[Greek] παράδοσις (paradosis), [Latin] traditio: a handing down, tradition, transmission, delivery, teaching; Mt.15:2-3,6, Mk.7:3,5,8-9,13, 1Cor.11:2, Gal.1:14, 2Thess.2:15, 2Thess.3:6
Yet the Modernists and Synodalists continue to make every effort to undermine Tradition in their efforts to create a new Synodal Church made in the image of man and his lived experiences.
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means transmission, handing down, bequeathing, tradition, and what is handed down.
Plato’s Philebus 16c: “The ancients handed down the tradition that all the things which ever said to exist are sprung from one.”
Xenophon’s Cyropaedia 8.6.17: “He has the proper official appointed to receive the letters that were delivered to and to forward them on.”
Euripides’ Orestes 64: “Hermione was entrusted to my mother’s keeping.”
Plato’s Laws 803a: “We have next to discuss the question of the teaching and imparting of these subjects.”
New Testament: This term means tradition and teachings.
Scripture:
Mt.15:2: “The Pharisees and scribes asked Jesus, ‘Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They do not wash their hands when they eat a meal.'” (The Pharisees and scribes were more concerned with external purification rituals. These human traditions were unwritten laws having the same authority of the Mosaic laws. Jesus responds in saying that what defiles is what comes from WITHIN that person.)
Mt.15:3: “Jesus to the Pharisees and scribes, ‘Why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?'” (This human tradition breaks God’s commandments to honor one’s parents [supporting them in their needs]. These Pharisees and scribes only seek to uphold their power and authority. They are essentially paying lip service to God’s commandments.)
1Cor.11:2: “I praise you because you remember me [Paul]: in everything and hold fast to the traditions, just as I handed them on to you.” (Paul criticizes the Corinthians for their abuses in meeting in Church and the celebration of the Lord’s Supper.)
- Paul points out that there are divisions among you (when you meet as a Church).
- Evidently there has to be divisions (factions) among you in order that those who are approved may be known.
- When you meet, it is not for to eat, to drink and get drunk. Do you not have houses?
- Whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will have answer to the Lord.
- Anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the Body eats and drinks judgement on himself.
- That is why many of you are ill, infirm, and dying.
- But since we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined, so that we may not be condemned.
Gal.1:14: “I progressed in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my race, since I was even more a zealot (persecuting Christians) for my ancestral traditions.” (In his spiritual blindness, Saul persecuted the Christians. Jesus physically blinds Saul and opens his eyes [removing his spiritual blindness] in becoming an apostle for Him.)
Col.2:8: “See to it that no one captivates you with empty, seductive philosophies according to human tradition, according to the elemental powers of the world.” (These elemental powers can refer to paganism, worldliness, humanistic influences, and secularism. Satan is ruler of this earthly kingdom.)
2Thess.2:15: “Stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught, either by an oral statement or by a letter of ours.” (Christianity was primarily transmitted by oral tradition to later generations. Aside from a fellow letters, the scriptures essentially referred to the Old Testament. There was not yet a defined canon of New Testament scriptures.)
2Thess.3:6: “We instruct you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to shun any brother who conducts himself in a disorderly way not according to the tradition they received from us.” (Paul warns his followers not be shaken out their minds with a spirit, oral statement, or letter allegedly from us. Paul’s moral teachings are rooted in his deep concern for the true gospel message.)
Oral Tradition:
- The ‘scriptures’ mentioned in the New Testament actually referred to the Old Testament.
- The New Testament’s “canon of books” had NOT yet been formulated.
- The CHURCH (AND ORAL TRADITION) PROCEEDED THE SCRIPTURES!!!
- The primary means for the transmission of faith was by word of mouth (oral tradition).
- Paul entrusts the deposit of faith (oral tradition) to Timothy.
- Letters were sent in response to issues (crises) in the geographical areas.
- Luke, a 2nd or 3rd generation Christian, learns about Jesus through oral tradition and eyewitness accounts.
- The Catholic faith stands on three legs (pillars): sacred scripture, apostolic Tradition, and the living Magisterium (teaching authority of the Church.)
- This refutes Sola scripture (the belief that scripture is the sole source of authority.
Pope Gregory XVI’s Encyclical Mirari Vos (1832): refuting the need for a human restoration of the Church ===> refuting the need to adapt the Church to the world.
“All truth was daily taught it by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost. It is obviously absurd and injurious to propose a certain restoration or regeneration for her [the Church] as though necessary for her safety and health, as is she could be considered subject to defect or other misfortune. These authors of novelties consider that a foundation may be laid of a human institution. That what was a divine thing may become a human church.”
- Jesus’ Church is a divine institution under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. There is NO need to change Jesus’ Church.
- It is absurd for the need for human restoration or regeneration of the Church. These efforts are essentially human traditions and novelties.
