I have seen two approaches to Church Tradition:

1. Tradition is not necessarily in Scripture (I think this is called "partim-partim").

2. All Church Tradition is implicitly, if not explicitly, in Scripture (I think this is "material sufficiency").

Can anyone shed some more light on these two different views and what the advantages/disadvantages and truth of each are? Does it even matter as long as Tradition doesn't contradict Scripture?

I've usually seen this brought up in apologetics discussions and it is usually used against Church apologists. Thanks in advance for any replies.

-- Andy S ("ask3332004@yahoo.com"), October 19, 2004

Answers

bump

-- Andy S ("ask3332004@yahoo.com"), October 19, 2004.

For the answer you have to read Acts of the Apostotles (ever wonder why Acts isn't used more often as proof texts?) In Acts you see an account of the early Church and how they developed (added apostles, added hierarchy with the deacons, etc). You see how they understood their mandate to teach and what it was they were holding on to... it wasn't just the Old Testament or Gospel - after all, no one had written it down yet! It was the whole message and story and exeperience of Christ, cruxified and risen.

They knew the Jewish scriptures - and saw their fulfillment in Christ. But they also had the vivid recollection of Our Lord's words and deeds. And they had the experience of the Holy Spirit as well as the guidance of those apostles selected by Our Lord and given power and authority to teach and make disciples.

Thus the picture we get is not sola scritura or sola traditio but a living church composed of some men who have authority from on high, teaching the rest of us the fulness of truth via letters (which became the New Testament) and word and deed (traditions both small t and Capital T).

Part of Tradition is liturgy, theology, and morality - i.e. the sacramental system, the explanation of who Jesus is and how a disciple ought to live vis a vis God and one another.

Hope this helps.

Peace

-- Joe (joestong@yahoo.com), October 19, 2004.

Yes, that helps a lot Joe. Thanks.

-- Andy S ("ask3332004@yahoo.com"), October 19, 2004.