Traditions of the Fathers verses the Bible?

I think you are on to something here, but lets think this through a little closer. The real question is whether or not there is a valid reason to believe these "traditions" are in some way connected with Paul and the early Christians and not invented after the fact.

Was Paul a Mormon? The obvious answer is no, Mormonism didn't even exist. There is also a problem in that some of the basic teachings of Mormonism contradicts scripture in a big way. The "lost tribes" went into captivity because they turned away from God and adopted beliefs that they should not have. The prophesy in Ezekiel of the "two sticks" is about Israel returning to God and being rejoined to the Jewish people, not a book based on the beliefs of a group of people who had turned away from God being joined to the bible. Traditions handed down through the Mormons becomes irrelevant.

Was Paul a protestant? Obviously the answer is no, protestantism did not exist until a few hundred years ago. Without being able to trace a "tradition" back well past the beginning of protestant denominations any claim by protestants of traditions not supported by scripture become shaky.

Was Paul a Catholic and could these traditions handed down to Paul have been Catholic? Again no, there is no credible proof that the Catholic church existed then and certainly could not have preexisted Paul.

In Acts 28:17 Paul says he has done nothing "against the people, or against the customs of our fathers". Who were these "fathers"? Read the verse in context and see who he is speaking to.

Here is the problem I see, if Paul is telling the truth then what he is saying is that he has done nothing contrary to the customs of Judaism. Teaching that God could somehow become a man would certainly be against the customs of Judaism. On the other hand, if he isn't telling the truth then can we really believe anything else Paul says? When one quotes the "Church fathers" they are quoting men who lived a couple of centuries after the beginning of Christianity, men who were biased against the "traditions of the fathers" that Paul says he had not done anything against. How much faith are you willing to place in the traditions handed down through these Church fathers?

I am a Protestant who believes that the word of God in the Bible is the sole authority that we should always turn to for the answers. But to get those answers we have to really study the Bible and compare Scripture with Scripture. Cherry- picking the Scriptures is a non starter.

The traditions of the main line churches have loaded their doctrines with so much extra and superfluous additions which confuse rather than enlighten. The word of God itself tells us that holy men of old have been given this 'word' and that it is 'inspired', that is God breathed.

I am a Christadelphian and the so-called Apostles Creed is as it says what the Apostles taught having learned it from Jesus himself. This creed never mentions the Trinity nor does the Bible except in the added verse in 1 John 5:7 by implication.

What matters is your Doctrine like the Catholics,Baptist, Lutherans...does it point to the cross? Scripture interprets scripture while traditions, like feelings change. God's Word never changes. It stands Today, Tomorrow, even after a New Heaven and Earth.

Luke 24:27 Jesus showed himself all thru out the scriptures. God shed blood to cover Adam in the garden. A rod with a snake was lifted up in the desert by Moses and the healing came by what? By just looking at the rod. No need to touch the rod, speak to the rod, make sacrifices. Another example... of "Look to the Cross" The one where Christ blood was shed and he stated most bluntly. IT IS FINISHED. No need for you to pay for your sins. You are truly redeemed.

Both, not versus.

I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming. (John 16:12-13)

Therefore, brothers, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught, either by an oral statement or by a letter of ours. (2 Thessalonians 2:15)

We instruct you, brothers, in the name of (our) Lord Jesus Christ,to shun any brother who conducts himself in a disorderly way and not according to the tradition they received from us. (2 Thessalonians 3:6)

I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold fast to the traditions, just as I handed them on to you. (1 Corinthians 11:2)

The Catholic Church does not use Holy Scripture as the only basis of doctrine. It could not. The early Catholic church existed before and during the time that the New Testament was written.

There were hundreds of Christian writings during the first and second centuries. Which New Testament writings would become official was not fully decided until about 400 C.E.

