I posted this in another forum.
Ps. 119
This Psalm is an acclamation of the Scriptures, made up of 176 verses
(longest chapter in the Bible) mentioning the Word of God 178 times
using 10 different synonyms. The Scriptures are presented as being
totally sufficient for the follower of God in all matters pertaining to
instruction, training, and correction. It is significant that though
Scripture is mentioned 178 times, the concept of unwritten Tradition
is never mentioned once. In fact, there is no acclamation of or
meditation on unwritten Tradition in such a way anywhere in Scripture.
This would be problematic if one were to believe that the concept of
unwritten Tradition is on equal footing as Scripture, yet the Bible
never mentions it. It would be the greatest case of neglect that one
could find.
Acts 17:10–11
“The brothers sent Paul and Silas off to Berea at once, during the night.
When they arrived, they went to the Jewish synagogue. These Jews
were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they eagerly
received the message, examining the scriptures carefully every day to
see if these things were so.”
Scripture explicitly states that no one is to add to or take away from the Word
of God. These warnings would be meaningless if there was not some objective
way for one to judge if he or she was adding to God’s Word, since unwritten
Tradition is by nature beyond this type of examination. These commands are
warnings against traditions that add to the complete and sufficient Word of
God. They would only make sense if the Scriptures were sufficient and
complete.
Deut. 4:2
“Do not add a thing to what I command you nor subtract from it, so
that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God that I
am delivering to you.”
Rev. 22:18–19
“I testify to the one who hears the words of the prophecy contained in
this book: If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues
described in this book. And if anyone takes away from the words of
this book of prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life
and in the holy city that are described in this book.”
Concerning the sufficiency of Scripture, the Westminster Catechism says:
“The whole counsel of God, concerning all things necessary for his
own glory, man’s salvation, faith, and life, is either expressly set down
in scripture, or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced
from scripture; unto which, nothing at any time is to be added,
whether by new revelations of the Spirit, or traditions of men” (1:6).
If the Roman pontiff, the “Vicar of Christ”, or the magisterium is going to
speak on behalf of Christ, being successors to the apostles’ office, authority,
and infallibility, they must show the signs of one who speaks for God as
prescribed in Scripture.
Deut. 18:20–22
“But if any prophet presumes to speak anything in my name that I have
not authorized him to speak, or speaks in the name of other gods, that
prophet must die. Now if you say to yourselves, ‘How can we tell that
a message is not from the LORD?’ —whenever a prophet speaks in my
name and the prediction is not fulfilled, then I have not spoken it; the
prophet has presumed to speak it, so you need not fear him.”
2 Cor. 12:12
“Indeed, the signs of an apostle were performed among you with great
perseverance by signs and wonders and powerful deeds.”
The Scriptures speak explicitly against the “traditions of men” as misleading
and often in opposition to God’s written Word. Therefore, all traditions must
submit to Scripture.
Matt. 15:2–6
“‘Why do your disciples disobey the tradition of the elders? For they
don’t wash their hands when they eat.’ He answered them, ‘And why
do you disobey the commandment of God because of your tradition?
For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Whoever insults
his father or mother must be put to death.’ But you say, ‘If someone
tells his father or mother, ‘Whatever help you would have received
from me is given to God,’’ he does not need to honor his father. You
have nullified the word of God on account of your tradition.”
