Tradition and Scripture go hand in hand. That’s something Protestants can’t seem to grasp. The true “rule of faith”—as expressed in the Bible itself—is Scripture plus apostolic Tradition, as manifested in the living teaching authority of the Catholic Church, to which were entrusted the oral teachings of Jesus and the apostles, along with the authority to interpret Scripture correctly. The Bible denies that scripture is sufficient as the complete rule of faith. Paul says that much Christian teaching is to be found in the tradition which is handed down by word of mouth (2 Tim. 2:2). He instructs us to “stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter” (2 Thess. 2:15).
Matthew 15:1-8 "Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked, “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat!” Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’ But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is ‘devoted to God,’ they are not to ‘honor their father or mother’ with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: “ ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’”
Traditions are good for remembering how to worship the Creator but can never supplant His Word. Rely on what is written in scripture and you can never go wrong. Rely on man and you will almost invariably fail.
Psalm 118:8 "It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man."
This is what "tradition" gets you...equating Mary with the Spirit and the Son. It is why Christianity rejects the Roman Catholic claim of "sacred tradition" being equal to that of Scripture.
| Second Vatican Council (Lumen gentium ## 61-62) For this reason, the Blessed Virgin is invoked in the Church under the titles of: | New Testament |
| Advocate | My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; 2and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world. 1 John 2:1-2 NASB |
| Auxiliatrix [Latin for helper, aide] | "But the Helper [paraklétos, GR, (a) an advocate, intercessor, (b) a consoler, comforter, helper, (c) Paraclete.], the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. John 14:26 NASB |
| Mediatrix [earliest reference is 4th century as applied to Mary] | 5For there is one God, and one mediator [mesités, GR, properly, an arbitrator ("mediator"), guaranteeing the performance of all the terms stipulated in a covenant (agreement). In the NT this is only applied to Christ] also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time. 1 Timothy 2:5-6 NASB |
Bible quotes from NASB
RCC position on Mary from https://www.ewtn.com/faith/teachings/marya4.htm
But as evidenced in many of my prior posts, Roman Catholicism continues to add,and wants to continue to add, to these false titles to Mary.
In August 1996, a Mariological Congress was held in Częstochowa, Poland, where a commission was established in response to a request of the Holy See. The congress sought the opinion of scholars present there regarding the possibility of proposing a fifth Marian dogma on Mary as Co-Redemptrix, Mediatrix, and Advocate.
The commission unanimously declared that it was not opportune, voting 23-0 against the proposed dogma.[23][24] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Co-Redemptrix
It was not opportune?? Wait a second. If it is truth it is truth....whether the time is opportune or not.
Like so much of the history of the Marian dogmas, Rome has to give it enough time and votes to declare something.
That Rome is hesitant to declare this should be the thing that tells a Roman Catholic this is not legitimate.
There is also currently under petition a Fifth Marian dogma.http://www.fifthmariandogma.com/
If it is truth and so widely believed....why does Rome have to conduct an opinion poll on this or garner support to pass this??
The Roman Catholic reliance upon Mary and the invocation of Mary in the roles noted above and desired in the Fifth Marian dogma clearly state one thing: a complete lack of faith in the sufficiency of Christ.
That should scare a Roman Catholic to following Christ and Christ alone for their salvation.
The Bible denies that scripture is sufficient as the complete rule of faith.
You might want to re-read all of 2 Timothy and keep things in context.
14You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;
17so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:14-17 NASB
Paul says that much Christian teaching is to be found in the tradition which is handed down by word of mouth (2 Tim. 2:2).
No,. Paul says the following:
You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 2 Timothy 2:1-2 NASB
He instructs us to “stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter” (2 Thess. 2:15).
The problem is....no Roman Catholic is able to tell us exactly what those "traditions" are. And we have asked many, many times.
However, if you continue to read 2 Thessalonians Paul gives some insight as to what those "traditions" are.
6Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from every brother who leads an unruly life and not according to the tradition which you received from us. 7For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example, because we did not act in an undisciplined manner among you, 8nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with labor and hardship we kept working night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you; 9not because we do not have the right to this, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you, so that you would follow our example. 10For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either. 11For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies. 12Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to work in quiet fashion and eat their own bread. 13But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary of doing good.
14If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of that person and do not associate with him, so that he will be put to shame. 15Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15 NASB
Note also Paul's statement in v14.
Scripture is the final authority upon which Christianity is based.
So what are those traditions?
How do you know they were taught by the apostles?
How do you know that they were passed down faithfully, without corruption?
Please provide verification for your claims.