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And if you are brave enough to venture any kind of rational response, try another one: in the Old Testament, and in the New Testament, who is the Final arbiter of greivances between two believers? Scripture, or the Church?

First, the word 'church' found in Matthew 16 and 18 is ekklesia - it is NOT a new creation - it existed in the 'Old Testament' as you call it. It is EXACTLY the same word used in the LXX in reference the People of God in the Wilderness at Sinai etc. God's Word could NEVER be contradicted by God, nor by the assembly of believers.

Deut 13:1-5 If there arise in the midst of you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and he give you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder come to pass, of which he spoke to you, saying, Let us go after other gods, which you have not known, and let us serve them; you shall not listen to the words of that prophet, or to that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proves you, to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. You shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and you shall serve him, and cleave to him. That prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death, because he has spoken rebellion against the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to draw you aside out of the way which the LORD your God commanded you to walk in. So shall you put away the evil from the midst of you.

Deut 4:2 You shall not add to the word which I command you, neither shall you diminish from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.

Since you think traditions trump God's Word, I am interested why ya'll do not follow the traditions of the Rabbis - after all they are MUCH older, and actually more biblical. And Y'shua told you to obey them!

Matthew 23:1-3a: Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to his disciples, saying, "The scribes and the Pharisees sat on Moses seat. All things therefore whatever they tell you to observe, observe and do..."

If y'all are going to go with the traditions of men, you have some catch up reading to do. Start with the 23-volume Talmud.