"What came first the oral teachings of Christ and the apostles or the Bible?"
When I first read your post, I misunderstood, and want to clarify what, upon reflection, I think you're saying. The answer to this question is that the oral teachings of Christ and the apostles (i.e. tradition) came before the writings of the New Testament and their subsequent gathering into the canon. So, you're saying that the Catholic position concerning Mary, which was formalized into doctrine MUCH later (parts of it as late as late 1800's or early 1900's, I believe), were actually beliefs that arose out of very early oral tradition, and are therefore not new, not a change to our faith, but supported by evidence from the earliest days of Christianity. Is that correct?
As for myself, I have a funny, very personal belief about theological controversies-- I believe that if I need to have a defined belief on them, if I need to know the truth, that God will tell me. If He hasn't done that, which He hasn't in this case, then I don't need to know, I don't need to have a position. :) I do believe, however, that He has told some other folks the truth-- I suspect He's told the Catholics, but again, I just don't know for sure. :-D
Jesus is the Church and the Church teachs with His authority.
With all due respect, the reason you do not hear God is you do not appear to have, yet, stooped to the same humility the Theotokos modeled for us as an example.
Saul, why do you persecute me
He that heareth you, heareth me
*With all due respect, brother, I really do not find it convincing that each protestant approaches Holy Writ with an open mind. Most protestants have been reared by protestants parents who have, knowingly or not, been recipients of an oral protestant tradition predicated on opposition to the Church Jesus established.
The kernel of Catholic ponderings on the Mother of God is rooted in Luke Chapter 1. Besides, although the original deposit of faith closed with the death of the last apostle, the Holy Spirit never has ceased to give the Church a deeper understanding of the Sacred Mysteries found in the pages of Scripture.
Did a voice speak this to you from heaven? Where are you getting this belief?
-A8