Parardosis ~ Tradition
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DEFENDING TRADITION
WHAT IS TRADITION? ~ (2 Thessalonians 2:14)
Jesus assured us "the gates of hell would not prevail against His Church" (Matthew 16:18). The Church was never meant to be a passive entity. The Church has had to stand strong and defend itself and Christ along with His teachings throughout the entire past 2000 years from attacks of enemies that constantly try to infiltrate heresies for selfish reasons. But these battles have not occurred without leaving blemishes. Yet as promised, the Church would remain alive and visible in the midst of her fighting enemies. It began with Judas, who defected almost immediately and turned against Jesus to His very face. Did that stop the Church and cause fragmentation? No! It continued.
Centuries later, in 1054 A.D., there was a great tumultuous schism between the Eastern Orthodox Churches and the Western (Roman) Churches. Then in the 16th century many from within the Western Church began speaking out against the Roman Church and its teachings and established their own version of Christian Churches; Martin Luther (Lutheran), John Calvin (Presbyterian), John Wesley (Methodist), Roger Williams (Baptist), etc., until eventually we see today 40,000 denominations of these versions of Protestant Churches. Has this resulted in clarifying Jesus' gospel, higher morals, or bringing Christians together? The answer is clear with increased divisions.
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​Where does one began to unravel "the truth"? Let's examine two methods to get to the truth, A & B.
Method A: Indirect knowledge. All humans receive knowledge of any kind 'postnatally', i.e., after birth. We were all born with a clean slate. From birth, we are all virtually totally dependent on our parents for what we learn and how we turn out in life. Our parents are often the first to teach us how to read and write. Parents then send their children to school for more in-depth education, primarily because most parents are not as formally well educated in other areas of academic discipline, such as math, science, grammar, philosophy, etc. We all have had to rely on the educational systems designated by the state as to what text books are deemed acceptable. This also applies to religious education as well. Most of us along with our kids have attended religious classes taught by religious leaders and teachers designated by that religious order. Most all of these "educators" who influence us are strangers. And most of the time we don't even vet these people completely relying on the state or institutions these people were formed. In time we're all expected to fall in line with mainstream conventional thinking and behavior. Those who question the system, wanting to know why things are the way they are or where this knowledge or information comes from, and refuse to conform are ostracized as being troublemakers or against mainstream thinking. Consider how many wars and battles have been fought in the name of God and beliefs. Can we trust the indirect method?
Method B: Direct knowledge. Here's where it really gets interesting. How do we know if we have received direct knowledge from the source? What is the source of true knowledge and who determines that it is "the truth"?
Let's look objectively at the Christian faith. Today there are over 40,000 different denominations of Christianity all claiming to believe in Christ and the Bible. The question is, which Bible? There are now over 4000 different translation of the Bible, even though for 1500 years there was only one Bible, one Christian Church, one faith. To preserve (conserve) that faith Jesus said He would sent forth some as teachers, some as prophets, evangelizers, theologians, and even doctors of the Church to educate and train His followers. (Ephesians 4:11) These men had to be trained and qualified to teach. Who taught these men to become priests and bishops after the apostles died off?
Jesus also said He would send a Helper, the Paraclete (John 14:26), the Holy Ghost, Holy Spirit, to teach all things through His CHURCH. The question is, which one? Since the Holy Ghost proceeds from the Father and the Son, the Holy Ghost only can transmit the will of God. And Jesus said He would establish His Church the Holy Ghost giving the keys to Peter. (Matthew 16:18)
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What Jesus taught was left to 15-16 writers of the New Testament, from Mark to John the evangelist, Jesus's closest apostle around 100 A.D., in Ephesus after leaving the Isle of Patmos.
It took nearly 400 years for all the 73 books of the Bible, including the 16 writers' gospels and letters to be compiled and translated by Jerome in 382 A.D. Which Bible did Jerome complete? Every early historian and Bible scholar agrees it was the Latin Vulgate.
Why did Jesus say He came with a sword like a soldier in battle. A soldier doesn't go into battle just to defend himself. To win the battle he must also wield a sword to cut into the heart of the enemy with solid "truth" to destroy false teachings of the enemies of truth. This "sword of the spirit" includes the teachings of Christ revealed by His Holy Church. Jesus did this when He announced He was giving Peter the keys of the kingdom, giving him authority to guide the Church in all things. Jesus commanded Peter and all the apostles to, "Feed my sheep". (John 21:17) Finally, Jesus promised He would be with them until the end of time. (Matt. 28:20)
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Christians throughout history since Christ have had to battle "against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the high places." (Ephesians 6:15) Christians have been battling false teachings as well, sometimes coming from those who claim to be Christ "followers" as well. As in close combat with the enemy on a battlefield, sometimes the only way to identify the enemy is to pay attention to their appearance and the weapons and words they use. Enemies sometimes use words of truth among lies to appear righteous. This is where caution is required and wearing the complete suit of Christian armor.
Jesus taught in plain words so all could easily understand. However, what He taught had deeper meanings requiring the help of the Holy Ghost and His Church to fully understand His teachings. Therefore, we must listen to the Church on what it has taught in matters of faith and morals, pray and meditate on the teachings of His Church to gain a full understanding. John 17:3. He said we must seek, knock, and asking for God to guide us to find the truth. This is why He sent forth his apostles, disciples, saints and evangelizers to preach and teach His flock.
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What you read and see on this site come from two sources;
1.) Canon scripture; i.e., the 1582 Douay–Rheims Bible, translated directly from St Jerome's original Latin Vulgate of the 4th Century, re-affirmed by the Council of Trent, including all 73 books; and,
2.) Church tradition; both written and oral apostolic teachings and faithful bishops.
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See short video of St Jerome below and the doc on why he was so instrumental compiling and translation the original Bible in 382 A.D.
Tradition - Scripture - the Church
