Tradition vs Scripture for Roman Catholics?

Question

I will try to ask my question a little better here since I caused confusion - the tradition I was asking about are things like praying to Mary and the Saints - the Bible is clear not to pray or worhship anything or anyone other then the Lord your God - or why is it believed that Mary was born without sin or that her body was brought to Heaven in the same way Jesus acended into Heaven, there is nothing in the Bible about that.... or absolutely needing a priest to have sins forgiven, why cant one just ask God Himself to forgive sins - and purgatory is the last example I will ask about - doesnt this idea take away from what is clear in the Bible that Jesus died for ALL our sins and He alone wiped us clean, purgatory makes me think that Jesus did not "completely clean us"
Sorry if I offended anyone, just wanted to hear what you had to say about these things

Answer 1

You asked your question not rudely or judgemetnally, so no offense taken.
Tradition is in all families including the family of the Roman Catholic Church. Orginally the Apostles and disciples expected the world to end immediately, They kept the ranks close and simple. However as the years continued a more organized system came into place with rules and regulations.

Praying to saints in Heaven is just like asking someone here to pray for you because your scared about an operation or wanting spiritual guidance. It is a kindness that you ask of fellow believers there is nothing wrong with asking a friend for help. And those in Heaven are closer to the Source, afterall the power comes from God Himself.
The Apostles passed on the Tradition of Mary since they were there and not everything was written down, as it says at the end of John's gospel.

Jesus gave the apostles the power to forgive sin after he rose from the dead. This is in the Bible. The form might have changed over the centuries but this power wasgiven to them from Jesus ,passed to the valid ordained priests over the centuries. Only God can forgive sins but through the priest this Sacrament is an outward sign of assurance. All people need assurance, that is a great gift.

Purgatory is a place in preparation to enter Heaven. I think of it as a waiting room, while C.S. Lewis mentioned ,in one of his writing that we will all want to cleanse ourselves once we see God face to face. We will go there willing and with the knowledge we will be in Heaven soon.

Answer 2

you're not asking a question, you're making a statement. I've noticed many trained non-catholic critics are taught this form of rhetoric and so I've decided to mimic them. see any of my many previous questions. Be mindful that the Christian bible is a Catholic book hence there is no Catholic doctrine at odds with scripture.

Questions you really need to ask yourself

1. To whom was scripture written, those who already believed or the non-believer?
2. What was the purpose of scripture?
3. Are first Christians before the conversion of St. Paul less Christian because they did not have his letters of instruction which form almost half of the NT or did they do ok with Christian tradition?
4. When was the Christian version bible finally fully compiled as one book of books?
5. Why do Protestants use a Pharisee OT canon and a Roman Catholic NT canon if both authorities to decide canon are not acceptable in Reformer churches founded in the 16th century?

Briefly purgatory has both a traditional and scripture basis, the virginity of Mary is the same, as is her sinless state.

Jesus is the physical word and Mary the New Ark, why not study the Ark of the first covenant you might than get it. Right in Genesis we learn there is an eternal emnity between the woman "Mary" and Satan. If Mary ever sinned she would be on Satan's side and have no emnity. Think about taking a better bible study class because right now you ain't getting the "Word" brother!


The forgiveness of sins by God's presbyters, priests, elders, pastors however you chose to call them is both traditionally and scripturally supported John 20:20-23.

Why not be honest and admit you aren't looking for answers because you enjoy the rose colored glasses you already wear, whether they be baptist, presbyterian, evangelical protestant or any of the other 1000's of denominations which make up Protestantism and wear the glasses of their community.
It is rarely about what the 'bible says' and more to do with the bibilcal interpretative tradition you hold to. Yes you have traditions too and the sooner you admit to them the more honest you'll be.

Answer 3

When you pray to Mary, you are asking someone who is alive in Heaven to pray for you. Catholic understand this, Protestants call us idolators. The Protestants removed books from the Bible that help us understand what Jesus was talking about when He discussed Heaven. Where did He ascend to if people remain in the grave for instance? Well the answer is much more clear if you have Maccabees in the Bible, otherwise you're just left wondering. These books were available when Jesus was alive, but thrown out by Protestants.

Other reasonable arguements follow for each disagreement.

Answer 4

It's clear that you've been doing some studying- don't stop. Martin Luther started the Reformation after he read the book of Habakkuk where it says " the just shall live by faith.". That means that Jesus Christ is the only mediator between God and man. And when you come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ ALL your sin is forgiven.Roman Catholics are revisiting the idea of " limbo" and "purgatory" but as yet I haven't heard of any changes in Catholic doctrine. The important thing for you to remember is that the Bible is your highest authority on earth. Keep reading.

Answer 5

you are asking Mary and the Saints to pray for you to God, you are not praying to them.

the Mary stuff I have a little bit of a problem with, but that doesn't detract from my faith.

I ask for forgiveness everyday from God, but since I'm a Roman Catholic I'll still go to confession. Can't hurt.

Jesus died for our sins, but we still need to accept Him.

Answer 6

Neither. Both maintain guys as opposed to Jesus Christ within the location of God. Additionally, each businesses worship Mary and the Saints. The Catholic Church areas a better emphasis on her as God, than the Orthodox Church does.

Answer 7

Scripture can be nothing but a written version of tradition.

Answer 8

the Catholic church has faith, so what if it's not just in the Bible, heck they put the Bible together who are you to pick and choose which beliefs of theirs to believe in.