Catholics believe that the Holy Spirit was guiding the early church (and is guiding the church today) to make the correct choices about things like:

• The Holy Trinity (which is also only hinted at in the Bible)

• Going to church on Sunday instead of Saturday (which is actually directly against one of the Ten Commandments)

• The Communion of Saints

• Which writings include in the New Testament?

Things that are even more modern like

• Slavery is bad. Slavery is never declared evil in the Bible. This was one of the justifications for slavery in the Confederate States.

• Democracy is good. The Bible states that either God should be the leader of the nation like Israel before the kings or kings should be the leader, "Give to Caesar that which is Caesar's." This was talked about a lot during the American Revolution.

This second source of doctrine is called Apostolic Tradition.

Do Christians who do not allow the continuing guiding force of the Holy Spirit to make their beliefs more and more perfect, still endorse slavery as Colossians 3:22 commands, "Slaves, obey your human masters in everything"?

For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, sections 80 and following: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt1sect1chpt2....

With love in Christ.

that is nonsense that only qualified preachers or priests, popes etc, can interpret the Word of God correctly, Christ our Lord, did not choose great theologians as his disciples but uneducated men. It is written for those who believe the Word of God and rejoice in hearing His Word, therefore it is not just for the wise, but also for those who are forsaken and look to Christ for salvation. Wasnt this what the early Catholic church taught that they were the only one worthy of intepreting the Holy scriptures,and therefore made the people believe all kinds of heresies like indulgences and purgatory, until Martin Luther was kicked out of the roman catholic church and translated the Bible into different languages. See the Word of God is not chained or tethered.

I haven't read extensively in the early fathers. That said, I do think that it's valuable to know what they had to say -- especially the earliest of them. Nevertheless, they do contradict one another. As it is today, some interpreted scripture (OT) and the teachings of the apostles differently from others. Most people I know feel that the fathers are helpful in interpreting unclear passages of scripture and I agree. I also believe that the HS is helpful in interpreting those murky passages. We need all the help we can get, and the early fathers are certainly worth consideration.

It has not always been the case where God chooses the wise or the called.

There is someone who is unknown, unheralded, unchosen. A poor uneducated Egyptian slave girl named Hagar. She did not find God, but God found her to reveal incredible truths about Himself.

So my answer is an abosulte no. I have not studied this scripture, however, faith is not a feeling but is something we know. We are to hand down our faith as to what we KNOW by expereince. We can only tell others what we know. Assumptions are not truth nor do I concern myself with things that can only be 'assumed' as I am a truth seeker. I do not have to know everything nor will God reveal it, however, we are to '...let God be your [our] teacher', Christ said. I stand by that.

The bible to be our authority. If anyone's doctrine in not in line with His word, it false doctrine and unacceptable! If God chased after Hagar to reveal His truth, would He deny anyone who persues Him to reveal His truth?

By the way, you mixed up your verses. You meant versus, not verses. I think your idea that only ordained pastors can interpret scripture is nonsense. Anyone can read religious texts, read them and decide what they think of them. As soon as you start only allowing certain people to read things you are on the slippery road to nowhere.

Read for yourself. Read widely. Use your brains. Do not accept superstition or ridiculous ideas.

God exists. God is real. God is infinitely intelligent. God knows everything and

God is all powerful therefor God can communicate with you.

Through the still small voice, which is the Holy Ghost, the truth of all things

can be made manifest to you.

Seek so that you can find the truth of which of all the religions is God's

true Church, the one that God says, that is My Church.

Because Jesus Christ said, seek and ye shall find.

There is a reason that God gave you a brain and

that is so that you can use your mind.

And if you do that, you will connect to the divine.

http://vimeo.com/65085138

http://vimeo.com/66470114

http://vimeo.com/6352054

http://mormon.org/ Chat.

God bless.

THE WORD OF GOD IS TRUE .

THE BIBLE WAS WRITTEN BY THE HOLY SPIRIT AND GIVEN BY INSPIRATION TO MEN WHO THEN WROTE IT DOWN FOR OTHERS TO READ AND SEE AND STUDY.

IT IS ALL WE NEED.