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Sacred tradition and Sacred Scripture form one sacred
deposit of the word of God . . .
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Second Vatican Council. "Dogmatic Constitution on
Divine Revelation." no. 10
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It is important to notice that when they use the expression
the "word of God," they do not mean only the Sacred
Scriptures. Most Protestants use the expression the "word
of God" to refer to both the Old and New Testaments.
But the Roman Catholic Church teaches that the "word
of God" is both the Sacred Scripture
and sacred tradition. This is a serious issue because we
saw earlier that their sacred tradition has greater importance
to them. In the next statement, they say that neither Sacred
Scripture or sacred tradition can be completely trusted.
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It is clear, therefore, that sacred tradition, Sacred
Scripture and the teaching authority of the Church,
in accord with God's most wise design, are so linked
and joined together that one cannot stand without the
others, and that all together and each in its own way
under the action of the one Holy Spirit contribute
effectively to the salvation of souls.
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Second Vatican Council. "Dogmatic Constitution on
Divine Revelation." no. 10
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The absolute and ultimate authority is the teaching of the
church. They believe that this is "God's most wise design." We
will discover shortly that neither Jesus nor His apostles
taught this. This is not God's wise design but human manipulation.
In fact, scripture has a serious statement about those who
would do the teaching when it makes the following statement.
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But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some
will fall away from the faith, paying attention to
deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, by means
of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience
as with a branding iron,
men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from
foods,
which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those
who believe and know the truth.
(NASB)
Matt. 15:3, 9
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The religious leaders within the church forbid marriage and
forbid the eating of fish on Fridays and other times.
Jesus and Tradition.
In the gospel of Matthew we are told that some Pharisees and
scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem to ask Him why His disciples
had not washed their hands before eating. The Pharisees and
scribes were the religious leaders in Jerusalem and they
did not like other folks listening to and following Jesus
(John 11:47-52). Then Jesus answered with the following statement.
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And He answered and said to them, “And why do you
yourselves transgress the commandment of God for the
sake of your tradition? . . . BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP
ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.
(NASB)
Matt. 15:3, 9
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The gospel of Mark includes some additional statements made
by Jesus.
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“Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.” He
was also saying to them, “You nicely set aside the commandment of God in
order to keep your tradition." . . . thus invalidating the word of God by
your tradition which you have handed down; and you do many things such as that.”
(NASB)
Mark 7:8-9, 13
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