in all things, charity.
I'm so glad you said that. Thank you! I don't know why Catholics or nonCatholics believe that posts filled with venom can possibly be perceived as bearing any Truth. If no fruits of the Spirit (Gal 5) are manifest, seems to me the poster has already forfeited credibility. So it becomes more about throwing stones than behaving like children of the same Father.
May Christ's peace reign in your heart always.
The Apostle Paul remanded the Thessalonians in II Thess. 2:15, to, "So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.". So we know that the "traditions" he was referring to were his teachings which he both preached to them in person or wrote to them in his epistles - as well as his other epistles and those of the other Apostles which were also distributed among the local churches. Paul also praised the believers at Corinth who he said, "I praise you for remembering everything I told you and for holding to the traditions that I passed on to you." (I Cor. 11:2).
But Jesus frequently rebuked the religious leaders of the Jews for distorting the word of God BY their traditions, he said in Mark 7:8, "For you ignore God's law and substitute your own tradition." This same thing can happen with religious leaders today and we must be mindful of what the Scriptures say as well as listen to the leading of the Holy Spirit within our hearts. If we are members of the Body of Christ, are believers in Him, we have the indwelling Holy Spirit and we will be given discernment to know truth from error.
As to your contention about capital "T" Tradition versus small "t" tradition, part of being able to "rightly divide the word of truth" as Paul said would come from studying the Bible, we will be able to know the difference. Like I said, I have no problem at all with traditions of various churches with regard to liturgy, order of worship, leadership set ups, songs, etc., but Scripture is always the authority and guide even with these issues.
For example, the Corinthian church had a serious problem with some in the church boasting of their gift of "tongues" and they caused confusion and discord because they were not discerning about God's purpose for the gift. Paul had to teach them the proper place and time for using the gift as well as who and what it was to benefit. - and it was NEVER to glorify the one doing the speaking. I fully understand and accept that through the centuries the Christian faith community developed as it met challenges from within and without. Those who had been gifted with the grace of leadership were set up as the pastors and overseers of the congregation and they had an enormous responsibility to not only know the Scriptures but to be fully committed to the care of their flock. Added to that in the first century was the constant persecution they all faced but it only served to strengthen the faith and endurance of those who lived on and continued to spread the faith far and wide. God guided and encouraged those first believers and the Christian faith grew as the years progressed.
I don't think there is a real "arbitrary line" regarding what we can know is tradition and Tradition. I think God tells us what is essential through His word and the Holy Spirit is who leads and guides to further explain and teach the truths He has revealed. You have mentioned the Holy Spirit several times now regarding His "Godhead". There are ample Scriptures that inform us of His nature, being, purpose and actions so we are not left to our own devices trying to figure it all out. Even in the first century, the believers knew this because they had the teachings of Jesus as well as the Apostles. I do not think the written Epistles were the first time they heard of the truths presented but they were written for the benefit of those who would come after the Apostles died as well as for those still alive - for their encouragement and edification just as us today. After the first thousand years passed, there WAS error that crept in and it was allowed to remain which blurred the line between what was Scriptural and what was man-made tradition. The tradition turned into Tradition and was given an equality WITH Scripture. It is this kind of error that Jesus rebuked and we must all be on guard against even today.
Finally, I think we should all strive to speak the truth in love as much as lies in us. Those who can't find it in themselves to "Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." (Col. 4:6) should refrain from commenting on some threads until they can do so without the "venom". I agree with you, it turns people off. I'm not perfect, God isn't finished with me yet, but I DO try.
Blessings and peace to you and yours.