Beggars All: Reformation And Apologetics: The Canon as Infallible Sacred Tradition

Absolutely, the Canon is a part of Sacred Tradition. Jesus Christ only established Tradition. And the Apostles and Disciples were first inspired to preach the New Testament and then to write it.

I've been having a grand old time on Ken's blog. And so, I'd like to take a break from reviewing Dr. Mizzi's articles. God willing, I'll get back to those later.

On Ken's blog, we are discussing Sacred Tradition and Sola Scriptura. The Protestant stance seems to be that:

1. Scripture alone is infallible.

2. Therefore Sacred Tradition can't be infallible.

The Catholic position is this.

1. Where does Scripture say that Scripture ALONE is infallible? We don't see it.

2. Sacred Tradition was the source of Sacred Scripture, therefore it must have also been infallible before Scripture was written.

3. Neither Scripture nor Tradition ever state that Tradition or the Church somehow lose the charism of infallibility.

Lets break it down.

Jesus Christ is infallible. He taught His disciples infallibly and left them to teach as He taught.

The Catholic presumption is that He left them to teach infallibly. I assume that Catholics and Protestants agree that the Apostles and disciples passed down the Traditions of Jesus Christ infallibly.

Just in case some Protestant's don't agree, here's what Scripture says on the matter:

2 Peter 1:19-21

King James Version (KJV)

¹⁹We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

²⁰Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

²¹For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

So, if the Holy Spirit inspired the men to write infallibly, why not to teach infallibly? Notice that holy men were not only moved by the Holy Spirit to write, but also to preach. That verse seems to indicate then, that:

1. Holy men spoke infallibly (moved by the Holy Ghost).

2. Holy men wrote infallibly (also moved by the Holy Ghost).

There are more verses which show that Sacred Tradition is infallible at the time of the Apostles. And none which even hint that the teaching of the Church is ever not infallible.

Let me know what you think.

Sincerely,

De Maria

Beggars All: Reformation And Apologetics: The Canon as Infallible Sacred Tradition