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Should Christians rely on the Bible or tradition for doctrine? While too manyclaim that it's from the Bible, others claims that the Bible is not superior tovaried traditions. The Church of Rome, the group with the largest amount ofadherents that claim Christ state that they accept that doctrine comes from theLiving Magisterium which is basically a combination of the portions of the Bibleand its own traditions that the leadership has decided is important. Officiallyaccording to Vatican II, the Roman Catholic Church bases its teachings on what hasbeen called: Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition (Dogmatic Constitution onDivine Revelation, Dei Verbum #9, Vatican Council II. As quoted in Birch D.A.Trial, Tribulation & Triumph. p.5).Part of the reason for this is based on the findings of the Council of Trent thatwas held in the mid 16th Century. The Catholic Encyclopedia reports: The Council,as is evident, held that there are Divine traditions not contained in HolyScripture, revelations made to the Apostles either orally by Jesus Christ or bythe inspiration of the Holy Ghost and transmitted by the Apostles to the Church.Holy Scripture is therefore not the only theological source of the Revelation madeby God to His Church. Side by side with Scripture there is tradition, side by sidewith the written revelation there is the oral revelation. This granted, it isimpossible to be satisfied with the Bible alone for the solution of all dogmaticquestions (Bainvel J. Transcribed by Tomas Hancil. Tradition and LivingMagisterium. The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume XV, Copyright © 1912 by RobertAppleton Company. Online Edition Copyright © 2003 by K. Knight Nihil. Obstat,October 1, 1912. Remy Lafort, S.T.D.,John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of NewYork).Also the Eastern Orthodox Church takes a similar position and places a very highopinion on tradition (Ware T. The Orthodox Church. Penguin Book, St. Ives p.195-207). The Roman Catholic, as well as Orthodox, position seems to be that sinceduring most of the time the original Apostles were alive there was not a completeNew Testament, that the early church relied heavily on oral teachings (which itoften calls traditions or oral revelations) transmitted by Jesus and the Apostles.And this is of course true. The fact is that many pre-Nicene Catholics rushed inand published many error filled writings, shortly after the departing of theApostles! Yet, this does not replace the fact that today we have completed bibles.And in fact within a short time after the last Apostle died, there were completedbibles, this is a fact. There is nothing wrong with tradition that is scripturallybased. Let's look at the Protestant views on bible and tradition. They scholarsoften appeal to tradition. Mormon's and Seventh Day Adventist's in particular dothis. In order to provide scriptural proof for the position of the value oftradition, Catholic and Orthodox writers often point out certain writings of theApostles John, Peter, and Paul. These writings should be viewed and examined. Forexample, John wrote, This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrotethese things; and we know that his testimony is true. And there are also manyother things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose thateven the world itself could not contain the books that would be written" (John21:24-25)The above verse does make it clear that Jesus did (from the Greek word poieo "tomake or do") many things not recorded in the written gospel accounts. Though itmust be understood that it does not say that Jesus taught many things that wereessential, but not written.Peter wrote, That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by theholy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour(2 Peter 3:2).It should be noted that the people were mindful of the words of the holy prophets(such as Moses) because they were taught from scripture in the synagogues eachweek (Acts 15:15-21). Not just from an oral tradition of the prophets. Thus, this
 
