Holy Tradition Supports the Proper Interpretation of the Bible
Many Evangelical protestants see Holy Tradition as standing in direct contrast to Scripture, as though Tradition is always relegated to “the traditions of men”. However, there are numerous references in the Bible to Holy Tradition. For example:
“Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught (Luke 1:1-4).” It must be noted that in this instance, the oral word preceded the written word. Hence becoming Holy Tradition.
In John 20:30-3, it is revealed, “Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book”, and in John 21:25, we read, “Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written”. One of my personal favorite passages regarding Holy Tradition is found in 2 Thessalonians 2:15, “So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.”
Holy Tradition is not apart from the Bible, but supports the proper interpretation of the Bible. Holy Tradition emanates from Christ Himself, and is expressed by the Apostles, the Holy Fathers, and the Church. The Fathers, in fact, are the very guardians of the Apostolic Tradition, for they, like the Apostles before them, are witnesses of a single Truth, which is the Truth of the God-man, Jesus Christ. Since Christ is one, unique, and indivisible, so also is the Church unique and indivisible. The Church is the incarnation of the incarnated God-man, Jesus Christ, and will continue through the ages, and even throughout all eternity.
With love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon
Photo: A painting of Saint Seraphim of Sarov, together with his bear.
About the author
Fr. Tryphon is the Abbot of the Monastery of the All-Merciful Saviour, which was established in 1986 by Archimandrite Dimitry (Egoroff) of blessed memory. The Monastery is under the omophore of His Eminence Kyrill, Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America, of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia.
1 thought on “Holy Tradition”
Coming from a Protestant perspective I think we have a lot to learn from tradition. I’m drawn to Orthodoxy but I just have a hard time accepting some of the more bizarre (IMO) traditions such as the video of the Orthodox priest dipping a mummified foot into a vat of water and people rushing to get access to it. Or the tradition of the nuns who were turned into snakes to avoid capture by pirates. As much as I’m drawn to Orthodoxy these types of things repel me. I’d love your thoughts on these things as I’ve really benefited from your blog and podcast.