Where the Pharisees breaking the Moral Law in St. Matthew 15:1-6

[YehoiakhinEx232]

I’m studying for my upcoming Sola Scriptura debate. And I have a question about St. Matthew 15:1-6, are the Pharisees breaking the natural law in it? If so, should I respond by pointing this out? Or should I just dismiss it as off-topic?

I have told by fellow-Traditional Catholics, that I am overthinking things when I discuss the arguments, I am considering using for the upcoming debate.

 

[ahs]

They were breaking the command to honor our parents, particularly by providing for them in their old age or time of need. Under the guise of “it’s better to provide to the House of God, and thereby honor your parents by giving honor to God”, the Pharisees were taking these donations and giving people an excuse to not have to care for their parents in need. It’s hypocrisy, but I am not sure how you’d use that in a debate on sola Scriptura? Are you arguing from the point of view that the Pharisees used their own understanding of the written Word in order to twist the meaning of the Word to suit their selfish desires for Temple donations?

 

[Wesrock]

They were breaking the command to honor our parents, particularly by providing for them in their old age or time of need. Under the guise of “it’s better to provide to the House of God, and thereby honor your parents by giving honor to God”, the Pharisees were taking these donations and giving people an excuse to not have to care for their parents in need. It’s hypocrisy, but I am not sure how you’d use that in a debate on sola Scriptura? Are you arguing from the point of view that the Pharisees used their own understanding of the written Word in order to twist the meaning of the Word to suit their selfish desires for Temple donations?

I am guessing the opposing side is using this verse to attack Catholic traditions as “traditions of men”. Your explanation of the verse is on point. These pharisees were manipulating their temple donations to enrich themselves rather than take care of their parents. They were manipulating the law in a very legalistic sense for their own gain.

So Catholics are obliged to attend mass every Sunday, but we’re missing the point of the obligation if we go while sick, or if we drag a sick child to mass, or if our child broke his arm and we went to mass instead of the hospital to meet our obligation, or if I hit somebody else’s car with mine on a Sunday morning and used the Sunday obligation as an excuse to hit and run. We are supposed to go to mass every Sunday, but that is meant for our spiritual benefit, not as a soulless and legalistic exercise.

 

[De_Maria]

I’m studying for my upcoming Sola Scriptura debate.

Good luck and God bless you.

And I have a question about St. Matthew 15:1-6, are the Pharisees breaking the natural law in it?

They are breaking the Commandment to honor Father and Mother.

Matt 15:3 He said to them in reply, “And why do you break the commandment of God[c] for the sake of your tradition? 4 For God said, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and ‘Whoever curses father or mother shall die.’ 5 [d]But you say, ‘Whoever says to father or mother, “Any support you might have had from me is dedicated to God,” 6 need not honor his father.’ You have nullified the word of God for the sake of your tradition.

If so, should I respond by pointing this out?

You could. You could point out that the tradition that Jesus is condemning, is a human tradition which contradicts God’s will, much like Sola Scriptura. By denying the Traditions of Jesus Christ, Sola Scriptura contradicts God’s command to “hear the Church” (Matt 18:17) and to obey your rulers (Heb 13:17) and to hold the Traditions (2 Thess 2:15).

Or should I just dismiss it as off-topic?

If this is a written debate, you could ignore it to save space until you are ready to address it. But I wouldn’t dismiss it as off-topic.

I have told by fellow-Traditional Catholics, that I am overthinking things when I discuss the arguments, I am considering using for the upcoming debate.

You shouldn’t limit the arguments in your arsenal. You should consider when and how to employ them. And you should try to predict what your opponent will say in response in order to have a rebuttal ready at hand.