Sacred Tradition in English please?

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Can someone explain to me the concept of Sacred Tradition in the King’s English? I’ve read articles about it and glanced at Wikipedia, and my eyes are just going crossed.

I did not grow up in the Catholic tradition so please, no big fancy words. 🙂 Just “bread & butter”-like explainations.

Thanks. 😉
 
Can someone explain to me the concept of Sacred Tradition in the King’s English? I’ve read articles about it and glanced at Wikipedia, and my eyes are just going crossed.

I did not grow up in the Catholic tradition so please, no big fancy words. 🙂 Just “bread & butter”-like explainations.

Thanks. 😉
Ok, in the most simple terms…

Many Protestant denominations are founded on the “Bible Alone”. Everything they do must be supported directly by evidence from the Bible.

Catholics and the Orthodox are different. We also have “Sacred Tradition”, which are teachings of the Church that have been handed down orally since the time of the Apostles. The Bible was originally oral teaching as well, but that portion was written down in the early church.

For Protestants, if a tradition isn’t specifically in the Bible, then it should be avoided.

For Catholics and the Orthodox, if a tradition dates to the earliest days of the church, AND it does not DIRECTLY CONTRADICT the Bible, then it’s ok.

An example of a Catholic teaching that comes primarily from oral tradition would be the Assumption of Mary.
 
Keep in mind that the Bible itself is tradition.

After all, there’s not a list that came down with it saying what was supposed to be in it, is there?

Even the chapter and verse numbers are a rather late tradition, as the earliest Biblical mss don’t contain them.
 
St. Paul makes several references to sacred Tradition:

1 Corinthians 11:2:
I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I have delivered them to you.
2 Thessalonians 2:15:
So, then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter.
2 Thessalonians 3:6:
Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is living in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.
 
Rolltide, et al:

Not a bad differentiation of Catholic and Protestant views of sacred tradition. I would add a bit of a caveat to your view of Protestants. Lutherans and many Anglicans take a bit wider view of tradition. Luther was pretty plain in saying that if something were not specifically forbidden by Scripture, why not? That is the whole idea of adiophora. It is not necessary, but not evil per-se.

This is why Lutheran and Anglican liturgies, vestments, etc. are so close to the Latin Rite.
 
Thank you everyone; those descriptions were MUCH more understandable then anything I’ve read out there. 🙂
Ok, in the most simple terms…

Many Protestant denominations are founded on the “Bible Alone”. Everything they do must be supported directly by evidence from the Bible.

Catholics and the Orthodox are different. We also have “Sacred Tradition”, which are teachings of the Church that have been handed down orally since the time of the Apostles. The Bible was originally oral teaching as well, but that portion was written down in the early church.

For Protestants, if a tradition isn’t specifically in the Bible, then it should be avoided.

For Catholics and the Orthodox, if a tradition dates to the earliest days of the church, AND it does not DIRECTLY CONTRADICT the Bible, then it’s ok.

An example of a Catholic teaching that comes primarily from oral tradition would be the Assumption of Mary.
That makes sense. Now when you say “earliest days of the church”, is there a specific cut-off date so to speak? Does Sacred Tradition have to come directly from an Apostle? Because what about things like the Rosary, for example? The Rosary isn’t mentioned anywhere in the bible and to my understanding (although please correct me if I’m wrong) it’s considered Sacred Tradition. But didn’t the Rosary come along later (I wanna say around 1000, or perhaps a little earlier)? Can things be added to Sacred Tradition today (and if so, how is that justified as “from the earliest days of the church”)?

Just curious. 🙂 Thank you again for your down-to-earth explainations!
 
Making a shot in the dark here. I wouldn’t say the rosary came from Sacred Tradition. It has become a tradition in the church (with a small t). It is biblically based of course in it’s lines but I don’t know the origin of it as a prayer. I know that in Marion apparitions, Mary has asked that people pray the rosary. However, the church does not “require” that people believe in the Marion apparitions. I think the sacraments and the Mass qualify as Sacred Tradition.

I think it would be helpful if there were a list of Sacred Tradition doctrinal teachings. I think the perpetual virginity of Mary is definitely one of them. Presumably,Purgatory is also and there is some biblical support for the concept although it isn’t very clear.

It is indeed diffifulty to thoroughly study the church, its full teachings and their historical basis. It is quite “full” and it is a living tragedy that there isn’t more christian unity. There is such a seemingly insurmountable barrier to explain, persuade non-Catholics what the RCC is about and why it is the original and full church. Even converting clergy often take years to vet their questions. Quick and easy answers you won’t find but a wealth of materials and people who can assist your journey. Even Catholics are on a journey to better understanding and practicing.
 
