of the Bible inspired?

The texts of the Bible are divinely inspired, but not in a way that implies a form of divine dictation. The authors wrote as people, drawing from their own lives, languages, and cultures, but were guided by the Holy Spirit.

What is the difference between the Old and New Testaments?

The Old Testament contains 46 books and covers the time before Jesus, focusing on figures like Abraham, Moses, and the prophets. The New Testament, with 27 books, is all about Jesus and His disciples.

Why is Christianity not considered a religion of the book?

Christianity is not a religion of the book because Jesus did not write a book. Instead, He established a living community of disciples who spread His message orally and through their actions.

How did the Apostles pass on the message of Jesus?

The Apostles passed on the message of Jesus both through oral tradition and by writing texts, which later became part of the New Testament. However, their preaching extended beyond written words.

What does St. Paul say about tradition in his letter to the Thessalonians?

In his second letter to the Thessalonians, St. Paul encourages the faithful to stand firm and hold fast to the traditions they were taught, whether by word of mouth or in writing.

What is Sacred Tradition, and how is it different from other church practices?

Sacred Tradition refers to the teachings and practices handed down from the Apostles, forming the deposit of faith. It includes theological concepts like the Trinity and Marian dogmas, but excludes things like processions or Easter eggs, which are not part of the deposit of faith.

How are Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition connected?

Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition are closely linked to one another, both interpreted by the Magisterium of the Church and handed on within the community of the faithful.