Posted with permission.
What does the Bible say about Roman Catholic traditions?
The New Testament records a number of powerful statements about
following the traditions of men. Jesus and the apostles were very
clear about what we should accept and believe. But the Roman Catholic
Church has ignored the Bible in order to secure control of what its
people believe.
Roman Catholic Teaching
The Roman Catholic Church does not accept the Bible as the only source
of truth. In fact, they do not believe the Bible is the only source of
divine truth. The following quote comes from the Second Vatican
Council.
. . . there exists a close connection and communication between sacred
tradition and Sacred Scripture. . . Sacred Scripture is the word of
God inasmuch as it is consigned to writing under the inspiration of
the divine Spirit, while sacred tradition takes the word of God
entrusted by Christ the Lord and the Holy Spirit to the Apostles, and
hands it on to their successors in its full purity, so that led by the
light of the Spirit of truth they may in proclaiming it preserve this
word of God faithfully, explain it, and make it more widely known.[1]
This statement says that they believe that Sacred Scripture and sacred
tradition are both necessary and both are divine truth. It is also
important to notice that they believe sacred tradition preserves the
Word of God. That is, sacred tradition has greater authority than the
Sacred Scriptures. It is also important to note that they believe
their understanding of divine truth evolves.
This tradition which comes from the Apostles develops in the Church
with the help of the Holy Spirit. For there is a growth in the
understanding of the realities and the words which have been handed
down. . . . For as the centuries succeed one another, the Church
constantly moves forward toward the fullness of divine truth until the
words of God reach their complete fulfillment in her.[2]
This last statement simply means that their teachings will change, and
they have. Since Jesus and the Apostles departed from this earth, the
Roman Catholic Church has changed their interpretations of the
teachings of the Bible. One of the most recent new doctrines of the
church is the worship of Mary. This is a serious problem since any new
doctrine could be added or revoked. Is it possible that a new
understanding about the means of salvation will be taught some day?
The concept of an oral tradition with an understanding that evolves
over time means that there is no absolute truth within the Roman
Catholic Church.
The Second Vatican Council also makes the following statement.
Consequently it is not from Sacred Scripture alone that the Church
draws her certainty about everything which has been revealed.
Therefore both sacred tradition and Sacred Scripture are to be
accepted and venerated with the same sense of loyalty and
reverence.[3]
They state that they accept both with equal loyalty and reverence.
Then the “Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation” of the Second
Vatican Council says that both of them are the word of God.
Sacred tradition and Sacred Scripture form one sacred deposit of the
word of God . . .[4]
It is important to notice that when they use the expression the “word
of God,” they do not mean only the Sacred Scriptures. Most Protestants
use the expression the “word of God” to refer to both the Old and New
Testaments. But the Roman Catholic Church teaches that the “word of
God” is both the Sacred Scripture and sacred tradition. This is a
serious issue because we saw earlier that their sacred tradition has
greater importance to them. In the next statement, they say that
neither Sacred Scripture or sacred tradition can be completely
trusted.
It is clear, therefore, that sacred tradition, Sacred Scripture and
the teaching authority of the Church, in accord with God’s most wise
design, are so linked and joined together that one cannot stand
without the others, and that all together and each in its own way
under the action of the one Holy Spirit contribute effectively to the
salvation of souls.[5]
The absolute and ultimate authority is the teaching of the church.
They believe that this is “God’s most wise design.” We will discover
shortly that neither Jesus nor His apostles taught this. This is not
God’s wise design but human manipulation. In fact, scripture has a
serious statement about those who would do the teach that we should
abstain from foods and forbid men and women to marry. The doctrine of
demons teaches the clergy to not marry and forbids eating certain
foods on Fridays and other occasions.
But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away
from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of
demons, by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own
conscience as with a branding iron, men who forbid marriage and
advocate abstaining from foods, which God has created to be gratefully
shared in by those who believe and know the truth. 1 Timothy 4:1-3
(NASB)
The Roman Catholic Church forbids marriage and forbids the eating of
meat on Fridays and other times.
Jesus and Tradition
In the gospel of Matthew we are told that some Pharisees and scribes
came to Jesus from Jerusalem to ask Him why His disciples had not
washed their hands before eating. The Pharisees and scribes were the
religious leaders in Jerusalem and they did not like other folks
listening to and following Jesus (John 11:47-52). Then Jesus answered
with the following statement.
And He answered and said to them, “And why do you yourselves
transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? . .
. BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS
OF MEN.” Matthew 15:3, 9 (NASB)
The gospel of Mark includes some additional statements made by Jesus.
“Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.”
He was also saying to them, “You nicely set aside the commandment of
God in order to keep your tradition.” . . . thus invalidating the word
of God by your tradition which you have handed down; and you do many
things such as that.” Mark 7:8-9, 13 (NASB)
Human tradition is not the scared scripture. It is simply human
tradition. These religious leaders were false teachers because they
ignored the sacred scriptures and taught their traditions as divine
truth. Jesus rebuked them for their false teaching. Later they killed
Him.
Apostle Paul and Tradition
The Apostle Paul also had some strong things to say about tradition.
The apostle had both positive and negative things to say. Here are his
positive statements.
Now I praise you because you remember me in everything, and hold
firmly to the traditions, just as I delivered them to you. (NASB) 1
Cor. 11:2
So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you
were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us. (NASB) 2
Thess. 2:15
In both statements, the apostle encourages the saints or those who
believe in Jesus, to hold firmly to his traditions or what he has
taught them. It is important to remember that the New Testament was in
the process of being written. What Paul taught or referred to as
“traditions” was to become scripture and was included in the Bible.
Therefore, the wonderful news about Jesus was initially taught by word
of mouth. The last statement is used by the Roman Catholic Church to
support their teaching about their “sacred” tradition.
But the Apostle has some strong statements about accepting anything
contrary to what had already been taught.
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. 2
Thessalonians 3:6 (NASB)
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.
Colossians 2:8 (NASB)
They were to reject anything that did not agree with what they had
already been taught. But the most significant statement is found in
the next passage of the sacred scriptures.
But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a
gospel contrary to that which we have preached to you, let him be
accursed. Galatians 1:8 (NASB)
The Roman Catholic Church has been adopting new teachings since the
time of Jesus and the apostles. The apostle Paul clearly says that we
are to reject any teacher who changes what has already been taught.
The scriptures are the only proof as to what has been taught. Even if
it is an angel, institution, or church, we are to reject that person
or organization.
Conclusion:
The sacred scriptures are the final authority according to 2 Timothy.
The Apostle Peter also tells us that God has given us the authority to
interpret scripture too!
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for
reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man
of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16
(NASB)
But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter
of one’s own interpretation . . . 2 Peter 1:20 (NASB)
Neither the Roman Catholic Church, a Protestant Church, or this
website has the final and exclusive authority or right to interpret
the sacred scriptures. In fact if anyone of us disagrees with what the
apostles put in writing, we are to be rejected as false teachers.
Today the Roman Catholic Church is teaching error. They are teaching
human traditions as sacred truth. Their traditions cannot be found in
the things the Apostle Paul had previously taught.
But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a
gospel contrary to that which we have preached to you, let him be
accursed. Galatians 1:8 (NASB)
References:
1. Second Vatican Council. “Dogmatic Constitution on Divine
Revelation.” no. 9.
2. Ibid., no. 8.
3. Ibid, no. 9.
4. Ibid., no. 10.
5. Ibid.
https://www.neverthirsty.org/bible-qa/qa-archives/question/what-does-the-bible-say-about-roman-catholic-traditions/
What are you views on this??