How does Dei verbum understand the progress of revelation?

Dei Verbum, the Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation, is a document that outlines the Catholic Church's understanding of how God reveals Himself to humanity. The document emphasizes the importance of Scripture and Tradition in understanding God's message and how it has developed over time. One of the key concepts in Dei Verbum is the idea of the progress of revelation.

According to Dei Verbum, the progress of revelation refers to the way in which God's message has been gradually revealed to humanity throughout history. This progression began with God's initial revelation to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and continued through the prophets of the Old Testament, the ministry of Jesus Christ, and the writings of the Apostles. The document also emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding the Church's understanding of God's message over time.

Dei Verbum argues that this progression of revelation does not mean that earlier revelations are incomplete or inaccurate, but rather that they lay the foundation for later revelations. For example, although the Old Testament contains many prophecies about the coming of the Messiah, it is only through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ that these prophecies are fully understood. Similarly, the teachings of the Apostles build upon the teachings of Christ, but are also guided by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

The document also emphasizes the importance of understanding God's message in its historical context. For example, the Bible contains many books that were written in a specific time and place, and understanding the cultural and historical context of these books is essential for interpreting them accurately. Dei Verbum argues that the Church has a responsibility to interpret Scripture accurately and to apply its teachings to the modern world.