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Scripture and Tradition
Catholic.com ^

Posted on 06/18/2017 2:09:43 PM PDT by narses

Protestants claim the Bible is the only rule of faith, meaning that it contains all of the material one needs for theology and that this material is sufficiently clear that one does not need apostolic tradition or the Church’s magisterium (teaching authority) to help one understand it. In the Protestant view, the whole of Christian truth is found within the Bible’s pages. Anything extraneous to the Bible is simply non-authoritative, unnecessary, or wrong—and may well hinder one in coming to God.

Catholics, on the other hand, recognize that the Bible does not endorse this view and that, in fact, it is repudiated in Scripture. 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.

In the Second Vatican Council’s document on divine revelation, Dei Verbum (Latin: "The Word of God"), the relationship between Tradition and Scripture is explained: "Hence there exists a close connection and communication between sacred Tradition and sacred Scripture. For both of them, flowing from the same divine wellspring, in a certain way merge into a unity and tend toward the same end. For sacred Scripture is the word of God inasmuch as it is consigned to writing under the inspiration of the divine Spirit. To the successors of the apostles, sacred Tradition hands on in its full purity God’s word, which was entrusted to the apostles by Christ the Lord and the Holy Spirit.

"Thus, by the light of the Spirit of truth, these successors can in their preaching preserve this word of God faithfully, explain it, and make it more widely known. Consequently it is not from sacred Scripture alone that the Church draws her certainty about everything which has been revealed. Therefore both sacred Tradition and sacred Scripture are to be accepted and venerated with the same devotion and reverence."

But Evangelical and Fundamentalist Protestants, who place their confidence in Martin Luther’s theory of sola scriptura (Latin: "Scripture alone"), will usually argue for their position by citing a couple of key verses. The first is this: "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" (John 20:31). The other is this: "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be equipped, prepared for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16–17). According to these Protestants, these verses demonstrate the reality of sola scriptura (the "Bible only" theory).

Not so, reply Catholics. First, the verse from John refers to the things written in that book (read it with John 20:30, the verse immediately before it to see the context of the statement in question). If this verse proved anything, it would not prove the theory of sola scriptura but that the Gospel of John is sufficient.

Second, the verse from John’s Gospel tells us only that the Bible was composed so we can be helped to believe Jesus is the Messiah. It does not say the Bible is all we need for salvation, much less that the Bible is all we need for theology; nor does it say the Bible is even necessary to believe in Christ. After all, the earliest Christians had no New Testament to which they could appeal; they learned from oral, rather than written, instruction. Until relatively recent times, the Bible was inaccessible to most people, either because they could not read or because the printing press had not been invented. All these people learned from oral instruction, passed down, generation to generation, by the Church.

Much the same can be said about 2 Timothy 3:16-17. To say that all inspired writing "has its uses" is one thing; to say that only inspired writing need be followed is something else. Besides, there is a telling argument against claims of Evangelical and Fundamentalist Protestants. John Henry Newman explained it in an 1884 essay entitled "Inspiration in its Relation to Revelation."

Newman’s argument

He wrote: "It is quite evident that this passage furnishes no argument whatever that the sacred Scripture, without Tradition, is the sole rule of faith; for, although sacred Scripture is profitable for these four ends, still it is not said to be sufficient. The Apostle [Paul] requires the aid of Tradition (2 Thess. 2:15). Moreover, the Apostle here refers to the scriptures which Timothy was taught in his infancy.

"Now, a good part of the New Testament was not written in his boyhood: Some of the Catholic epistles were not written even when Paul wrote this, and none of the books of the New Testament were then placed on the canon of the Scripture books. He refers, then, to the scriptures of the Old Testament, and, if the argument from this passage proved anything, it would prove too much, viz., that the scriptures of the New Testament were not necessary for a rule of faith."

Furthermore, Protestants typically read 2 Timothy 3:16-17 out of context. When read in the context of the surrounding passages, one discovers that Paul’s reference to Scripture is only part of his exhortation that Timothy take as his guide Tradition and Scripture. The two verses immediately before it state: "But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus" (2 Tim. 3:14–15).

Paul tells Timothy to continue in what he has learned for two reasons: first, because he knows from whom he has learned it—Paul himself—and second, because he has been educated in the scriptures. The first of these is a direct appeal to apostolic tradition, the oral teaching which the apostle Paul had given Timothy. So Protestants must take 2 Timothy 3:16-17 out of context to arrive at the theory of sola scriptura. But when the passage is read in context, it becomes clear that it is teaching the importance of apostolic tradition!

The Bible denies that it 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).

