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To: GonzoII

This begins with an inappropriate use of Article 6. That article is about doctrine, not tradition. The point is that all doctrine should be rooted in the teachings of the prophets, apostles and the Lord Himself.

This does not mean Protestants and Anglicans reject tradition. Absolutley not. Tradition allows us to learn from great Christians of the past. It also allows us to learn how the Church address challenges in the past.

Tradition, however, should not be used to hold the Church back when advancing the Gospel.


4 posted on 07/31/2010 6:31:58 AM PDT by bobjam
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To: bobjam
Is this an accurate quote of the Article: "Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary, so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man"?

If so, how can you say that it does not reject tradition?

For example. Let us say someone would argue that there is not such thing as free will, and point out that free will is not the words used anywhere in the Bible, while God's sovereignty over our acts can easily be found in the Bible. (I don't mean to re-argue that questionable point here, simply give an example of someone basing his view on his opinion of the Scripture). Let us further say, I find a chapter in Irenaeus where he, a 2 century doctor of the Church, teaches free will in no uncertain terms.

If we go by Article 6, my argument would be invalid, because my opponent would be free to pit his reading of the scripture against St. Irenaeus's. In other words, whatever St. Irenaeus has to say only matters insofar as he quotes and explains the scripture, and I could do exactly as good a job by quoting and explaining the same scripture myself. The historical fact that a doctor of the Church in 2c held these views would be irrelevant.

But to a Catholic a mere fact that St. Ireneaus has a chapter on free will in his seminal book closes the matter. That book is the teaching of the Church, so whoever holds a different opinion is in error. (Unless, of course, someone can prove that that particular view of St. Irenaeus is a rare aberration and cite an overwhelming view of other doctors and councils to the contrary).

Article 6 therefore does reject tradition as a source of doctrine. That article is illogical, counterscriptural, and has lead many to heresy and error.

By the way, this is not a contrived example: St. Irenaeus on Free Will (Adversus Haereses IV,37)

5 posted on 07/31/2010 7:31:24 AM PDT by annalex (http://www.catecheticsonline.com/CatenaAurea.php)
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To: bobjam
"Tradition, however, should not be used to hold the Church back when advancing the Gospel."

It is apparent that you've misunderstood the term "Tradition" in the sense used in the Gospels. Seeing that both are of Divine origin the one cannot "hold...back" the other. Indeed as a boat will not get as far in the water with one oar, the second oar far from holding back the progress of the boat, helps it reach its destination much more smoothly.

The whole Gospel can but advance with Tradition.

6 posted on 07/31/2010 8:30:28 AM PDT by GonzoII ("That they may be one...Father")
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