Hi Marthina. Thanks for your comment. Indeed, one of the most cunning schemes Satan uses to wean people from a childlike faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross is to impose on them the necessity to experience spirituality. Beware of teachers who tell you “you must do this or that” to come into God’s presence or experience his presence or experience the Holy Spirit’s fire. It is not of God. It also includes things like speaking in tongues, falling backward (slain in the spirit), prophesying, dreams, and visions.

I am ashamed to admit not reading much or understanding most of the Bible all my life (recently born again) but now I can not stop reading and studying TheWord of God!! And, of course, nowhere do we read about the born-again believers practicing this.

I could go into the details of what every ‘station’ represent and how you can meditate on the different themes and bringing it back to what God is doing in your life right. But I am sure you get the picture.
I have read extensively on this site all things RC and the different traditions being performed, especially this time of the year. Thought I would shed some light on this…

1. What they say squares perfectly with Catholic Tradition…thats the whole point.

2. huh? I don’t understand your point…i replied to the article and your post. There are no bunny trails.

Peace

BB

Thanks for reply

1. The early Christians I am referring to are the disciples of the disciples of Jesus. In particular Ignacious of Antioch and Polycarp

What has Ignacious and Polycarp said that is not already said in the Bible?

2. The quote is from the protestant author and not my own.

You truly are as your nickname says… a bunnytrail.

1. The early Christians I am referring to are the disciples of the disciples of Jesus. In particular Ignacious of Antioch and Polycarp

2. The quote is from the protestant author and not my own.

Bunnytrails

I agree with all your points except

“d.) Has clearly not found inspiration from the early Christians themselves via the writings of the Early Church Fathers.”

Who are these early church fathers you are referring to?

one cannot find a single passage that states that “the written Word alone, and not tradition also, is our sole authority for faith and practice.”

Disagree. What other litarature would you refer to for authority regarding your faith?

I read the arguments against tradition. It was a good article but forgets a few things…

1. Whenever the word “scripture” is mentioned in the new testament it refers to the old testament. There was no new testament as we have it today.

2. Jesus fulfills the Law perfectly and encourages his hearers to follow the teachings of the Old Covenant as his time had not yet come to liberate them – the traditions given by those in the seat of Moses was to be accepted and followed except when it transgresses Law i.e “Corbin” is in direct violation of “Honour thy mother and father”, and it is the one of the few examples other than divorce we have in scripture that Jesus criticizes.

3. Also the role of teachers in this article is diminished as scripture is held to interpret itself. How can this be? If it is so then all Christians should be on the same page. Human frailty and sin darkens the mind. Most people do not know how to think aright as it is. Would you trust a plumber with your brain surgery?

4. There are historical discrepancies:

a.) The author seems to think that all scripture was available freely and liberally, which is not the case. Some Christian communities didn’t even have the Gospels, while some had the letters of Paul, and others only has teachers who were disciples of the apostles. There was no xerox machines unfortunately.
b.) Seems to have little understanding of Jewish customs and the role of tradition in the Judaic and early – Christian traditions.
c.) Jesus and in fact his apostles have quoted the rabbinical traditions, contrary to the authors article.
d.) Has clearly not found inspiration from the early Christians themselves via the writings of the Early Church Fathers.

5. Finally the Church has never called tradition (which comprises of interpretation of scripture etc.) higher than Written tradition, nor has it claimed the ability to “create truth”. She is merely defender and safeguard to the entire Gospel. Particularly against the heresies.

In summery: I enjoyed the article and liked the genuine tone and particularly this part:

In summary, one cannot find a single passage that states that “the written Word alone, and not tradition also, is our sole authority for faith and practice.” At the same time, what must also be admitted is that repeatedly, the Old Testament writers, Jesus, and the apostles, turn to the Scriptures as their measuring stick, and commend the same to any and all that would follow them.

In essence he was giving his opinion on the subject and will find many who share his views that will agree or even disagree. One can never be sure. And that is the problem.

Here you go.