The Bible and Tradition

In this letter, I would now like to explain how the Orthodox Church understands the Bible and Tradition. These two are not in conflict—they go together, just as they always have since the time of the Apostles.

The Bible is the inspired Word of God. We believe, as the Apostle Paul wrote, “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). The Bible is central to everything we believe and do. In every service of the Church, the Holy Scriptures are read aloud and explained.

The Bible came from within the life of the Church. The New Testament did not drop down from heaven complete. It was written by the Apostles and their followers to the churches they served (for example, Paul’s letters to the Corinthians, Ephesians, and Philippians). The Church then prayerfully gathered these writings and recognized them as Holy Scripture. This is why Paul could say to the Church, “the household of God, which is the Church of the living God, the pillar and bulwark of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15).

The Apostles taught both by word and by writing. Not everything Jesus and the Apostles said was written down. John ends his Gospel by saying: “There are also many other things which Jesus did; were every one of them to be written, I suppose the world itself could not contain the books that would be written” (John 21:25). Paul also instructed the Thessalonians, “So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter” (2 Thessalonians 2:15). This means the Church has always treasured both Scripture and the living teaching (Tradition) handed down.

Tradition means the living faith of the Church. When we say “Tradition,” we do not mean human customs or inventions. We mean the living faith that has been handed down from generation to generation since the Apostles. This includes how we worship, how we pray, how we understand the Bible, and how we live as Christians. It is what Jude refers to as “the faith once delivered to the saints” (Jude 3).

The Bible and Tradition belong together. The Bible itself came from Tradition, and Tradition always agrees with the Bible. They are like two streams flowing from the same source—Christ Himself. The Holy Spirit who inspired the Scriptures also guides the Church to keep that same faith alive. Jesus promised His disciples, “The Holy Spirit ... will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you” (John 14:26).

The Orthodox Church does not see the Bible and Tradition as separate authorities, but as one living voice of God’s truth, passed down faithfully from the Apostles. When we read the Scriptures in the Church, we hear them in the same Spirit in which they were first given.

With love in Christ,
Fr. Charles

Next Letter: How Orthodoxy is different from Catholic and Protestant Churches