Introduction
Modern evangelism often opposes the concept of “tradition,” a stance rooted in the Protestant Reformation when Luther and Calvin rejected Catholic traditions. This perspective creates a false dichotomy between Scripture and Tradition.
Two Types of Tradition
Tradition of Men (lowercase)
This refers to human customs that Christ explicitly condemned. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees, stating: “You have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition” (Matthew 15:3–9). Such traditions promoted hypocrisy and empty worship.
Tradition of God (capital T)
The Church embraces this divine Tradition, which St. Paul emphasized: “Therefore brethren, stand fast to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or by epistle” (2 Thessalonians 2:15). This represents the apostolic doctrine described in Acts 2:42.
The Source of Divine Tradition
Divine Tradition encompasses the teachings Christ revealed to His disciples during the fifty days following His Resurrection. As St. John notes: “And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they should be written every one, I suppose even the world could not contain the books that should be written” (John 21:20).
Tradition’s Essential Role
Without Tradition, fundamental questions arise: How was the Bible compiled? How do we interpret Scripture consistently across generations? A church lacking Tradition lacks roots and inevitably faces confusion and division.
Conclusion
Scripture alone proves insufficient. The Church, through Apostolic Tradition, serves as Scripture’s enforcer, interpreter, and author.