Answering Catholicism – Scripture and Tradition

"Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture make up a single sacred deposit of the Word of God"[1]

At the time of the Reformation, the Church of Rome taught that the Word of God consisted of both the written word (The Bible) and the unwritten word (Tradition). It held that both Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition were both infallible and of equal value. The Roman Catholic Church believes the same today.

What does the Roman Catholic Church mean by tradition? The website Catholic Answers says that:

Divine Tradition comes from God, either through the written word of the Bible or through the oral teaching of Christ himself or his apostles. Because it is revealed by God, divine Tradition may not be altered by men.[2]

The Reformers vehemently denied that this ‘divine Tradition’, said to be found within the Roman Catholic Church, was in anyway comparable with God’s written word. For them, the Bible was the true only rule of faith for the Christian. The Protestant Church believes the same today.

The Roman Catholic View

Catholics believe that the true rule of faith is the Bible plus apostolic tradition. This, they claim, is expressed in the teaching authority of the Roman Catholic Church, which they call the Magisterium (which consists of the Pope and his bishops).

Collectively then, Scared Scripture and Sacred Tradition known as the Deposit of Faith, is interpreted and dispensed to the faithful by the Magisterium.

‘Both Scripture and Tradition must be accepted and honoured with equal sentiments of devotion and reverence’[3]

The Bible and Tradition

What are we to make of this so-called Sacred Tradition? What does the Bible say about tradition?

So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter. 2 Thessalonians 2:15

Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you. 1 Corinthians 11:2

Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. 2 Thessalonians 3:6

In these three verses in Scripture, tradition is mentioned in a positive way. In each case, the traditions mentioned have already been taught and delivered to the church. Note also that the source of these traditions is the apostles themselves.

Therefore ‘new’ traditions which arise after the death of the Apostles are to be considered extra-biblical and are not to be accepted. Note Jude’s words:

Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. Jude 1:3

We are urged to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered. Jude’s words are the ancient equivalent of a message from Amazon… your package has been delivered and your order is complete. He is teaching that there is nothing new to come- the faith has been once for all delivered.

Other references to tradition in Scripture, warn against adding to that which has already been delivered:

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. Colossians 2:8

He answered them, “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? Matthew 15:3

These verses, rather than commending the traditions handed on by the apostles, are condemning of traditions that find their source outside of Holy Writ. These words speak directly to the Roman Catholic Church and their so-called ‘Sacred Tradition’.

Examples of some of the extra-biblical traditions found within this church are the perpetual virginity and bodily assumption of Mary, prayers to saints, prayers for the dead, Purgatory, and indulgences.

These traditions, and they have many more, nullify the Word of God. They break the commandment of God for the sake of their traditions.

It was such traditions, which stood in the place of Scripture, that caused the Protestant Reformers to make their stand and declare the Latin phrase: Sola Scriptura – Scripture Alone.

Semper Eadem – Always the Same

This call to return to the Bible is as needed now as it was then. The Roman Catholic Church remains the same. Not only has this Church not changed its doctrines, but it continues to proclaim that itself to be the Church that Christ Himself established.

Many Protestants have forgotten the huge sacrifice made to set them free from the fallacious and superstitious nonsense, called Sacred Tradition, served up within the Roman Catholic Church.

What is the Roman Catholic Church’s justification for their Sacred Tradition?

Apostolic Succession.

In my next article we will consider why this teaching cannot be supported by Scripture.




[1] Catechism of the Catholic Church paragraph 97

[2] What exactly does the Church mean by tradition? | Catholic Answers

[3] Catechism of the Catholic Church paragraph 82