What’s the Holy Tradition? See, I told you I know nothing.
The Catholic teaching — as well as historical fact — is that the deposit of Faith was delivered to the Holy Apostles prior to the books of the New Testament were written. St Jude speaks of it: “concerning your common salvation, [...] contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints” (Jude 1:3).
The Apostles initially taught orally, resorting to teaching by letter when they could not meet the audience face to face, and in 2 Thess. 2:14 plainly says that the tradition that he teaches has the same weight as the written word. Obviously, we are not talking of customs and ceremonial culture here but of the historical, apostolic method of interpreting the scripture, prayers, hymnody and iconography that together with the Scripture shape our faith since the times of the Early Church.
“However, I do want to comment on the snide, snarky, antagonistic responses from some, not all, Catholic-defenders on this thread. I’ve noticed that no matter how neutrally a couple of Protestant-defenders attempt to frame a discussion, the response is usually snide.”
Considering you’ve a;ready responded to a few threads supporting the position of Dr Ecklburg et al - - one can’t be surprised at your observation as it appears to be anything but neutral.
“Purgatory” is simply a man-made concept to promote the Catholic Church’s position far earlier in her history for getting scared people to pay the church to get their way out of Purgatory.”
“Yep. Mysticism, tyranny and superstition. Same old/same old.”
“Flee from idolatry, Alex. Rome teaches dread.”
“Such is the length Rome goes to in order to cower its members into submission.”
“Purgatory is not based upon Scripture, and it is an ungodly doctrine.”
You actually wrote a post complimenting a poster who included the last quote in her post. Sorry, but your observations don’t mean much and, in fact, are an involved participant for the “Protestant-defenders”.