The Church has preserved Apostolic Tradition. Furthermore, the Scriptures make no claim that Scripture alone is authoritative, and so to assert the doctrine of Sola Scriptura is to assert a doctrine that contradicts itself.
http://orthodoxinfo.com/inquirers/tca_solascriptura.aspx
Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word [i.e. oral tradition] or our epistle (II Thessalonians 2:15).
The word here translated “traditions” is the Greek word paradosis — which, though translated differently in some Protestant versions, is the same word that the Greek Orthodox use when speaking of Tradition, and few competent Bible scholars would dispute this meaning. The word itself literally means “what is transmitted.” It is the same word used when referring negatively to the false teachings of the Pharisees (Mark 7:3, 5, 8), and also when referring to authoritative Christian teaching (I Corinthians 11:2, Second Thessalonians 2:15). So what makes the tradition of the Pharisees false and that of the Church true? The source! Christ made clear what was the source of the traditions of the Pharisees when He called them “the traditions of men” (Mark 7:8). Saint Paul on the other hand, in reference to Christian Tradition states, “I praise you brethren, that you remember me in all things and hold fast to the traditions [paradoseis] just as I delivered [paredoka, a verbal form of paradosis] them to you” (First Corinthians 11:2), but where did he get these traditions in the first place? “I received from the Lord that which I delivered [paredoka] to you” (first Corinthians 11:23). This is what the Orthodox Church refers to when it speaks of the Apostolic Tradition — “the Faith once delivered [paradotheise] unto the saints” (Jude 3). Its source is Christ, it was delivered personally by Him to the Apostles through all that He said and did, which if it all were all written down, “the world itself could not contain the books that should be written” (John 21:25). The Apostles delivered this knowledge to the entire Church, and the Church, being the repository of this treasure thus became “the pillar and ground of the Truth” (I Timothy 3:15).
The testimony of the New Testament is clear on this point: the early Christians had both oral and written traditions which they received from Christ through the Apostles. For written tradition they at first had only fragments — one local church had an Epistle, another perhaps a Gospel. Gradually these writings were gathered together into collections and ultimately they became the New Testament. And how did these early Christians know which books were authentic and which were not — for (as already noted) there were numerous spurious epistles and gospels claimed by heretics to have been written by Apostles? It was the oral Apostolic Tradition that aided the Church in making this determination.
“the Scriptures make no claim that Scripture alone is authoritative”
Sola Scriptura is not about the Bible being the only authority. Indeed, the Bible repeatedly instructs to submit to God-ordained authority in the home, government, church, and even social structures. Rather, it is about the sufficiency of the Bible, and that the Bible is above all of these other authorities. This is why the apostles said it is better to obey God than man.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Notice that scripture enables God’s people to be “thoroughly furnished”, not minimally, not partially. God’s word is sufficient. Can Bible teaching be good? Yes. Can Christian books and films and music help? Sure. Can studying language help? Of course. The Bible is after all communicated through language. But ultimately it is the Bible itself that is the standard of truth and the final authority of matters of Christian living and church “tradition”.
” ‘the Faith once delivered [paradotheise] unto the saints’ (Jude 3). Its source is Christ, it was delivered personally by Him to the Apostles through all that He said and did, which if it all were all written down, ‘the world itself could not contain the books that should be written’ (John 21:25). “
John 20:29-31
Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.
The very passage you cite supports the sufficiency of scripture. The passage also indicates it would be impossible to convey ALL that Christ said and did. Do you purport that the church can convey ALL that Christ said and did? It seems you are plainly contradicting John and saying that what he wrote is not enough for people to believe and receive eternal life.
“So what makes the tradition of the Pharisees false and that of the Church true? The source! “
It is the source. But the difference is not between traditions of men and traditions of the church. It is traditions of men versus the traditions of the apostles. There is a huge difference.
What is laughable is how the article you linked to about Sola Scriptura takes great pains to point how all of the churches disagree as being proof they are wrong. And yet you are asserting, just like the Catholics assert, that your church is the one church that gets it right and even CANNOT get it wrong. Every church I have ever been part of or even visited makes the same sort of assertions about learning the languages and history involved to better understand the scriptures. The Orthodox and Catholic churches do not have a monopoly on church history.
Believers today only have apostolic authority when they teach what the apostles delivered to us in the Bible and practice what it says.
Lots of man made traditions have been added to what the apostles gave the church during their lives. These are not authoritative not mandatory. And when they contradict the Bible, they are just wrong.