Do you follow Biblical authority, or church tradition?

Question

One of the great differences between Protestant and Catholic doctrine is in the area of Tradition. The Protestant church maintains that the Bible alone is intended by God to be the source of doctrinal truth (2 Tim. 3:16). The Catholic Church, however, says, "Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture make up a single sacred deposit of the Word of God . . ." (Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 97. Note, all citations in this article are from this Catechism).

The Catholic Church reasons thusly:



1. "The apostles left bishops as their successors. They gave them their own position of teaching authority.'" (Paragraph 77)

2. "This living transmission, accomplished through the Holy Spirit, is called tradition..." (Par. 78)

3. "Both Scripture and Tradition must be accepted and honored with equal sentiments of devotion and reverence" (Par. 82).



Within the Catholic scope of Tradition, many doctrines have been "revealed" to the Church over the centuries. For example, there is the veneration of Mary, her immaculate conception and her bodily assumption into heaven. There is also the Apocrypha, transubstantiation, praying to saints, the confessional, penance, purgatory, and more. Protestantism as a whole differs with Catholicism in these additions.

Tradition in the Bible
The Bible speaks about tradition. Some verses speak for tradition and others speak against it. Of course, the contexts are different and carry different meanings. For example:



For Against
2 Thess. 3:6, "Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep aloof from every brother who leads an unruly life and not according to the tradition which you received from us." Matt. 15:3-6, "And He answered and said to them, 'And why do you yourselves transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? 4For God said, Honor your father and mother, and, He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him be put to death 5But you say, Whoever shall say to his father or mother, Anything of mine you might have been helped by has been given to God, 6he is not to honor his father or his mother. And thus you invalidated the word of God for the sake of your tradition."
2 Thess. 2:15, "So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us." Mark 7:8-9, "Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men. 9He was also saying to them, You nicely set aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition."
1 Cor. 11:2, "Now I praise you because you remember me in everything, and hold firmly to the traditions, just as I delivered them to you." Col. 2:8, "See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ."



In the discussions regarding Tradition between Protestants and Catholics, both sets of scriptures are often quoted in order to establish their respective positions. The Protestants often quote Matt. 15:3-6 in opposition to Sacred Tradition. In an appeal to be biblical, many Catholic apologists cite 2 Thess. 2:15 to validate their position on Sacred Tradition. Unfortunately, this amounts to using the Word of God against itself. Clearly, God's word is not contradictory. Rather, it is our understanding that is in error.

The Bible is for tradition where it supports the teachings of the apostles (2 Thess. 2:15) and is consistent with biblical revelation. Yet, it is against tradition when it "transgresses the commands of God" (Matt. 15:3). By Jesus' own words, tradition is not to transgress or contradict the commands of God. In other words, it should be in harmony with biblical teaching and not oppose it in any way.

Though the Catholic Church officially states that Sacred Tradition should not and does not contradict Scripture, Protestants see much of the teaching from this Sacred Tradition as doing just that. It isn't enough for the Catholic to say that their church is the true church, that they have the apostolic tradition, that they hold the keys to the truth, and that they have revealed doctrines consistent with biblical revelation. Likewise, it isn't enough for a Protestant to pass judgment upon Catholic doctrines simply because they are Catholic and are derived via Sacred Tradition.

Are Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition Really Equal?
To me, it is not enough to simply say that Sacred Tradition is equal to Scripture based upon the decree of the Catholic Magisterium. Like any spiritual teaching, I must compare it to the Bible. Jesus' own words in Matt. 15:3 lend support for myself and many non-Catholics to subject the fruit of Sacred Tradition to the pruning of God's word. In other words, do the teachings of the Catholic Church that are derived through tradition transgress the commands of God? Of course, the Catholic will say that they do not.

When Jesus was speaking to the Pharisees in Matt. 15:1-6, He reprimanded them for not understanding God's word. They were appealing to the tradition of the elders, those who had passed down oral and written tradition. Jesus, on the other hand, exposed their error by citing scripture. Please take note of what He said in Matt. 15:1-6.

"Then some Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem, saying, 2'Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.' 3And He answered and said to them, 'And why do you yourselves transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? 4'For God said, "Honor your father and mother," and, "He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him be put to death."5'But you say, "Whoever shall say to his father or mother, 'Anything of mine you might have been helped by has been given to God,' 6he is not to honor his father or his mother." And thus you invalidated the word of God for the sake of your tradition.'"

