The Bible, Tradition, and the Battle for Biblical Authenticity: A Catholic Conundrum or a Logical Continuum?...

A Holy Mystery in Plain Sight

Why don’t Roman Catholics follow the exact teachings of the Holy Bible? How is it that an entire religion has managed to drift so far from the scriptural foundation upon which Christianity was originally built? And—perhaps more importantly—why is it that they follow beliefs that seem to have no traceable basis in Scripture? Surely, when we hold the Bible in our hands, it’s plain that the Word of God is clear, unambiguous, and flawless, right? Well, not so fast.

Roman Catholicism, the largest Christian denomination globally, often finds itself at odds with its Protestant counterparts over the issue of biblical interpretation. While Protestant reformers like Martin Luther famously rejected the authority of church tradition in favor of sola scriptura (Scripture alone), Catholics maintain a much broader framework, arguing that Scripture is one aspect of the whole “deposit of faith.” This includes Sacred Tradition, the teachings passed down from the Apostles orally before being committed to the written word. And let's face it, when Catholics start talking about “the Church” and “tradition,” things can get a little... complicated.

The real question here isn't whether Catholics follow the Bible, but why they often seem to diverge from it. And no, we are not talking about minor discrepancies here. We’re talking about things like purgatory, the veneration of saints, the role of the pope, and the whole issue of the Eucharist—things you might search high and low for in the pages of Scripture and find mysteriously absent. So how do Catholics reconcile this gap between what the Bible seems to say and the practices they adhere to? Let’s dive in.

Holy Scripture: A Full-Length Drama or Just a Prologue?

The Bible is foundational to the faith, but it is not as straightforward as a DIY manual. To illustrate this, let’s examine a passage that many Catholics rely on to justify their interpretation of Scripture versus tradition: 2 Thessalonians 2:15, which says, “Therefore, brothers, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught, either by an oral statement or by a letter of ours.” Protestants argue that the term “tradition” here refers strictly to the teachings contained within the letters of Paul, those written texts, which make up the New Testament. But Catholics? Well, they see it differently.

The Catholic Church, in its infinite wisdom, claims that “Sacred Tradition” is not confined to the New Testament texts alone but includes everything that the apostles handed down—either through writing or oral teaching. This is a crucial distinction: Catholics argue that oral tradition, which preceded the written New Testament, is just as authoritative as Scripture itself. To a Catholic, the New Testament is a compilation of inspired writings that reflect, not just what was written down, but also the ongoing oral traditions of the early church. This assertion is not rooted in some mysterious dogma conjured in a Vatican basement, but in the very teachings of the Apostles themselves.

So, if Paul told the Thessalonians to hold fast to traditions, why does it seem that the Church, particularly the Catholic Church, includes many things not directly mentioned in Scripture? Is that a mistake? Or is there a deeper meaning to the relationship between Scripture and Tradition that many miss?

Jesus, the Apostles, and Their Very “Creative” Interpretation of Scripture

The first twist in this theological thriller occurs when we look at how Jesus and His Apostles themselves handled the scriptures. It's no secret that the Bible, as we know it today, didn’t fall from the sky fully bound and printed in leather. But there’s something even more striking: Jesus didn’t always follow the Old Testament to the letter. Let’s face it, He was not the Bible-thumping prophet some would expect. While He did quote from the Hebrew Scriptures (aka the Old Testament) often, He wasn’t shy about expanding upon them, challenging, and even reinterpreting them in light of the new revelation of Himself.

Take, for example, Jesus’ reinterpretation of the law found in the book of Deuteronomy. Deuteronomy 21:23 warns that anyone hanged on a tree is “under God’s curse.” However, St. Paul, in Galatians 3:13, flips this idea on its head when he writes, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law by becoming a curse himself for us.” St. Paul is showing us that, while the Law said one thing, the New Covenant—the Gospel of Christ—reinterprets it radically. Jesus was cursed not because He was guilty, but because He took on the curse of sin for humanity. This is a reinterpretation of Scripture that goes far beyond a mere “quotation” and deep into an entirely new theological understanding.

Catholics, Tradition, and Their Sacred Dance with the Bible

This brings us to one of the more frequently misinterpreted points: Why do Catholics follow so many teachings that seem absent from Scripture? For example, why the elaborate rituals surrounding the Eucharist? Why the veneration of Mary and the saints? The answer lies in what Catholics would argue is a living, breathing tradition that cannot be contained within the pages of a single book. The Bible is a crucial part of it, but so is the continuous guidance of the Holy Spirit, which Catholics believe has always been active in guiding the Church’s understanding of God’s will.

The concept of the Eucharist, for instance, isn’t a simple “symbol” for Catholics. When Catholics take Communion, they believe they are truly receiving the body and blood of Christ. Is this scriptural? Well, sort of. Jesus said in John 6:56, “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life,” a passage that has been interpreted by Catholics as a literal event rather than a metaphor. However, the actual practice of the Eucharist as a central rite of worship wasn’t formalized in the early Church until centuries after the New Testament texts were written.

And what about purgatory? This is another Catholic belief that doesn’t seem to have a clear reference in the Bible. Purgatory, as Catholics understand it, is a temporary state of purification before entering heaven. The Bible does not mention purgatory by name, but Catholics point to passages like 1 Corinthians 3:15 (“If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—though only as one escaping through the flames”) as support for the idea of a purification process after death. This passage, while not directly describing purgatory, is often cited as an example of how traditions and teachings evolve.

Final Thoughts: Tradition and Scripture—The Unlikely Bedfellows

At the end of the day, both sides of this argument—whether you’re Protestant or Catholic—are rooted in an attempt to honor and understand the Word of God. Catholics maintain that tradition, far from being an unnecessary addition, is an essential counterpart to Scripture in fully understanding the depth of God’s revelation. Protestants, on the other hand, cling to sola scriptura, arguing that the Bible alone holds the key to salvation and understanding God’s will.

In reality, neither tradition is inherently “wrong” in its approach. The Bible is, after all, a vast and complex document that has been interpreted and reinterpreted for centuries. Whether you believe in the sufficiency of Scripture alone or embrace the additional layers of Tradition, what truly matters is that the teachings of Christ, as understood by both sides, continue to inspire millions to lead lives of faith and moral integrity.

Ultimately, as the Apostle Paul himself said, “we see through a glass, darkly.” The truth—whether revealed through Scripture, Tradition, or a combination of both—is an ongoing journey, one that each believer must take with sincerity and devotion. The Bible, no matter how you approach it, remains a guiding light—but like all things divine, it’s open to interpretation, prayer, and deep reflection. So, maybe the answer isn’t to pick a side but to embrace the mystery of how we come to understand the infinite God in finite ways.

After all, who doesn’t like a good theological debate over a cup of coffee?