 |
|
     |
|
|
|
Patrick Henry Reardon writes concerning the use of "tradition" in the NT (2 Thes 2:15 especially): "In this respect it is important, I believe, not to interject into Paul's formula a later controversy between the Protestants and the Council of Trent. We observe that Paul does not distinguish between 'Scripture and Tradition.' For him, the apostolic writings are not a separate entity, something apart from and somehow superior to the traditions. The Scriptures are one of the means by which the 'traditions' are handed down. Whether written down or conveyed orally, the 'traditions' are of the same weight, because the apostolic authority is identical."
Let's say I grant the point (which I do): Paul spoke as well as wrote authoritatively, as, I suppose, Moses did as well. But this misses the critical point: How can we identify the traditions that are genuine traditions from Paul the apostles and the ones that are not? Since we haven't had apostles around since the first century, we do need to have some way of judging whether some practice or teaching emanating from, say, Thessaloniki came from Paul or was cooked up by some ambitious but unbalanced deacon. The textual diversity of the NT makes even the written record tricky to deal with; how much more unwritten tradition?
posted by Peter J. Leithart on Thursday, November 03, 2005 at 10:17 AM
Permission is given to use material on this site, provided the source is cited, blog entries are republished in full, and the author is notified in advance.
1 & 2 Kings
Brazos Theological Commentary
The Promise Of His Appearing: An Exposition Of Second Peter
A Great Mystery: Fourteen Wedding Sermons
Deep Comedy: Trinity, Tragedy, And Hope In Western Literature
Miniatures & Morals: The Christian Novels of Jane Austen
The Priesthood of the Plebs: A Theology of Baptism
A Son To Me: An Exposition of 1 & 2 Samuel
From Silence to Song: The Davidic Liturgical Revolution
Ascent to Love: A Guide to Dante's Divine Comedy
Blessed Are the Hungry: Meditations on the Lord's Supper
A House For My Name: A Survey of the Old Testament
Heroes of the City of Man: A Christian Guide to Select Ancient Literature
Brightest Heaven of Invention: A Christian Guide To Six Shakespeare Plays
Wise Words: Family Stories That Bring the Proverbs to Life
The Kingdom and the Power: Rediscovering the Centrality of the Church