Whatever might be said about this passage, at least one thing must be observed: The tradition of the religious leaders was subject to the Word of God. Are the religious leaders of the Catholic Church exempt from subjection to the Word of God? And likewise, is their Sacred Tradition also exempt? I think not.

Where the Protestants would interpret Tradition in light of Scripture, it seems that the Catholic Church does the opposite. Consider the following, "The Second Vatican Council indicates three criteria for interpreting Scripture in accordance with the Spirit who inspired it. 1. 'Be especially attentive to the content and unity of the whole Scripture.'. . . 2. 'Read the Scripture within the living Tradition of the whole Church.' . . . 3. 'Be attentive to the analogy of faith.'" (Par. 111, 112, 13, 114).

It is number 2 that is the main concern here. What does it mean to read Scripture "within the living Tradition of the whole Church?" If Scripture is "within the living Tradition," then Tradition encompasses Scripture. In other words, it is the tradition of the Church that interprets Scripture. This is in contradiction to the Word of God spoken by Jesus in Matt. 15:1-6.

Some object and say that the Pharisees didn't have apostolic authority and succession that was ordained by the apostles as does the Catholic Church and, therefore, Matt. 15:1-6 cannot be used to nullify Sacred Tradition.

But the issue in Matt. 15:1-6 is not succession of authority but the traditions of men being used in opposition to the truth of the Word of God. Essentially, the Pharisees were seeing the Word of God "within" their sacred tradition. Jesus, in contrast to this, cited the Word of God to judge their traditions. The apostles, likewise, continuously admonished their people to check their teaching against the Scripture (Acts 17:11), thereby substantiating the position that even what they taught was subject to God's Word. After all, no doctrinal teaching should contradict biblical revelation and the Sacred Word of God was and is the final authority in all things spiritual. The Catholic Church's position and teaching as based on Sacred Tradition are no different. They must be compared to Scripture.

My desire in writing this is not to alienate Catholics nor belittle their beliefs. I believe that there are some Catholics who love the Lord and are saved. But I would like to add that I believe it is in spite of official Roman Catholic doctrine. Nevertheless, it is my opinion that the Catholic Church has added teachings that are not consistent with biblical revelation.

If you are a Catholic, I hope my words do not offend you. Rather, I hope and pray that you would consider what this site has to say and compare it with the Word of God

JonJon, I have no idea what your beliefs are, and frankly it doesn't matter to me. It's simply ridiculous for folks to come to a Religion and Spirituality section and then complain about questions regarding religion and Spirituality. If you don't care for the question, then don't answer. I read questions in here all the time and then click back out because the details don't interest me.

Answer 1

Biblical Authority supercedes man-made tradition. This is why Jesus denounced the religious leaders of his day; they made their traditions more important than the written word of God.

Answer 2

You question is too long.

Jesus condemned the hypocrisy of the Pharisees because they required the people to follow strict ritual and tradition which the Pharisees themselves did not follow.

However, Jesus Himself followed ritual and tradition, and urged others to do the same. For example, when Jesus healed a leper, he told him to go to the Temple and give thanksgiving as prescribed by the Priests.

So, the issue is not condemnation of all tradition. The Catholics believe that theirs are Sacred Traditions that predate the establishment of the Canon of the New Testament. Jesus affirmed Sacred Tradition.

You are misinformed when you claim that some of the Traditions of the Church were "revealed" later. In fact, the Church had always believed and practiced such things. However, the Church came to understand them more profoundly and with greater clarity.

You are basically posing a false dilemma, and mis-stating the Catholic position. It is not a question of one or the other. The official Church teaching is both. The Catholic Church follows Scripture as well as Sacred Tradition.

If anything, the notion of "Sola Scriptura" is itself non-scriptural and a tradition of men.

Answer 3

We follow biblical authority. When we do communion it is blessed but it only represents the body and blood of Jesus. I know in the Catholic religion they believe it transforms into the actual body and blood. We also do not believe in purgatory.

My girls are going through a confirmation class now and they are studying the ten commandments (what each one means), the Lords Prayer (the 6 petitions), sin & God in three persons.

We do believe that Peter was the first head of the church (Pope) and that he established Bishops over the churches that were established.

