What do Catholics mean by the statement that they believe in Scripture plus Tradition? Here are some sources of common confusion amongst non-Catholics (and even some poorly catechized Catholics) that I’ve run into. I hope this helps:(1) Tradition is a Separate Deposit of Faith from Scripture. (Alternatively: Tradition and Scripture Are Identical).Neither view is correct.… Continue reading Common Misunderstandings About Catholic Tradition
Tag: tradition
Body of St. Paul Found… In His Own Sarcophagus!
Tip of the hat to Jacob Rodman for sending this my way! If you’re not aware, yesterday was the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, the two men accredited with founding the Church in Rome. Last year, Pope Benedict XVI declared a Year of St. Paul to celebrate his incredible contributions to Christianity: so yesterday,… Continue reading Body of St. Paul Found… In His Own Sarcophagus!
Did the Catholic Church Set the Canon?
The latest in the ongoing dialogue with Reese. He’s in red, I’m the rest. Today, we’re looking at whether the Catholic Church gave us the Bible. 7) The canon was not “set” by a Catholic authority, but rather the existing de facto standard was ratified. If one’s faith was “shaky” in the absence of the… Continue reading Did the Catholic Church Set the Canon?
Luke 1 and Sola Scriptura: An Intro Explored
Here’s how St. Luke begins his Gospel: 1 Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the events that have been fulfilled among us,2 just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning and ministers of the word have handed them down to us,3 I too have decided, after investigating everything accurately anew, to… Continue reading Luke 1 and Sola Scriptura: An Intro Explored
He took it down!
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention this: I sent a copy of this post to Reese Currie, the author of the page I was criticizing, “Can Catholic Tradition Be Valid?” He responded, and we started what I think has been a really great dialogue. He has had a lot of qualms and questions… Continue reading He took it down!
Tradition, pt. 3: When did the Church add THAT?
For part 3 of this segment on Tradition, I thought I’d answer one of the Church’s critics. I was reading an article by someone named Reese Currie for something called Compass Distributors (who charge themselves with “Distributing Christian Truth to all points of the compass”). The article was called, “Can Catholic Tradition Be Valid?” The… Continue reading Tradition, pt. 3: When did the Church add THAT?
Tradition, pt. 2: Development of Doctrine v. Continuous Revelation
The Church believes that doctrines can develop over time, as we understand them better, but this is the organic growth from an apostolic root, not a new plant. John Henry Cardinal Newman described it like this, in opposing the idea of an absolutely new revelation: “Revelation is all in all in doctrine; the Apostles its… Continue reading Tradition, pt. 2: Development of Doctrine v. Continuous Revelation
Tradition, pt. 1: Scripture & Tradition
Catholic Tradition is confusing to some non-Catholics, so I thought I’d briefly address the issue. Sacred Tradition is binding to Catholics, and for good reason: the Bible says it is. In 2 Thessalonians 2:15, Paul instructs his readers to “stand firm, and cling to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by word… Continue reading Tradition, pt. 1: Scripture & Tradition