[irishtenor]

***The criteria was whether it was in accord with oral tradition passed from Christ,the Apostles, and the Church Fathers.*** The criteria was if it agreed with the OT and if it was the word taught by Jesus. It has nothing to do with oral tradition. Tradition fails miserably, just ask the Pharasies.

[IGNATIUS]

Until the NT books were written and finally selected the venue for the lessons,works,life,and commands of our Lord was word of mouth--- ie oral tradition.This was of course supported by the OT,but traditions of the Pharisees are really irrelevant to this issue.

After the NT canon was determined it would be some 1000 years before a few people began to have printed Bibles available in their own language.The laity relied on the Church to read Scriptures to them and explain their meaning and application to daily life.But now we have several hundred million popes like yourself who make their own private interpretations of scripture and sometimes form new denominations.