Scripture and Tradition
One well or two streams? How the written word and the handed-down faith hold authority
This concerns the relationship between written Scripture and the Church's transmitted teaching (paradosis) as sources of authority. Early witnesses like Irenaeus and Basil appealed to both, and the question became a defining divide at the Reformation. Catholics and Orthodox hold Scripture and Tradition together as inseparable, while Protestants assert sola scriptura, that Scripture alone is the final authority. The Council of Trent and Reformation debates sharpened this difference.
How it traveled
- 1 CorinthiansEphesus · 67explains
- Against Heresies: Book IIILyons · 202explains
- The Prescription Against Heretics.— · 220explains
- The Chaplet, or De Corona.— · 220explains
- The Church History of EusebiusCaesarea · 339explains
- De Spiritu SanctoCaesarea (Cappadocia) · 379explains
- The Homilies of St. John ChrysostomConstantinople (Istanbul) · 407explains
- A Commentary on the Acts of the ApostlesConstantinople (Istanbul) · 407explains
- The Homilies of St. John Chrysostom on Philippians, Colossians, and ThessaloniansConstantinople (Istanbul) · 407explains
- The Homilies of St. John Chrysostom on Paul's Epistle to the RomansConstantinople (Istanbul) · 407explains
- The Homilies of St. John Chrysostom on the Gospel of St. JohnConstantinople (Istanbul) · 407explains
- Homilies on First CorinthiansConstantinople (Istanbul) · 407explains
- The Apology of Rufinus. Addressed to Apronianus, in Reply to Jerome's Letter to PammachiusAquileia · 411applies
- The Letters of St. JeromeBethlehem · 420explains
- Reply to Faustus the ManichæanHippo Regius · 430explains
- On Christian DoctrineHippo Regius · 430explains
- The ConfessionsHippo Regius · 430explains
- Letters of St. AugustinHippo Regius · 430explains
- City of GodHippo Regius · 430explains
- On the Morals of the Catholic ChurchHippo Regius · 430explains
- On the Profit of BelievingHippo Regius · 430explains
- A Treatise on Nature and GraceHippo Regius · 430explains
- The Commonitory of Vincent of Lérins, For the Antiquity and Universality of the Catholic Faith Against the Profane Novelties of All HeresiesLérins · 445explains
- John of Damascus: Exposition of the Orthodox FaithDamascus · 749explains
- ExordiumWittenberg · 1546explains
- Discussion: Second PartWittenberg · 1546applies
- Commentary on GalatiansWittenberg · 1546applies
- Erasmus’ ScepticismWittenberg · 1546challenges
- The Sovereignty of GodWittenberg · 1546challenges
- Book First. of the Knowledge of God the CreatorGeneva · 1564explains
Key passages(20)
Against Heresies: Book III · Irenaeus of Lyons
Book First. of the Knowledge of God the Creator · John Calvin
Book Fourth. of the Holy Catholic Church · John Calvin
Book Fourth. of the Holy Catholic Church · John Calvin
The Commonitory of Vincent of Lérins, For the Antiquity and Universality of the Catholic Faith Against the Profane Novelties of All Heresies · Vincent of Lérins
The Commonitory of Vincent of Lérins, For the Antiquity and Universality of the Catholic Faith Against the Profane Novelties of All Heresies · Vincent of Lérins
Book Fourth. of the Holy Catholic Church · John Calvin
The Commonitory of Vincent of Lérins, For the Antiquity and Universality of the Catholic Faith Against the Profane Novelties of All Heresies · Vincent of Lérins
A Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles · John Chrysostom
A Treatise on Nature and Grace · Augustine of Hippo
Against Heresies: Book III · Irenaeus of Lyons
Against Heresies: Book III · Irenaeus of Lyons
Book Fourth. of the Holy Catholic Church · John Calvin
De Spiritu Sancto · Basil of Caesarea
De Spiritu Sancto · Basil of Caesarea