The Counter Reformation: Elevating Tradition over Scripture
Publish date:
Sep 25, 2009
Summary:
Catholic doctrine places tradition in a higher position than Scripture.
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The Catholic Church has, in the past, tried to prohibit the reading and distribution of the Word of God. In fact, Pope Paul IV listed the Scriptures under the Index of Prohibited Books in 1599. In 1462, Archbishop Adolphus broke up the printing establishments of Gutenberg and Schoeffer in order to prevent Bible circulation.i
When banning the Bible could not quench the Word, the Word was made void through the doctrines of higher criticism. The authority of tradition was made more important than Scripture. The Church’s teachings that are in direct opposition to the plain “Thus saith the Lord.” Read about Catholic traditions that stem from pagan practices rather than the Word of God
Even today, Rome has not changed this stance:
The fact that Scripture and Tradition belong together accounts for two rules that direct the way the Church approaches God’s revelation. The first of these rules is stated very simply by Vatican II in these words: It follows from what has been said that the Church does not draw its knowledge of all that God has revealed from holy Scripture alone. That is why both (Tradition and Scripture) must be accepted and respected with equal affection and honour. Secondly, the unbreakable bond between Scripture and Tradition accounts for the fact that for Catholics, Tradition is the context within which the Scriptures are interpreted, just as Tradition itself has to be understood and lived with reference to Scripture.ii
Now if God commands me under pain of damnation to believe what He has taught, He is bound to give me the means to know what He has taught. What is this means? "The Bible," say the Protestants. But we Catholics say, "No, not the Bible, but the Church of God."iii
Jesus had a strong rebuke in John 5:46-47 for those who chose to question the validity of Scripture:
For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me, for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?
Ahead to Making the Pope Infallible
Back to The Counter Reformation
Back to Babylon Introduction
i. Samuel Smiles, The Huguenots (New York: Harper and Brothers, 1868): 17.
ii. Bonaventure Hinwood, More Answers to Your Questions (Human & Rousseau, 1983).
iii. "An Open Letter To Non-Catholics," Our Catholic Faith Website.
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This article is adapted from Truth Matters by Professor Walter J. Veith, an international speaker who has studied Biblical issues in-depth in his quest for truth. His popular series Genesis Conflict brings the debate between Creation and evolution to a new climax as he dissects the arguments with a scientific eye. His highly-acclaimed series Total Onslaught sheds light on the state of the world today as we move to a one-world government and an anticipated apocalypse.
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Disclaimer:
The contents of this article and website are not intended to accuse individuals. There are many priests and faithful believers in Roman Catholicism who serve God to the best of their ability and are seen by God as His children. The information contained herein is directed only towards the Roman Catholic religio-political system that has reigned in varying degrees of power for nearly two millennia. Under the influence of its successive popes, bishops, and cardinals, this system has established an increasing number of doctrines and statements that clearly go against Scripture.
It is our sincere desire to lay the clear Word of God before you, the truth-seeking reader, so you may decide for yourself what is truth and what is error. If you find herein anything contrary to the Word of God, you need not accept it. But if you desire to seek for Truth as for hidden treasure, and find herein something of that quality, we encourage you to make all haste to accept that Truth which is revealed to you by the Holy Spirit.
It is our sincere desire to lay the clear Word of God before you, the truth-seeking reader, so you may decide for yourself what is truth and what is error. If you find herein anything contrary to the Word of God, you need not accept it. But if you desire to seek for Truth as for hidden treasure, and find herein something of that quality, we encourage you to make all haste to accept that Truth which is revealed to you by the Holy Spirit.
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