Making a shot in the dark here. I wouldn’t say the rosary came from Sacred Tradition. It has become a tradition in the church (with a small t). It is biblically based of course in it’s lines but I don’t know the origin of it as a prayer. I know that in Marion apparitions, Mary has asked that people pray the rosary. However, the church does not “require” that people believe in the Marion apparitions. I think the sacraments and the Mass qualify as Sacred Tradition.
Ohhh I see. And I’m assuming other prayers, like, the Chaplet, fall into that same category? (I’m trying to think of other things I’ve heard Catholics pray/say/do…). And the use of statues? Does this fall under “tradition with a little t” as well?
I think it would be helpful if there were a list of Sacred Tradition doctrinal teachings. I think the perpetual virginity of Mary is definitely one of them. Presumably,Purgatory is also and there is some biblical support for the concept although it isn’t very clear.
I couldn’t agree more. 😛
It is indeed diffifulty to thoroughly study the church, its full teachings and their historical basis. It is quite “full” and it is a living tragedy that there isn’t more christian unity. There is such a seemingly insurmountable barrier to explain, persuade non-Catholics what the RCC is about and why it is the original and full church. Even converting clergy often take years to vet their questions.
Oh, I hear ya about the “diffifulty to thoroughly study the church” part. Lately I’ve been trying to find out just when exactly the apocrypha was added…or taken out. Whatever the thuth is. I assumed it’d be reletively easy to find (I mean this is history after all. *Documented *history! How can we not know?), yet I swear, there are so many arguments and “facts” and opinions about the matter…and I must say, I really believe BOTH sides make one heck of an argument. The Catholics swear up and down “No no, the Protestants took them out!”, the protestants say “No no, the Catholics added them.” One source said, “Well, the Catholics added only one book around the time of the Reformation”, other says “Nuh uh!”. I even found one source on the internet that said it had nothing to do with *either *church, that publishers actually took them out of bibles to save money and no one noticed for years! (not sure how true that is).

I don’t mean to open up that can of worms, and I don’t mean to get off topic (there’s an entire thread dedicated to this topic), but my point is something like this, to me, should be easy to find. Yet I’ve seen evidence on both sides that make one heck of a case. 🤷 So now I just file that issue under “Things I Will Worry About Later”. Lol!!! 🙂
Quick and easy answers you won’t find but a wealth of materials and people who can assist your journey. Even Catholics are on a journey to better understanding and practicing.
Yeah, that is one thing I’ve noticed that is a little frustrating. And to be fair, aren’t we all on that journey? Catholic, Protestant, etc., we’re all learning and growing (God willing). 🙂

Thank you for your imput.
 
Of course, the main collection of Catholic doctrine is the Catechism of the Catholic Church. You can find it online and access it for free. However, I think you have to start with the table of contents and select topics, then go and read them. I suppose you could download it piece by piece. It is the complete condensation of the bible, Sacred Tradition and Catholic interpretation and refinements through history with help from theologians. You will see that the topics reference distilled doctrine from these sources all melded together. They sources are referenced by footnote such as the worldwide church meetings when the definitive doctrine was “established” that Jesus possessed a divine nature and a human nature, when and where the specific of the Nicene Creed were determined.

The Catechism is probably be the most helpful place to start. It references some Church history, some “Church Fathers” but only to show how the specific doctrines came to be.

There’s a book which I haven’t actually seen but have seen its authors on TV. It’s one of the Dummy books: Catholicism for Dummies. That probably is a very good place to also start for big picture explanations.
 
Of course, the main collection of Catholic doctrine is the Catechism of the Catholic Church. You can find it online and access it for free.
Actually, I own a copy. 🙂 (I have a very extensive library of Christian materials. 😃 One of the perks of working at a Christian bookstore for so many years). I tried reading it, however I just couldn’t understand it. The wording was WAY over my head…especially since I have no Catholic background. A lot of the terms were unfamiliar to me. :o
There’s a book which I haven’t actually seen but have seen its authors on TV. It’s one of the Dummy books: Catholicism for Dummies. That probably is a very good place to also start for big picture explanations.
I’ve flipping through a copy of “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Catholicism” before, but it’s been awhile. I should pick it up again.

Thanks again for the info. 🙂
 
Instead of the Idiot’s Guide I’d suggest This is The Faith by Canon Francis Ripley. Much better source of what the Church believes practices and why.

IME general Christian bookstores are not the best sources for Catholics. They have a very limited selection of Catholic books as they tend to cater to Evangelical Protestants.
 
I’ve flipping through a copy of “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Catholicism” before, but it’s been awhile. I should pick it up again.
Ditch “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Catholcism”. It contains many factual errors, and the authors are so liberal as to make parts of the book actually heretical to Catholic teaching. Instead, go with “Catholicism for Dummies”, which is an accurate and faithful rendering of Catholic teachings that’s endorsed by the church.
 
IME general Christian bookstores are not the best sources for Catholics. They have a very limited selection of Catholic books as they tend to cater to Evangelical Protestants.
Oh believe me, I know. 😛 Worked in the business for years. And thank you for your suggestion. 🙂
 
Ditch “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Catholcism”. It contains many factual errors, and the authors are so liberal as to make parts of the book actually heretical to Catholic teaching. Instead, go with “Catholicism for Dummies”, which is an accurate and faithful rendering of Catholic teachings that’s endorsed by the church.
Really?! :confused: Very good to know, thanks. 🙂
 
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