Is the Bible alone sufficient for spiritual truth?

Question

Should tradition of the church be on the same level as the Scriptures? What does the Bible say about tradition? How did Jesus and the apostles view Scripture and tradition?

Answer 1

Tradition is what the religious leaders of Jesus' day were castigated for. He said this to them, "He told them, "Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites. As it is written, 'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is empty, because they teach human rules as doctrines.' You abandon the commandment of God and hold to human tradition." (Mark 7:6-8)

Some traditions claim that tradition is a source for their practice, and to a degree, that can be okay. However, there are churches that have elevated their traditions to be co-equal with Scripture, and that, of course, is heresy.

The Bible, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, is completely sufficient for the practice of our faith.

Answer 2

The Catholic Church does not use Holy Scripture as the only basis of doctrine. It could not. The early Catholic church existed before and during the time that the New Testament was written (by Catholics).

There were hundreds of Christian writings during the first and second centuries. Which New Testament writings would become official was not fully decided until about 400 AD.

Catholics believe that the Holy Spirit was guiding the early church (and is guiding the church today) to make the correct choices about things like:
- The Holy Trinity (which is also only hinted at in the Bible)
- Going to church on Sunday instead of Saturday (which is actually directly against one of the Ten Commandments)
- The Communion of Saints
- Which writings include in the New Testament?

Things that are even more modern like
- Slavery is bad. Slavery is never declared evil in the Bible. This is one of the justifications for slavery in the Confederate States.
- Democracy is good. The Bible states that either God should be the leader of the nation like Israel before the kings or kings should be the leader, "Give to Caesar that which is Caesar's." This was talked about a lot during the American Revolution.

This second source of doctrine is called Holy Tradition.

With love in Christ.

Answer 3

darkangel1111,
I am glad that these types of questions are coming up.

Though Jesus set certain traditions. as with the communion, and the way we pray, it is important to know that many traditions are place upon certain denominations by the councils that formed them.

That's one reason why I am a Protestant, and one that does not quickly accept a tradition that is not in the Bible. In fact, I cannot think of any that are outside of the Bible that I observe for spiritual reasons.

"Is the Bible alone sufficient for spiritual truth?"
No. The Spirit of God cannot be overlooked. Study of the scriptures is essential, but the Spirit guides us to understanding and direction as well. If we did not have the Spirit of God, then we are none of His.

"Should tradition of the church be on the same level as the Scriptures? "
Yes. When it comes to spiritual matters, the Bible is the manual.

"What does the Bible say about tradition?"
Other than the ones it communicates, there are no other traditions that are eternal in nature. So you can do them, but there is no reward.
It says, by your traditions, you make void the word of God.

"How did Jesus and the apostles view Scripture and tradition?"
Really, except for those that were drawn back to the Law of Moses, the Apostles, Paul especially preached against them. He weakened at times, I think because James was the leader of the Ebionite Church at Jerusalem and would intimidate Paul. Jesus had to types of messages concerning this. He had to fulfill the Law, and He did, but after the Resurrection the Spirit was poured out, Peter dreamt and was told to kill and eat -- certain things changed for believers. They were fulfilling the Law of Moses by Faith. The traditions of the Law were held by the Legalists like James. And he held the traditions of the Jews. But Paul said, "know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ."

So we are free from the Law, and whom the Lord makes free is free indeed!

Answer 4

Neither Scriptures or tradition were ever considered by the Apostles or Jesus for they had no place in Jesus time and day. There was no Scriptures only the scrolls that were kept or copied in the Sanctuaries and read and interpreted by the teachers and rabbis. The Bible was organized and it's contents prayed over much by very knowledgeable men who assembled their sources from ancient text and scrolls. Only after the coming of the Promised Holy Spirit as in John 14 did the scriptures have power. It is through the ministry of the internal Holy Spirit that lives and dwells within each believer that God reveals the spiritual truth to His Believers. As for tradition I cannot accept that tradition holds any place in competition with Scriptures as the Holy Spirit's teachings alone is sufficient and powerful for the Believer.

Answer 5

The bible alone!
Too much so called church tradition is a stumbling block to the word.

We already have too many saying that Adam and Eve were the first humans!

and in 6 24 hour days the creation happened!

How much worse are the rest of the damn traditions of the church that cloud the truth!

Answer 6

The Bible alone is sufficient for spiritual truth.
Tradition is a slippery slope.
Have a peak at Mark 7:13, or Matthew 15:6.
2 Timothy 3:16 states the Bible alone is sufficient.

Answer 7

Yes, the Bible is enough/ sufficient for spirirual truth. The only thing the Bible says, though sexist, is that women cannot run the church. Other than that, remembering is the main reasoning of traditions.

Answer 8

I believe that people get too caught up in traditions. And this makes people lose the true focus. It's the same as when people focus on how to dress when they go to worship services. Why does it matter if you are wearing your "Sunday best" or jeans? As long as you are worshiping the one, true and living God, it shouldn't matter what you wear.

When it speaks of the "whole armor of God" in the Word, the Bible is the "sword". The Bible is what we use to fight the enemy. Apparently, God felt that it was a sufficient enough weapon to fight the enemy. Drop the traditions and focus on the Word.

Answer 9

Jesus attacked the tradition of the Pharisees. The Catholic church places their tradition above Scripture, look at what a mess they have-and most Catholics don't know it. Any time you make what man has done equal or higher than what God has done; trouble soon follows.

Answer 10

No, the Bible alone is not sufficient for Spiritual Truth. It must be taught & interpreted by the authority of the Church.