Bible and Tradition: How do you respond?

[De_Maria]

So, a lot of reasonable protestants agree that Sacred Tradition is important, but they will claim the the Sacred Tradition is not as well preserved, there is no 1 compilation of sacred tradition and thus it cannot come close to the Bible. How would you respond?

Well, first, I’d respond with a question that Jesus asked:

Luke 5:23 Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’?

But I would adapt it. I’d ask, "which is easier for God to preserve? Sacred Tradition or Scripture?

The point being, is there anything that God can’t do? Can God preserve Sacred Tradition, yes or no? The answer should be, “yes”.

Second, I’d point out that if they had answered, “no”, they would have also decimated Scripture. Because Scripture teaches that Scripture is part of Tradition. Get a KJV and turn to 2 Thess 2:15.

2 Thessalonians 2:15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

Notice that St. Paul doesn’t say, hold on to Scripture and Tradition. Nor does he say, “hold on to Scripture alone.” He says, “hold on to the TRADITIONS which we pass on to you both in oral teaching and in our letters (i.e. scriptures).”

Why is that? Well, because the important thing is to hold on to the Word of God, which both contain. You don’t have to convince them that Sacred Scripture contains the Word of God. But you will have to show them that Tradition is the Word of God. Luckily, Scripture does that for you. This time, turn to 1 Thess 2:13.

1 Thessalonians 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.