This oral teaching was accepted by Christians, just as they accepted the written teaching that came to them later. Jesus told his disciples: "He who hears you hears me, and he who rejects you rejects me" (Luke 10:16). The Church, in the persons of the apostles, was given the authority to teach by Christ; the Church would be his representative. He commissioned them, saying, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations" (Matt. 28:19).

And how was this to be done? By preaching, by oral instruction: "So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes by the preaching of Christ" (Rom. 10:17). The Church would always be the living teacher. It is a mistake to limit "Christ’s word" to the written word only or to suggest that all his teachings were reduced to writing. The Bible nowhere supports either notion.

Further, it is clear that the oral teaching of Christ would last until the end of time. "’But the word of the Lord abides for ever.’ That word is the good news which was preached to you" (1 Pet. 1:25). Note that the word has been "preached"—that is, communicated orally. This would endure. It would not be supplanted by a written record like the Bible (supplemented, yes, but not supplanted), and would continue to have its own authority.

This is made clear when the apostle Paul tells Timothy: "[W]hat you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also" (2 Tim. 2:2). Here we see the first few links in the chain of apostolic tradition that has been passed down intact from the apostles to our own day. Paul instructed Timothy to pass on the oral teachings (traditions) that he had received from the apostle. He was to give these to men who would be able to teach others, thus perpetuating the chain. Paul gave this instruction not long before his death (2 Tim. 4:6–8), as a reminder to Timothy of how he should conduct his ministry.

What is Tradition?

In this discussion it is important to keep in mind what the Catholic Church means by tradition. The term does not refer to legends or mythological accounts, nor does it encompass transitory customs or practices which may change, as circumstances warrant, such as styles of priestly dress, particular forms of devotion to saints, or even liturgical rubrics. Sacred or apostolic tradition consists of the teachings that the apostles passed on orally through their preaching. These teachings largely (perhaps entirely) overlap with those contained in Scripture, but the mode of their transmission is different.

They have been handed down and entrusted to the Churchs. It is necessary that Christians believe in and follow this tradition as well as the Bible (Luke 10:16). The truth of the faith has been given primarily to the leaders of the Church (Eph. 3:5), who, with Christ, form the foundation of the Church (Eph. 2:20). The Church has been guided by the Holy Spirit, who protects this teaching from corruption (John 14:25-26, 16:13).

Handing on the faith

Paul illustrated what tradition is: "For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures. . . . Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed" (1 Cor. 15:3,11). The apostle praised those who followed Tradition: "I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I have delivered them to you" (1 Cor. 11:2).

The first Christians "devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching" (Acts 2:42) long before there was a New Testament. From the very beginning, the fullness of Christian teaching was found in the Church as the living embodiment of Christ, not in a book. The teaching Church, with its oral, apostolic tradition, was authoritative. Paul himself gives a quotation from Jesus that was handed down orally to him: "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35).

This saying is not recorded in the Gospels and must have been passed on to Paul. Indeed, even the Gospels themselves are oral tradition which has been written down (Luke 1:1–4). What’s more, Paul does not quote Jesus only. He also quotes from early Christian hymns, as in Ephesians 5:14. These and other things have been given to Christians "through the Lord Jesus" (1 Thess. 4:2).

Fundamentalists say Jesus condemned tradition. They note that Jesus said, "And why do you transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?" (Matt. 15:3). Paul warned, "See to it that no one makes a prey of you by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to Christ" (Col. 2:8). But these verses merely condemn erroneous human traditions, not truths which were handed down orally and entrusted to the Church by the apostles. These latter truths are part of what is known as apostolic tradition, which is to be distinguished from human traditions or customs.

"Commandments of men"

Consider Matthew 15:6–9, which Fundamentalists and Evangelicals often use to defend their position: "So by these traditions of yours you have made God’s laws ineffectual. You hypocrites, it was a true prophecy that Isaiah made of you, when he said, ‘This people does me honor with its lips, but its heart is far from me. Their worship is in vain, for the doctrines they teach are the commandments of men.’" Look closely at what Jesus said.

He was not condemning all traditions. He condemned only those that made God’s word void. In this case, it was a matter of the Pharisees feigning the dedication of their goods to the Temple so they could avoid using them to support their aged parents. By doing this, they dodged the commandment to "Honor your father and your mother" (Ex. 20:12).

Elsewhere, Jesus instructed his followers to abide by traditions that are not contrary to God’s commandments. "The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; so practice and observe whatever they tell you, but not what they do; for they preach, but do not practice" (Matt. 23:2–3).