- This encyclical repudiates and invalidates the need, purpose, and validity of bringing “fresh air” into the Church so “that the Church can get with the times.”
- These human traditions say more about the Modernists’ and Synodalists’ desires to “renew” and “reform” the Church.
- Ecumenism and indifferentism often take precedence over Mt. 28:19-20 (making disciples of all nations).
Human Traditions:
- Vatican II and Synodality: bringing in “fresh air, the “smoke of Satan” into the Church so that the Church “can get with the times.” Synodality seeks to continue what Vatican II started.
- Sola scriptura: the notion that scripture is the soul source of authority. This is NOT found in scripture!
- Synodality: lived experiences often take precedence over Church teachings. Synodality becomes elevated as an IDOL.
- Tolerance and inclusion take precedence over Church teachings against sin. There is hardly any mention of Jesus’ statements on sin.
- Preaching a “worldly gospel”: MAKING A BETTER WORLD and SEEKING FAVOR WITH THE WORLD takes precedence over the SALVATION OF SOULS (BRINGING SOULS INTO HEAVEN).
- Animosity toward Tradition: restricting the TLM, removing altar rails, receiving Communion in the hands (but not on the tongue).
- Bishops are actively engaged in political, immigration, social justice, and environmental rather than focusing on spiritual issues.
- Actively supporting “extraordinary” Eucharist ministers, girl altar servers, studying the notion of women deacons.
- LGBTQ “outreach”: “blessings” and confirmation for same-sex couples, provide LGBT Masses, pay lip service to Church teachings against homosexuality, no mention of this sin
- Minimize and downgrade Mary’s role and status in the Church as a means to appeal to Protestants.
- Synodality seeks to share decision making authority between clergy and laity in the Church. Synodality seeks to decentralize clerical authority. Sounds like Protestantism.
- Synodality seeks to transform the Church (in Jesus’ image) into a worldly synodal Church made in the image of man and his lived experiences.
- The German Synodal Church is essentially “reforming” and “renewing” itself into decline and heresy. This is a great warning sign for Synodality.
- Pope Leo appointed Cristiana Perella, who organized sexually explicit pro-homosexual “art” as president of the Pontifical Academy of Fine Art. (Not a good look for a Church!)
- Unfortunately, there is much more!
Etymology:
- The Greek noun paradosis refers to the dosis (gift) given along side (para-).
- Paradosis is the giving of a gift. The Latin verb tradere means to hand over, to deliver, and to surrender.
- The Latin traditore (traitor) is one who delivers.
Conclusion:
Tradition, betray, trade, treason, traitor, dose, dosage
Paul was responding to the problems in liturgical assemblies in Corinth: women not veiled, improprieties in the celebration of community meals, sacrilege, and idolatry.
Update: This conciliar and synodal Church continue to pay lip service (ignoring) Church teachings against homosexuality and many clergy engaging in the homosexual lifestyle. As a result, the Vatican’s “outreach” to the LGBTQ community continues to expand.
Many cardinals, bishops, and priests following a tradition of accommodating the secular culture, MAKING A BETTER WORLD, and SEEKING FAVOR WITH THE WORLD.
Modernists and Synodalists continue to have a distorted view that one cannot have both the Traditional Latin Mass and the Novus Order Mass because this is “divisive”. They continue to have disdain for Tradition, traditional (conservative) Catholics, and all things traditional.
A good human tradition: The younger generations, seeking to find deeper meaning in their faith, have been flocking to the Traditional Latin Mass.
Another good human tradition: Protestants are also seeking to find something more deeper. More Protestants are actually becoming Catholic. To their own “peril”, they are discovering the depth, richness, history, and beauty of Catholicism. This has become a “deep problem” for Protestants. ☺☺☺
The human traditions of tolerance, false compassion, inclusiveness, and “mercy above all else” all have become “slippery slopes” or “gateway drugs” to questionable Church teachings and heresy. Ex. Amoris Laetitia and Fiducia Supplicans
Pope Leo continues to sew liturgical confusion (ambiguity). No one knows whether or not the TLM will be permitted or restricted.
We have Church leaders who do not seem to care about reigning in scandalous appointments nor reigning in scandals in the Church.
The synodal managing the decline of the Church: closing churches, removing the TLM, removing altar rails ==>less reverence, less Mass attendance, less vocations
Cardinal Parolin states that the fundamental part of the Holy See and the local Churches it to raise the awareness to the environment.
The Vatican Nuncio stated to the USCCB that the only to move the Church forward is to follow the path of Pope Francis.
Perspectives on Tradition:
“To separate oneself from Tradition is to separate oneself from the Church.” Archbishop Lefebvre
“To be deep in history is to cease to be a Protestant.” Cardinal Newman
“Our future is our past.” Archbishop Lefebvre
“In an age that has thrown off all tradition, the only rebellion is orthodoxy.” Peter Kreeft