Catholic Verses - 95 Bibles Passages That Confound Protestants?
THE BINDING AUTHORITY OF TRADITION, ACCORDING TO ST. PAUL
Pages 37-38: 1 Corinthians 11:2: "I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I have delivered them to you." 1 Thessalonians 2:13: "And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers." 2 Thessalonians 2:15: "So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter." 2 Thessalonians 3:6: "Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is living in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us." Catholics believe that there is such a thing as a binding, authoritative Sacred Tradition and that it is explicitly indicated in the Bible (notably in the above passages). We believe that the Church is the guardian of this apostolic Tradition, passed down continuously through history from the Apostles.
Note: Saint Paul taught the Corinthians the traditions as examples that were based on the written Old Testament.
1 Corinthians 10:6-11 Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.
Page 38: With regard to Tradition, the question is not whether but which? Protestants have traditions just as Catholics do. But they are less grounded in history. They are arbitrary (excepting those that agree with the Catholic Church, because they can be traced back historically). Since Luther was starting a new tradition, he could not appeal to history and thus was forced (rather than admit he was actually wrong about anything) to rely on the Bible alone. Yet the Bible itself points to an authoritative Church and Tradition.
Note: In context, Saint Paul's witnessing tradition included both verbal reasoning and written epistles based on Scriptures.
Acts 17:1-4 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.” And some of them were persuaded; and a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the leading women, joined Paul and Silas.
Page 40: In the theologically supercharged sixteenth century, it was probably impossible for the polemics to have been otherwise, but it is disappointing that a man of the intellect of John Calvin could not discuss the larger issues of Tradition, Church, and authority without resorting to anti-Catholic mudslinging. Be that as it may, it is scarcely possible to discuss that issue constructively, because (in my opinion) Protestants are so afraid that any serious discussion of Tradition will cast doubt on sola Scripura and lead to undesired "Catholic" consequences.
Note: In context, Saint Paul's working tradition was to be an example for all Christians.
2 Thessalonians 3:6-9 But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.
Note: Maybe the author should follow Saint Paul's working tradition and get a job.