The Rule of Faith, the Scripture and Tradition: A Voice in the Discussion on the Doctrine of the Holy Scripture

Sławomir Zatwardnicki

doi:10.21697/ct.2023.93.3.03

Published: 2023-08-28

Vol. 93 No. 3 (2023)

The Rule of Faith, the Scripture and Tradition: A Voice in the Discussion on the Doctrine of the Holy Scripture

Sławomir Zatwardnicki

Collectanea Theologica

Section: Articles

https://doi.org/10.21697/ct.2023.93.3.03

Abstract

The article is a voice in the discussion on the doctrine of Scripture, that is, the theological reflection on the nature, attributes and mission of Scripture. The text shows the close link between the regula fidei and Scripture and, at the same time, the impossibility of identifying the rule of faith with the biblical canon. The rule of faith has played a role in establishing the Christian canon and throughout the Church’s time serves to protect the message of Scripture. The content expressed in the rule of faith is not derived from hidden Tradition, and Tradition has become the internal principle of the New Testament and the regula fidei. The key to Scripture is the faith of the Church, one expression of which is the rule of faith. It allows us to grasp the order of the truths of faith (harmonia veritatum) and their hierarchy (hierarchia veritatum). The original rule of faith was born out of the reception of divine revelation and, together with Scripture, remains at the service of the New Covenant.

Keywords:

doctrine of the Holy Scripture, regula fidei, κανὼν τῆς πίστεως, Holy Scripture, rule of faith, Tradition, biblical canon

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Zatwardnicki, S. (2023). The Rule of Faith, the Scripture and Tradition: A Voice in the Discussion on the Doctrine of the Holy Scripture. Collectanea Theologica, 93(3), 51–87. https://doi.org/10.21697/ct.2023.93.3.03

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Sławomir Zatwardnicki

zatwardnicki@gmail.com
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7597-6604

Affiliation:

Pontifical Faculty of Theology in Wrocław Poland

Bio Statement (e.g., department and rank)

Sławomir Zatwardnicki (dr hab.) – assistant professor at the Pontifical Faculty of Theology in Wrocław. Secretary of the editorial board of “Wrocławski Przegląd Teologiczny [Wrocław Theological Review]”. Lecturer, publicist, author of numerous articles and twenty-two books; recently published: Od teologii objawienia do teologii natchnienia. Studium inspirowane twórczością Geralda O’Collinsa i Josepha Ratzingera [From the theology of revelation to the theology of inspiration. A study inspired by the work of Gerald O'Collins and Joseph Ratzinger] (Lublin 2022). Member of the Society of Dogmatic Theologians in Poland and the Association of Fundamental Theologians in Poland. Involved in evangelization and formation activities.