I learned from my reading and study classes that the Pharosies in the Jewish church added some of their own rules on top of the laws that God gave them. Thats why there were more than 600 laws. I think these (aprox. 300) extra laws are the ones Jesus was calling tradition. He also told the Pharosies it is not good enough to just keep the laws mentally but you needed to keep them with your heart. What good did it do to go around saying I am so good at keeping the laws if you really don't feel it in your heart.

Answer 4

First let me state that I am Roman Catholic. Secondly let me commend you for a respectful and well thought-out and researched question.

As you are aware, we Catholics reject sola scriptura for several reasons. As you mentioned, we feel that sola scriptura is unbiblical based on 2 Thess. 2:15. In addition, John 20:30 says "And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:"

We feel that there is more to Christianity than only what is in the Bible. We also feel, of course Protestants disagree, that all Catholic tradition is in accordance with the Bible.

Look it it this way, Christianity came before the Bible (New Testament anyway). Christianity is the source of our faith, the Bible is the result.

Answer 5

Catholics venerate the Scriptures as they venerate the Lord's body. But Catholics do not believe that God has given us His divine Revelation in Christ exclusively through Scripture. Catholics also believe that God's Revelation comes to us through the Apostolic Tradition and teaching authority of the Church.

What Church? Scripture reveals this Church to be the one Jesus Christ built upon the rock of Saint Peter (Matt. 16:18). By giving Peter the keys of authority (Matt. 16:19), Jesus appointed Peter as the chief steward over His earthly kingdom (cf. Isaiah. 22:19-22). Jesus also charged Peter to be the source of strength for the rest of the apostles (Luke 22:32) and the earthly shepherd of Jesus' flock (John 21:15-17). Jesus further gave Peter, and the apostles and elders in union with him, the power to bind and loose in heaven what they bound and loosed on earth. (Matt. 16:19; 18:18). This teaching authority did not die with Peter and the apostles, but was transferred to future bishops through the laying on of hands (e.g., Acts 1:20; 6:6; 13:3; 8:18; 9:17; 1 Tim. 4:14; 5:22; 2 Tim. 1:6).

By virtue of this divinely-appointed authority, the Catholic Church determined the canon of Scripture (what books belong in the Bible) at the end of the fourth century. We therefore believe in the Scriptures on the authority of the Catholic Church. After all, nothing in Scripture tells us what Scriptures are inspired, what books belong in the Bible, or that Scripture is the final authority on questions concerning the Christian faith. Instead, the Bible says that the Church, not the Scriptures, is the pinnacle and foundation of the truth (1 Tim. 3:15) and the final arbiter on questions of the Christian faith (Matt. 18:17). It is through the teaching authority and Apostolic Tradition (2 Thess. 2:15; 3:6; 1 Cor. 11:2) of this Church, who is guided by the Holy Spirit (John 14:16,26; 16:13), that we know of the divine inspiration of the Scriptures, and the manifold wisdom of God. (cf. Ephesians 3:10).

Answer 6

Apparently Catholics,Protestant,and Mormons make the same mistake. The scriptural old testament is the law of Moses (part 1; Apply Matt. 18:16, 2 Cor.13:1), not Genesis-Malachi (part 2 which violates 2 Tim.3:16-17).
So what are you presently getting at in the above question/commentary?

Answer 7

Sorry, but all denominations have the habit of getting into tradition. Some have created their own and others continue with old one, but tradition is a bad thing when it comes before following God. That means any and all tradition that gets in the way. There may be some that you think are great that in that way of God, but there are also the ones that you can see that do get in the way.
I personally could not handle protestant or catholic just because of the heavy tradition in both.

Answer 8

I follow the Church that Christ established - the Roman Catholic Church.

No man can rely on the "Biblical Authority" alone because the Bible is not self-interpreting. It must have a divine and infallible interpretor - that's why God gave us the Church.

God bless you in your search for the true Apostolic Faith.

Answer 9

In my journey very few so called "Christians" have stricken to examine, no longer to show learn the Bible. The memorize verses, take them out of context, the two Biblical and historic, and then use them to justify the main un-Christian habit a possibility. That I even have discovered real for the two Christian, Orthodox, and Protester.

Answer 10

All of us can have a specific tradition or ritual and can have no real meaning. If you don't do what I do or I don't do what you do, nothing and no one would probably do or say anything to us about it. But Biblical authority has meaning. Benefits for those who follow and wraft for those who do not follow. Now that you know, which will you do?