scripture and tradition

tradition

• some christian denominations such as the Catholic Church, also believe that Tradition, which is knowledge passed on through the Church over time, is essential for a full understanding of revelation.

• The idea of Tradition includes the belief that the Church has the role of clarifying the true meaning, where the revelation contained in the Bible may be open for interpretation. This is done through Ecumenical Councils and, for Catholics, through the teaching of the Magisterium

sola scriptura

Protestant Reformers were often associated with the saying Sola Scriptura (by scripture alone) and denied that the pope and bishops had the authority to interpret the Bible. For many Protestants, therefore, a developed understanding of the teaching of the Bible is derived from careful individual study

The Catholic Church disagrees with sola scriptura, and says that tradition can also be another source of authority. They believe that God has not left us with just the Bible, but a Church which passes on the truths from one generation to the next

• In 325 BCE the bishops of the Church created the Nicene Creed which sets out beliefs about God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The church believes that this is the revealed truth from God

Although human, fallible bishops were the ones who were the messengers, the real source of inspiration is the continuing work of the Holy Spirit, and so the Creed has the same kind of authority as the Bible

continuity between NT + OT

St Augustine argued it was necessary to see the Old Testament in the light of the New Testament to appreciate its full significant and importance

- The New Testament lies hidden in the Old, and the Old Testament is unveiled in the new

The majority of Christian thinkers have emphasised the continuity between the two testaments, whilst at the same time noting the distinctions between them

- For example, Matthew’s gospel shows the continuity between Jesus and Moses, Paul’s letters focus on the continuity of faith between Abraham and Christianity

• N.T. Wright argues that the New Testament completes Israel’s story, portraying Jesus as the climax of God’s covenantal relationship with Israel.

diff between NT+ OT

• The New Testament writers stress the fact that the God of the New Testament is the same as the God of the Old Testament

• Second Century Writer Marcion argued that the Old Testament God is different to the New; the Old Testament God, who merely created the world, was focused on the idea of law. The New Testament God, however, redeemed the world and was concerned with love. The purpose of Christ was to depose the Old Testament God and usher in the worship of the true God of grace

• The New Testament abolishes or reinterprets many Old Testament laws, creating rupture rather than continuity. → Paul argues in Galatians 3 that the Law was a temporary measure and is no longer binding. Dietary laws, circumcision, and temple rituals are set aside (Acts 15; Romans 14).

• E.P. Sanders highlights that the shift from covenantal nomism (law-observance) in Judaism to salvation by grace through faith marks a fundamental brea