Hi Vic,
You tell us, "
These oral teachings and traditions have been handed down and entrusted to the Church, and they remain as much a part of the full Christian faith as the Bible. To ignore them is no less a tragedy than to ignore the Bible."
What oral teachings and traditions do you have in mind? Are there oral teachings and traditions that are locked away in the Vatican and only the Roman Catholic church has access to them?
Keep in mind that when Paul and the other apostles and disciples were planting churches and teaching the people -- there was no Bible yet as we know it. They used their knowledge of the Old Testament Scripture, the knowledge they had received from Jesus Christ and through special revelation, and their personal first-hand knowledge of having walked with Jesus Christ -- to teach new believers.
Paul, Peter, and other disciples began to put this knowledge into writing, which we call epistles, or letters to the churches.
This knowledge and these epistles were put into writing, later canonized, and became our Bible. Once we had the Bible -- there was no longer any need for traditions, prophets, etc. -- for the people now had God's Written Word.
But, let's look at the Scripture passages you mentioned:
2 Timothy 2:2, "The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also."
What is Paul doing here? Like any mentor, he is giving instructions and teachings to his disciple -- and telling him to share this with new believers. This is done every day in seminaries to those being taught. Using your logic -- all the teachings of the seminaries would be consider traditions and should be sacred. NOT!
2 Thessalonians 2:15,. "So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us."
Here, Paul is speaking of the epistles and personal teachings he has given to the people in the church of Thessalonica. These teachings and epistles all became part of the Bible. But, once again, using your logic -- if we consider this all tradition, and sacred, when Pastor Paul was teaching the people of Thessalonica -- then the teachings, i.e., sermons, of all pastors should be viewed as tradition and should be sacred. NOT!
But, let's look at what Jesus Christ had to say about man's traditions:
Matthew 15:2-3, "'Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.' (3) And He answered and said to them,'Why do you yourselves transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?' "
Colossians 2:8, "See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ."
So, Vic, my Friend -- face it, the Roman Catholic church is fueled by traditions, rituals, and ceremony -- when it should be fueled by the Written Word of God.
Yes, the Written Word of God, the Bible -- is the sole authority given by God for Christian living and salvation. Sola Scriptura!
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill