In this book Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI, explains the nature of the Bible as the Word of God, and the important teaching of how the divine Word is also present in Tradition. He explains the crucial role of the Bishop as interpreter of the Word of God and custodian of Tradition in the Church. This is a frank, yet open exploration of the Catholic understanding of God's Word presented in a collection of classic essays by the brilliant teacher and writer who became Pope Benedict XVI.