Statement on Revelation, Scripture and Tradition
Presbyterian & Reformed-Roman Catholic Dialogue
1966
The
discussions of the theological section [of the dialogue] were based upon the
“position papers” of Dr. Schmidt and Father McKenzie. It is not possible to do justice to the
learning and subtlety of these analyses or to the discussion itself in a
summary statement. Some stereotypes were broken down and some common problems
clarified. Continuing divergences were also identified.
It was
agreed that the one divine source and substance of revelation is God in Christ.
In the view of each, He communicates Himself or is transmitted both through our
common Holy Scripture and through the continuing teaching and preaching (the
tradition) of the Church. The Reformed acknowledged the indispensability of
this continuing transmission and exposition of the Gospel in and by the Church.
Sola Scriptura should be understood
as functioning within this context. The Roman Catholics acknowledge a normative
character to the Scriptural testimony to Christ in their tradition, although
there are some teachings (e.g. as concerning Mary) whose Scriptural basis is
problematical. There is thus an agreement on the mutual inclusion or “coinherence” of Scripture and ecclesiastical tradition.
Within this
consensus the most conspicuous divergences seemed to be related to the Church’s
teaching role and office. The Reformed questioned whether the Roman Catholic
Church was in fact always faithful to Scripture and subject to it. The Roman
Catholics questioned whether the Reformed were not subject to irregular and
arbitrary claimants of teaching authority. The Roman Catholic teaching
authority seemed to be more specifically located and to be accorded more
authority than proper in the view of the Reformed. In the Roman Catholic view
the Reformed teaching authority seemed very indefinite and uncertain.
The section
wishes to continue the analysis of the elements of continuity and change in the
continuing tradition of the Church and the exposition of Scripture down the
centuries. The topic is stated as “The Development (or Reform) of Doctrine.”