Catholic View on Biblical Inerrancy and Tradition
The relationship between biblical inerrancy and tradition is a point of significant theological divergence among Christian traditions. While many traditions affirm the truthfulness of Scripture, the role and authority of tradition in interpreting and understanding that truth vary considerably.
The Catholic Church teaches that both Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition are to be accepted and honored with "equal sentiments of devotion and reverence" [5]. This perspective holds that the Church, entrusted with the transmission and interpretation of Revelation, does not derive its certainty about all revealed truths from the Holy Scriptures alone [5]. Instead, the Word of God was entrusted to the apostles by Christ and the Holy Spirit, and this is transmitted to their successors to be faithfully preserved, expounded, and spread [5]. This view emphasizes the continuous role of the Church's teaching authority, the Magisterium, in safeguarding and interpreting divine revelation [5].
In contrast, many Protestant traditions uphold the principle of sola Scriptura, meaning "Scripture alone." This position asserts that the Bible is the sole infallible rule of faith and practice. While tradition can be valuable for understanding Christian history and interpretation, it is always subordinate to Scripture and must be tested by it. For instance, Reformed theologians like John Calvin emphasized that true worship of God must follow the course prescribed in Scripture, viewing it as the commencement of faith [1]. Similarly, Charles Hodge, a prominent Old Princeton Reformed theologian, argued that tradition cannot be a trustworthy informant of what Christ taught without divine, supernatural interposition, especially given the prevalence of false traditions throughout history [3]. He questioned the criterion by which true traditions could be distinguished from false ones [3].
Despite these differences, there is shared ground regarding the nature of God's truthfulness. Across traditions, there is an affirmation that God "does not lie" [2]. This divine attribute underpins the trustworthiness of God's promises and the reliability of His word, whether understood primarily through Scripture or through the combined authority of Scripture and Tradition [2]. The concept of God's unwavering truthfulness provides a foundational assurance for believers, enabling them to live in light of future promises [2]. Early Christian writers, such as Cyprian, also highlighted the importance of truth prevailing over custom, stating that "custom without truth is the antiquity of error" [4]. This sentiment underscores a shared commitment to truth, even if the means of discerning and upholding that truth differ.
Sources
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 1 (Gen 1-23), section 4.10: God, and no other right faith. But it was also his will to testify to all ages, that whosoever desired to worship God aright, and to be deemed members of the Church, must pursue no other course than that which is here prescribed. But as this is the commencement of faith, to know that there is one only true God whom we worship, so it is no common confirmation of this faith that we are companions of the Patriarchs; for since they possessed Christ as the pledge of their salvation when he had not yet appeared, so we retain the God who”
- Titus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Titus 1:2: 1:2 The confidence that they have eternal life enables God’s people to live in the present in light of the future (see 2:11-14; 3:7-8). • God—who does not lie: The true God contrasts with popular Cretan conceptions (see study note on 1:12). This statement also underlines God’s plan of salvation as unchanging (1:1): God can be trusted to fulfill his promises (see Num 23:19; 1 Sam 15:29; Rom 3:3-4).”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 1, section 37: promise in the Word of God, and as such preservation and transmission without divine, supernatural interposition, would be impossible, tradition cannot be a trustworthy informant of what Christ taught. No Criterion. 3. Romanists again admit that many false traditions have prevailed in different ages and in different parts of the Church. Those who receive them are confident of their genuineness, and zealous in their support. How shall the line be drawn between the true and false? By what criterion can the one be distinguished from the othe”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 5: Hippolytus, Cyprian, Caius, Novatian — TO POMPEY, AGAINST THE EPISTLE OF STEPHEN ABOUT THE BAPTISM OF HERETICS. (part 7): custom, which had crept in among some, to prevent the truth from prevailing and conquering; for custom without truth is the antiquity of error.(2) On which account, let us forsake the error and follow the truth, knowing that in Esdras also the truth conquers, as it is written: "Truth endureth and grows strong to eternity, and lives and prevails for ever and ever. With her there is no accepting of persons or distinctions; but what is just she does: nor in her judg”
- Catechism of the Catholic Church (Catholic) “Catechism of the Catholic Church, Article 2 (part 3): Word of God which has been entrusted to the apostles by Christ the Lord and the Holy Spirit. It transmits it to the successors of the apostles so that, enlightened by the Spirit of truth, they may faithfully preserve, expound and spread it abroad by their preaching."43 82 As a result the Church, to whom the transmission and interpretation of Revelation is entrusted, "does not derive her certainty about all revealed truths from the holy Scriptures alone. Both Scripture and Tradition must be accepted and honoured with equal sentiments of devo”