Interesting Questions-10
"Traditions as essential as the
Bible?"
Letter to the Editor:
PASUGO, April 1996, P.2
AS A CATHOLIC, I believe that it is not only the
Bible but also the Apostolic traditions that must be upheld. We
Catholic adhere to traditions as much as to the bible because they
are also Christ's words and deeds which do not contradict but only
supplement the Scriptures. Just because Catholic traditions are not
recorded in the bible doesn't mean that they are not necessary. As
far as Christ's salvific mission is concerned, we are bound to
believe. And if traditions were really unnecessary Apostle Paul
would not have admonished to hold on to these, as he exhorted in II
Thessalonians 2:15: "Therefore. brethren, stand fast and hold the
traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle." (New
King James Version)
Narciso Teodoro
Pampanga, Philippines
Editor's reply:
That Catholics adhere to traditions, aside from
believing in the bible, is an indisputable fact that needs no
further elaboration. But what do Catholics exactly mean by
tradition? A Catholic bishop defines it, thus:
"By divine tradition is meant the revealed truths
taught by Christ and His Apostles, which were given to the Church
only by word of mouth and not through the Bible, though they were
put in writing principally by the Fathers of the Church." (My
Catholic Faith, Louis LaRavoire Morrow, p.18)
Traditions, then, are the teachings that "were
given to the [Catholic] Church only by word of mouth and not through
the Bible." Why do Catholics believe in traditions? The same author
maintains that the Bible cannot be the sole guide to salvation
because
"The Bible does not contain all the truths
necessary for eternal salvation." (Ibid, p.21)
Thus, Catholics uphold traditions because they
believe the Bible is incomplete and hence, it needs to be
supplemented. To supplement means to add something to, especially so
as to make up for a lack or deficiency.
Does the Bible need to be supplemented? No.
Apostle John was very clear on this matter, thus:
"Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the
presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But
these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the
Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name."
(Jn. 20:30-31, New International Version)
The Bible, by itself, is sufficient to guide man
towards salvation. Hence, it does not need any supplement or
addition. Those who add to God's word as well as those who subtract
from His truths written in the bible will not be saved (cf. Dt.
12:32;Rev.22:18-19).
What about the supposed admonition of Apostle Paul
to hold fast to traditions? Did Apostle Paul really exhort the
Christians to uphold traditions? Notice what he said:
".....stand fast and hold the traditions which
you were taught, whether by word OR OUR EPISTLE" (New King James
Version, emphasis ours).
The traditions mentioned by Apostle Paul in II
Thessalonians 2:15, do not refer to Catholic traditions which have
been handled down by WORD OF MOUTH only ---NOT through epistles or
letters. Then, what is the real meaning of Apostle Paul's
pronouncement in the said verse? In the New International Version,
this is what is written:
"So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the
teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by
letter."
What are these teachings which every Christian
ought to uphold? The same verse as rendered in the Today's English
Version says:
"So then, our brothers, stand firm and hold on to
those truths which we taught you, both in our preaching and in our
letter."
Apostle Paul advises us to hold to the truth and
stand firm in it.
What is the truth? The truth is God's words which
are written in the Bible and which will sanctify and guide man
toward salvation (cf. John 17:17; II Timothy 3:15-17). Apostle Paul
warned against people who insist that human traditions are necessary
in serving the Lord, thus:
"Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy
and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to
the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ."
(Col. 2:8, NKJV)
Why did the apostles warn the observers of
traditions? Because followers of traditions are all too ready to
transgress God's laws in order to comply with their handed-down
beliefs as the Scriptures attest:
"For laying aside the commandment of God, you
hold to the tradition of men---the washing of the pitchers and cups,
and many other such things you do. And He said to them, 'All too
well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your
tradition'." (Mark 7:8-9, Ibid)
For man to be able to keep God's words faithfully,
he must always bear in mind Apostle Paul's admonition not to
go beyond what is written (cf. I Cor. 4:6). Thus, although our Lord
Jesus Christ did many works which were not recorded in the
Scriptures, it is the written or recorded ones that will be the
basis of our salvation. □
___________________