The Orthodox Study Bible: Tradition
The continued review of this fine academic text, but from my Reformed theological perspective. This article originally published on Blogger, 20201112, revised on Blogger for an entry on academia.edu, 20241207.
Glossary: Reverend John W. Morris, PhD
Tradition
From the Orthodox Study Bible:
'That which is handed down, transmitted. Tradition is the life of the Church in the Holy Spirit, for the Holy Spirit leads the Church "into all truth" (John 16: 13) and enables her to preserve the truth taught by Christ to His Apostles.' (809). The Holy Scriptures are the core of Holy Tradition, as interpreted through the writings of the Fathers, the Ecumenical Councils, and the worship of the Church. (809). Together these traditions manifest the truth of the ancient undivided Church, inspired by the Holy Spirit to preserve the fullness of the gospel..'.(809).
The Orthodox Church
A related entry:
I noted in the linked 2018 entry (Edited)
For Orthodoxy, the Bible is the first source within the Christian tradition. (v). In my view, many conservative, Protestant traditions would also see the Bible as the first source, and final authority of religious truth, but would not generally emphasize tradition to the same extent as the Orthodox Church and Roman Catholic Church.
Tradition, in my view, is especially downplayed in many modern, evangelical, charismatic and non-denominational contexts, that attempt to not be 'religious'. As if philosophically, the gospel cannot be presented within a religion, that is the true religion. As I have noted online, I prefer the designation of Christianity as a religion as it provides credibility to Christianity within Religious Studies as an academic discipline. An academic discipline as is Philosophy of Religion, Theology, the Sciences, etcetera.
---
The Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic theologian Alan Schreck states his Church agrees that the Bible is the inspired word of God, Schreck (1984: 41), but does not believe that the Bible is the only source of Revelation and spiritual guidance for Christians. Schreck (1984: 42). Strictly speaking, those in Reformed theology do trust in non-Biblical truths for spiritual guidance. But the final religious authority is the Scripture, especially, the New Testament, in context. Calvin admitted this in the context of Scripture and tradition. Calvin (1543)(1996: 64). I should also add that any reliance on philosophy and philosophy of religion is not strictly Biblical and I and many Reformed scholars look to philosophy for truth. All truth is God's truth.
A dividing point between Protestants and Catholics comes with Schreck’s idea that God within Catholic thought continues to select certain individuals that teach with God’s authority through the Holy Spirit. Schreck (1984: 42). Protestants and those within the Reformed camp have, at times throughout history disagreed, with the Biblical and theological interpretations of certain Roman Catholic leaders, in particular the Pope, believed to be inspired by the Holy Spirit. Schreck (1984: 42). Calvin explains, within The Bondage and Liberation of the Will, his opinion that at that point in history the Papacy was beyond Reform. Calvin (1543)(1996: 17).
Scripture > Tradition
Worldview and theological debates arise in how scripture, especially the New Testament text should be interpreted within tradition. Theological tradition should be embraced when in context, it accurately is dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2: 15). Tradition is useful when it embraces and clarifies Scripture. But theological tradition should not be embraced when it can be reasonably shown as biblically false. In other words, tradition should be rejected, when human sinfulness and thought has tainted interpretations of God's word and denied reasonable biblical doctrine and theology.
2 Timothy 2:15, KJV: "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
ὀρθοτομοῦντα (Verb present, participle (compound verb), active: accusative, masculine, singular)
Bible Hub defines 'rightly dividing' as 'accurately handling'.
BOICE, JAMES, MONTGOMERY (1981) Foundations of the Christian Faith, Downers Grove, IVP Press.
CALVIN, JOHN (1539)(1998) The Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book II, Translated by Henry Beveridge, Grand Rapids, The Christian Classic Ethereal Library, Wheaton College. http://www.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/institutes.html
CALVIN, JOHN (1539)(1998) The Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book III, Translated by Henry Beveridge, Grand Rapids, The Christian Classic Ethereal Library, Wheaton College.
CALVIN, JOHN (1539)(1998) The Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book IV, Translated by Henry Beveridge, Grand Rapids, The Christian Classic Ethereal Library, Wheaton College. http://www.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/institutes.html
CALVIN, JOHN (1543)(1996) The Bondage and Liberation of the Will, Translated by G.I. Davies, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House.
ERICKSON, MILLARD (1994) Christian Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House.
ERICKSON, MILLARD (2003) What Does God Know and When Does He Know It?, Grand Rapids, Zondervan.
SCHRECK, ALAN (1984) Catholic and Christian, Ann Arbor, Michigan, Servant Books.
The Orthodox Study Bible, New Testament and Psalms, (1993) Saint Athanasius Orthodox Academy, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee.