What Fundamentalists and Evangelicals often do, unfortunately, is see the word "tradition" in Matthew 15:3 or Colossians 2:8 or elsewhere and conclude that anything termed a "tradition" is to be rejected. They forget that the term is used in a different sense, as in 1 Corinthians 11:2 and 2 Thessalonians 2:15, to describe what should be believed. Jesus did not condemn all traditions; he condemned only erroneous traditions, whether doctrines or practices, that undermined Christian truths. The rest, as the apostles taught, were to be obeyed. Paul commanded the Thessalonians to adhere to all the traditions he had given them, whether oral or written.

The indefectible Church

The task is to determine what constitutes authentic tradition. How can we know which traditions are apostolic and which are merely human? The answer is the same as how we know which scriptures are apostolic and which are merely human—by listening to the magisterium or teaching authority of Christ’s Church. Without the Catholic Church’s teaching authority, we would not know with certainty which purported books of Scripture are authentic. If the Church revealed to us the canon of Scripture, it can also reveal to us the "canon of Tradition" by establishing which traditions have been passed down from the apostles. After all, Christ promised that the gates of hell would not prevail against the Church (Matt. 16:18) and the New Testament itself declares the Church to be "the pillar and foundation of the truth" (1 Tim. 3:15).

NIHIL OBSTAT: I have concluded that the materials presented in this work are free of doctrinal or moral errors. Bernadeane Carr, STL, Censor Librorum, August 10, 2004

IMPRIMATUR: In accord with 1983 CIC 827 permission to publish this work is hereby granted. +Robert H. Brom, Bishop of San Diego, August 10, 2004


TOPICS: Apologetics; Catholic; Mainline Protestant
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To: Elsie

Glad to see you admit that Scripture Alone is not enough to make an argument.


161 posted on 06/19/2017 2:31:44 PM PDT by FatherofFive (Islam is EVIL and needs to be eradicated)
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To: FatherofFive

Yes, but when Luther accused Pope Leo X, must like Paul accused Peter, Leo excommunicated him.

So.

1: Popes can be called out.
2: Popes are fallible and sinful.
3: Therefore we must address the possibility that Leo was fallible and sinful. If this is the case, Luther was RIGHT to call him out and Leo and all future Popes were WRONG to excommunicate Luther and uphold that excommunication.

So let’s see what Scripture has to say about Luther’s arguments about salvation, shall we?

I’ve already posted the relevant verses upthread and referred to them quite a few times.


162 posted on 06/19/2017 2:32:14 PM PDT by Luircin
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To: FatherofFive

Oh, Scripture alone IS enough to make an argument... for us.

We’re just pointing out how you believe something in blatant contradiction to your own earliest theologians.

Of course, I suspect that you know that and are trying to defend yourself with snark since you can’t any other way.

Correct me if I’m wrong.


163 posted on 06/19/2017 2:36:13 PM PDT by Luircin
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To: FatherofFive

Sadly, you have yet to see that the issue is not ‘making an argument, rather it is Salvation. And yes, The Word of God declares that The word of God is sufficient to bring one ot Salvation AND keep one in God’s Hands. So, how is that done? ... The Word of God is UPHELD BY THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD. History proves God has not upheld the Catholic Org.


164 posted on 06/19/2017 3:07:30 PM PDT by MHGinTN (A dispensational perspective is a powerful tool for discernment)
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To: MHGinTN
And yes, The Word of God declares that The word of God is sufficient to bring one ot Salvation AND keep one in God’s Hands.

Scripture and verse, please.

165 posted on 06/19/2017 3:49:57 PM PDT by FatherofFive (Islam is EVIL and needs to be eradicated)
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To: Luircin
Oh, Scripture alone IS enough to make an argument... for us.

But you still cannot provide Scripture that refutes the points I make, or support the points you make.

Let's try again:

1. What does Scripture say is the foundation of Truth?

2. Where does Scripture say Scripture is all you need for Salvation?

3. Where does Christ or the Apostles say your faith and Salvation will be based on a book?

4. Where did the table of contents of the Bible come from?

And please cite Scripture in all your answers

166 posted on 06/19/2017 4:01:25 PM PDT by FatherofFive (Islam is EVIL and needs to be eradicated)
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To: FatherofFive

No.

I’ll answer your questions when you answer MY accusation about Rome blatantly defying the very words of Jesus and Paul.

Answer. Or admit that your fake church is blaspheming God by your silence.


167 posted on 06/19/2017 4:17:35 PM PDT by Luircin
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To: FatherofFive

So you have not been reading the previous posts on this thread and now want me to go get them for you? Typical


168 posted on 06/19/2017 5:22:26 PM PDT by MHGinTN (A dispensational perspective is a powerful tool for discernment)
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To: FatherofFive
Are you still so dense? The assertion is that the scriptures are sufficient to bring one to Salvation. You asked, "2. Where does Scripture say Scripture is all you need for Salvation?" If you are unable to see how you have twisted the assertion then you will likely not get any of the scripture TRUTH posted on this thread.

