'What forms does the word of God assume ? How can we understand this manifestation ? How can we listen to his speech ?... It must be understood in all cultures and traditions, even if these are quite different from that in which it was first formulated' (Author's Introduction).
This book is a thorough exploration of the Council's thought on the nature and scope of divine revelation and the relationship of scripture to the tradition of the community. To make this exploration Cardinal Bea follows the outline of the Constitution on Divine Revelation itself. But for all its attention to the structure and statements of the document this book is more than a commentary. It takes the reader into a consideration of the relevance of the Constitution not only for Catholics but also for other Christians and for all mankind.
The author is doubly qualified for such a task. Firstly he has long been recognized as a scripture scholar in his own right and was himself influential in shaping the Constitution. Secondly the Cardinal is known for his work in the Secretariat of Christian Unity, of which he is president, and for his deep sensitivity to the needs of mankind, for which he was awarded the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade in 1966.