A little about me…(unlikely to show up on the CHN testimony page).About a year ago I wrote a post on my personal/devotional blog about my Catholic upbringing and my opposition to Roman Catholicism which in turn attracted some Catholic commenters and led to further posts on that topic. After many months I decided to start a new blog dedicated to exposing the false gospel of Roman Catholicism entitled But These Are Written after John 20:31.
If you have dealt with any Catholic e-pologists, you have likely heard John 20:30 used as a support for tradition: “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book”. The implication is that Jesus did many things that are not written down therefore, there must be a relevant source of information regarding faith and morals outside of scripture (tradition). The absurdity of this proof-text for the necessity of tradition is ironically found in the very next verse: “but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name”. Hence, what has been recorded in scripture is sufficient for salvation and was recorded for just that purpose.
With John 20:31 as my blogging motto, I have set out to document the counter-biblical beliefs of Roman Catholicism and the logical shortcomings of their authority system. In my initial interactions with Catholic e-pologists I dealt mostly with protestantized-types (“separated brethren” types) who were inconsistent with their own Church’s teachings, so I spent a lot of time establishing historical Roman Catholic beliefs from Roman Catholic documents. As such, I enjoy finding quotes/excerpts from Catholic source materials to flush out true Roman Catholic beliefs. I hope to do more of that here.
I would like to thank James for the opportunity to join him here at Beggars All. My work is nowhere near the caliber of James’ (nor near the caliber of many of the commenters here), but I hope I can at least provide some interesting points for discussion. I have no theological or philosophical training, I am simply a believer that loves the gospel and opposes false teachings that deny it.
My focus here will be solely Roman Catholicism.
“Is everything that God taught in the Bible?
No, the rest is in tradition.
‘Many other signs also did Jesus in the sight of His disciples, which are not written in this book." (John 20:30)’"
Source: A Brief Catechism for Adults, Lesson 2
Hi Carrie,
ReplyDeleteNice to know another ex-RC.
The question about tradition and the only thing that matters is this - is this and that tradition apostolic, ie originated from the Apostles of Jesus?
If so, then why is it not in the Bible? Say for example, Papal Infallability.
The RCC says believe this and that because we say so. This method is so unlike say the Apostle Paul who was not cheesed off because the Bereans checked if what he said could be squared from Scripture.
LPC
Welcome Carrie!
ReplyDeleteWelcome, Carrie.
ReplyDeleteI was raised Catholic but became Protestant in my teen years. I have been a member of the OPC for the last 13 years after discovering Reformed theology.
I have read your blog from time to time and am looking forward to your work here.
All God's Best,
Pilgrimsarbour
I just finished a blog entry over on aomin related to Scripture and Tradition:
ReplyDeleteMaterial Sufficiency and Joseph Ratzinger
The Scriptures are materially sufficient.Some Catholics advocate a particular form of this view. But they will never be able to be consistent to an exclusive source of revelation without radical redefinition of terms. In some way, partim-partim will have to be redefined to mean "totem in sacra scriptura- totem in traditione."
James,
ReplyDeleteI read your article on aomin already and it has me thinking about a few things. I have to think it over some more.
Anyway, great article.
Carrie,
ReplyDeleteIf you don't have David King's book on Sola Scriptura, you really need to get it. All 3 volumes are excellent, but volume 1 is a must have. David has a great chapter on Tradition, and really puts things in perspective. I keep this book on my desk, and use it often.
Blessings!
James