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In times when doctrinal confusion and the relativization of truth seem to gain ground, it is crucial to return to the essentials: Divine Revelation. What exactly is it? How has it manifested throughout history? Can it change over time? These questions are not only fundamental to our faith but also help us anchor our lives in the eternal truth of God.
What Is Divine Revelation?
Divine Revelation is the act by which God makes Himself known to humanity. It is not merely a collection of religious ideas or a cultural tradition passed down through generations; it is God Himself communicating with us. As the Letter to the Hebrews states:
“In many and various ways God spoke of old to our fathers by the prophets; but in these last days, He has spoken to us by a Son” (Heb 1:1-2).
God has spoken, and He has done so definitively in Jesus Christ. Revelation is not an evolving dialogue or a set of ideas that adapt to each era, but a sacred deposit of truth entrusted to the Church to be safeguarded and transmitted without alteration.
The Two Sources of Revelation: Scripture and Tradition
Divine Revelation has been transmitted to us through two inseparable means:
- Sacred Scripture: The written Word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit, containing everything necessary for our salvation.
- Sacred Tradition: The living transmission of the faith from the Apostles, even preceding Scripture in some aspects, which ensures its correct interpretation.
Both are intimately linked and have been entrusted to the Magisterium of the Church, whose mission is to safeguard and explain them without altering the content of the faith.
What Is Not Divine Revelation?
In a world where people speak of “doctrinal evolution” and reinterpretations of the faith, it is essential to clarify what is NOT Divine Revelation:
- The Magisterium of the Church is not Revelation itself. It is the authority responsible for interpreting and faithfully transmitting it, but it cannot invent new doctrines.
- The personal opinions of theologians, bishops, or even popes do not constitute Revelation. Only when the Magisterium teaches definitively in communion with Tradition and Scripture is it a binding teaching.
- “New revelations” or private revelations do not add to the Deposit of Faith. They may help us live the Gospel better (such as approved Marian apparitions), but they cannot modify what has already been revealed.
Can Divine Revelation Change?
This is a key question in our time. Some argue that the Church must “adapt to the times” and modify its doctrine according to modern culture. However, this is a grave error.
God is eternal, and His truth does not depend on the trends or philosophical currents of each era. As Psalm 119:89 says:
“Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.”
This does not mean that the Church should not respond to the challenges of the modern world, but that it must always do so with fidelity to Revelation, without altering its essence.
A Concrete Example: The Doctrine on Marriage and Family
A clear example of the immutability of Revelation is found in the teaching on marriage. From Genesis to the New Testament, Revelation has affirmed that marriage is the union between a man and a woman, open to life, and a sign of Christ’s love for His Church.
Despite cultural pressures, the Church has no authority to change this teaching because it is not hers, but God’s. As Christ said:
“What God has joined together, let no man separate” (Mt 19:6).
Here we see clearly that Revelation is not an opinion that can be modified but an objective truth given by God.
How to Live by Revelation Today?
In a society that rejects absolute truths, being faithful to Revelation is a challenge. However, it is an exciting call that makes us participants in God’s plan. Some key ways to live by Revelation today include:
- Educating ourselves in the faith, studying Scripture, the Catechism, and the teachings of the Magisterium.
- Not being swayed by ideological currents that seek to reinterpret the faith according to human interests.
- Asking the Holy Spirit for discernment and faithfulness, because only with His light can we remain firm in the truth.
Conclusion: An Anchor in the Storm
Divine Revelation is the anchor that keeps us firm amid relativism and confusion. It is not a human idea in evolution but the eternal Word of God, given to us in Christ and faithfully transmitted by the Church.
At a time when many seek to accommodate the faith to their own desires, remembering that God’s truth does not change is more necessary than ever. As Jesus said:
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away” (Mt 24:35).
Living according to Revelation is living in truth, and only in truth do we find authentic freedom.