Additionally, The Word of God is The Book, The Bible. Try to keep up.

169 posted on 06/19/2017 5:26:17 PM PDT by MHGinTN (A dispensational perspective is a powerful tool for discernment)
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To: FatherofFive

You are a father of five and cannot grow up beyond playing games of taunting? Whew, this might be a short thread at this rate.


170 posted on 06/19/2017 5:27:55 PM PDT by MHGinTN (A dispensational perspective is a powerful tool for discernment)
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To: Luircin
I’ll answer your questions when you answer MY accusation about Rome blatantly defying the very words of Jesus and Paul.

Please state your specific questions.

Interesting you refuse to address the topic of this thread - Sola Scriptura. You refuse to address the questions raised, and look to change the topic

171 posted on 06/19/2017 7:11:43 PM PDT by FatherofFive (Islam is EVIL and needs to be eradicated)
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To: MHGinTN
You are a father of five and cannot grow up beyond playing games of taunting? Whew, this might be a short thread at this rate.

BS. You refuse to answer simple questioms

172 posted on 06/19/2017 7:13:14 PM PDT by FatherofFive (Islam is EVIL and needs to be eradicated)
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To: MHGinTN
Try to keep up.

You cannot answer simple questions

173 posted on 06/19/2017 7:16:20 PM PDT by FatherofFive (Islam is EVIL and needs to be eradicated)
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To: FatherofFive

No. YOU brought up Sola Scriptura. And you are demanding answers from me when you refuse to answer my accusations.

So here. Answer this.

Read these passages.

Ephesians 2: 8-9.
All of Galatians 3.
John 6: 25-29.
All of Romans 3

You Catholics teach and preach salvation in blatant contradiction to the VERY WORDS of the Apostle Paul AND Jesus himself. You teach that works are necessary, when Scripture itself says that it is grace through faith that saves APART from works.

This isn’t even like your fatuous argument about what James wrote. (FYI: James specified the definition of ‘faith’ that he was using. James uses the definition of ‘faith’ that the antinomians used, which means nothing more than intellectual acknowledgement. This is not the same as Paul’s definition of ‘faith.’ So let me just nip that Catholic talking point in the bud.)

These are four passages that the very foundation of Christian faith is based upon.

Your doctrines teach in stark opposition to the teachings of Jesus AND the Apostle Paul.

Therefore, your church is a fallen church.

A fake.

A lie.

Jesus has removed your lampstand. The ‘Church that Jesus founded’ is no longer a church and has NO salvation in its official teachings.

Answer that.

Or be silent or change the subject, and in doing so, admit that you follow a blasphemous anti-church.


174 posted on 06/19/2017 7:19:58 PM PDT by Luircin
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To: Luircin
Answer. Or admit that your fake church is blaspheming God by your silence.

you cannot answer my simple questions so you continue to obfuscate.

175 posted on 06/19/2017 7:20:50 PM PDT by FatherofFive (Islam is EVIL and needs to be eradicated)
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To: Luircin
You teach that works are necessary

No. Scripture teaches that.

(James 2:24) - "You see that a man is justified by works, and not by faith alone."

176 posted on 06/19/2017 7:26:44 PM PDT by FatherofFive (Islam is EVIL and needs to be eradicated)
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To: Luircin; FatherofFive
Or admit that your fake church is blaspheming God by your silence.

That is one of the most idiotic statements I have ever read.

177 posted on 06/19/2017 7:29:00 PM PDT by ebb tide (We have a rogue curia in Rome)
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To: Luircin
You teach that works are necessary

That is what Scripture teaches

(James 2:24) - "You see that a man is justified by works, and not by faith alone."

178 posted on 06/19/2017 7:29:42 PM PDT by FatherofFive (Islam is EVIL and needs to be eradicated)
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To: Luircin
No. YOU brought up Sola Scriptura.

Duh. That was the topic of this thread

179 posted on 06/19/2017 7:32:49 PM PDT by FatherofFive (Islam is EVIL and needs to be eradicated)
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To: FatherofFive

HA.

And that shows that you didn’t even read my post, because I already ADDRESSED that.

Hell, you didn’t even read all four passages where Paul says the exact opposite. Oh, and Jesus too.

Thank you for admitting that you are following a lie.


180 posted on 06/19/2017 7:37:21 PM PDT by Luircin
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