verse is not teaching tradition in the sense that many Catholics seem tounderstand it.Paul wrote, "13. For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because whenyou received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as theword of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively worksin you who believe. 14. For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of Godwhich are in Judea in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 2:13-14).It is interesting to note that what Paul is saying he taught orally made theGentile church in Thessalonica"imitators of the churches of God which are inJudea". That would suggest that Paul was teaching that the Gentile Christiansshould follow the practices of the Jewish Christians. When referring to 1Thessalonians 2, many writers who support tradition seem to leave off vs. 14.Paul also wrote, But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord JesusChrist, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and notaccording to the tradition which he received from us (2 Thessalonians 3:6). Andthe things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these tofaithful men who will be able to teach others also (2 Timothy 2:2).Furthermore, he wrote "Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in allthings and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you" (1 Corinthians11:2).In those verses, it is clear that Paul is saying that Christians should payattention to the tradition that he and other church leaders taught. But does thatmean that tradition is on equal or superior footing to the Bible?Certain Catholic writings suggest so, such as Dei Verbum #9 from the VaticanCouncil II, ...both Scripture and Tradition must be accepted and honored withequal feelings of devotion and reverence (As quoted in Birch D.A. Trial,Tribulation & Triumph; p.5).One Orthodox bishop wrote, ...to an Orthodox Christian, Tradition means...thebooks of the Bible; it means the Creed; it means the decrees of the EcumenicalCouncils and writings of the Fathers; it means the Canons, the Service Books, theHoly Icons -- in fact the whole system of doctrine (Ware, p. 196).One biblical verse that seems to support the concept of tradition was also writtenby Paul, Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you weretaught, whether by word or our epistle (2 Thessalonians 2:15).What Paul seems to be saying is that Christians should follow what they weretaught whether orally in person or by writing. But by whom? Paul had some concernsabout words and epistles, ...we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind ortroubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though theday of Christ had come. Let no one deceive you by any means (2 Thessalonians 2:1-3).Apparently, some pretended to write or claimed to have oral teachings as if fromPaul and the apostles, but they were false. Hence, this seems to be a warningagainst false teachings. And that is the primary concern about oral tradition. Andthat is, does the oral tradition contain deceptive or anti-biblical information?For if it does, it should not be heeded.Paul wrote to Timothy, ...you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able tomake you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scriptureis 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 (2 Timothy 3:15-17).It should be noted that Paul referred to the scriptures as "Holy" (hieros in theGreek, meaning sacred) a term never used in the Bible to refer to tradition.(There is another Greek term, hagios, that is also translated as "holy" in theBible that possibly can also mean sacred. It is also used to denote scriptures asholy {Romans 1:2} as well as what God's prophets taught {Luke 1:70; Acts 3:21; 2Peter 3:2; Revelation 22:6}--which was written down in scripture (e.g. John 10:35;Acts 13:40-41; Acts 28:25-27; Romans 16:26; 2 Peter 1:20; Revelation 22:7,18-19}.)Notice that Paul makes it clear that doctrine comes from the scriptures and thatthe scriptures themselves are there so "that the man of God may be complete".Note that tradition is not needed for the man of God to be complete nor needed tobe "thoroughly equipped for every good work".Also note that the Holy Scriptures themselves, and not tradition, are able to makeone "wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus". Thus, perhaps themost dogmatic issues in the Bible CAN be determined from the Bible WITHOUTtradition.Paul also taught, Preach the word in season, and out of season! (2 Timothy 4:2) Sothen faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17).Notice that hearing (and even faith) comes from the word of God, not traditions.Paul wrote that his traditions never contradicted his letters-Let such a personconsider this, that what we are in word by letters when we are absent, such wewill also be in deed when we are present (2 Corinthians 10:11). It is alsoimportant to note that Peter refers to Paul's letters as scripture (2 Peter 3:15-16).When Paul taught (even though he did learn some things directly from Jesus) henormally based his teachings on the scriptures, Then Paul, as his custom was, wentin to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures (Acts17:2).It is interesting to note that Paul also taught; Not that we have dominion overyour faith, but are fellow workers for your joy; for by faith you stand (2Corinthians 1:24).This suggests that he was teaching that his (or any other apostles) oral teachingsdo not have dominion over scripture.Paul also warned about tradition! Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophyand empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basicprinciples of the world, and not according to Christ (Colossians 2:8).This warning from Paul seems to be saying that traditions that are "not accordingto Christ" may deceive some and that Christians need to be on guard against it.Traditions that contradict biblical instruction cannot be considered "according toChrist".Paul also warned that there are: ...are false apostles, deceitful workers,transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himselftransforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if hisministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end
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acts2and38

Traditions properly put are fine. Yet God is to be honored above all things. Rev 22:18-19 states that clearly.

reply07 / 26 / 2009
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