Hi Pilgrim, Thank you for your good response.

We agree that the Scriptures are sufficient, though I disagree that 2 Tim 3:16-17 is commenting on this per se, since this idea is nowhere present, and the usefulness and Inspiriation of Scripture is commended to the power of the oral tradition.

useful for teaching correction rebuke and training in righteousness

As to the need of interpretation, I'm thinking of Nehemiah 8:8, where Nehemiah interprets the Scriptures, explaining them so that the people understand the sense. cf. Acts 8:31.

Your idea that the Tradition was at first inspired, and then later was referred to teh Scriptures alone, is somewhat different than Webster's (just below the quote in question), who denies any inspiration to the oral traditions, which Paul refers to in 2 Thes 2:15 ... but in any case, I don't find this idea of the ending of the Apostolic oral tradition (cf. 2 Tim 2:2) in Scripture, or in the early Biblical Church. Cf. Lk 8:16.

Now, the Pope's own preacher teaches the the Scriptures are an infallible spiritual direction--and amen--but, as with the Fathers, this is understood in the context of the Apostolic Kingdom ...Cf. Lk 1:31-33, Titus 1:5, Acts 1:20 ... rather than a private interpretive tradition ... Cf. 2 Pt 1:20-21; 3:16.

Thank you, Pat

Last edited by patricius79; Mon Dec 07, 2009 9:48 AM.