When Paul wrote this. Scripture was not yet complete. Not to mention there were probably parts of scripture which had not been given to the whole church. It would not be valid today. Not to mention. Tradition can not contradict scripture can it? If it does. scripture would trump tradition.
Nonsense, Paul himself writes many many times in his letters to hold fast to the traditions passed on by word of mouth as well. Scripture and Tradition are part of each other. They don't trump each other, they compliment each other. Paul didn't add a clarification in his letters saying that the teachings based on oral tradition would be secondary to Scripture. In fact, if one looks at his writings, he fully expected that they'd be on par.
No one was aloud to own a bible for hundreds of years. When the roman church would read the bible. it was read mostly in latin (the pope wants to return to this "tradition") which is a language most people could not understand. So all they had was a reading, then maybe a priest giving an interpretation. which no one could counter because few, if any, would even know what the priest read to question his interpretation.
It's not that people weren't allowed to own a bible, it more like they simply couldn't afford one. Prior to the invention of the printing press, each copy of the Bible was copied by hand and took many many months to make. They weren't exactly cheap. And one nice thing about Latin is that since it's a "dead" language, it's meanings don't change over time. Plus, since most of the early Christians were based in the Roman empire at first, it's natural that the language of the Romans be used. Another advantage of Latin is that it's meanings don't change over time since it's a "dead" language. Think about it, even in my own lifetime I've seen numerous words in the English language take on new definitions and uses. Latin doesn't have that.
Yes, alot of so called "protestant" churches have 20 minute sermonets with very little scripture. But many of them actually walk through the bible book by book. Which I know catholic churches do not do. (I have attended quite a few catholic mass, and saw really no teaching at all. just reading. then a "20 minute sermonete"
It's called a homily, not a "sermonette". And you'll note that at EVERY Catholic and Orthodox liturgy, there is a New Testament reading, an Old Testament reading, and a reading from the Gospel. The priest's homilies are usually expounding on the Gospel readings of the day. You know, a sermon based on the Scripture that was read. Not only are there three Scripture readings, a good majority of the prayers are based on Psalms or on prayers from the minor prophets. In fact, as I pointed out before, if you faithfully attend mass every week, you'll hear pretty much the entire Bible read to you over the course of three years.
Having the bible read to you, and teaching what the bible says is not the same. I read the bible to my children when they were growing up. It does not mean they understood what I was saying.
The pharisees had the most accurate OT anyone could ever have, written not only in the language the testament was written in, but a language they spoke., yet they still got it wrong, and mistranslated it. It is not the translation, it is people who get it wrong. because of their refusal to look with open hearts. They, as the pharisees did, Translate the bible to fit their beliefs, not form their beliefs by looking at the word to see what God wants them to know.
Amen to that. However, I feel that you and I both think the other's viewpoints the be the modern day pharisee's viewpoint.
The scripture is quite clear that the word of God guides the church in all things, The the word of God is Gods letter to us, and that it is to be the foundation of the church. A church that does not have the words of God as its foundation is in danger of straying from Gods intended purpose for the church.
And it's quite clear from the Scriptures that the word of God includes both written AND oral tradition. And that both have equal authority in His Church.
The HS was promised to everyone who believes, and it was promised that he would teach ALL MEN the truth. It is men who do not listen to the HS. The church has nothing to do with this.
The Holy Spirit guides the Church and helps it. Remember that Our Lord promised that the gates of hell itself would not be able to withstand the Church. And again, the Scriptures also point to the Church as the pillar and foundation of Truth. The Church, guided by the Holy Spirit sets the standard for men to follow.
