Why Do We Need Sacred Tradition?

For much of my life as a Protestant, I firmly believed in sola scriptura—the idea that the Bible alone was all I needed to know, understand, and live the Christian faith. It was a non-negotiable belief for me. Any discussion of Sacred Tradition was, in my mind, unnecessary and even dangerous. Case closed.

But when I began studying the Catholic faith, I found myself rethinking this deeply held assumption. As I wrestled with Scripture and the Church’s teachings, I began to see Sacred Tradition not as a competing authority but as something that beautifully complements and illuminates Scripture.

In fact, I discovered that without Sacred Tradition, we risk misunderstanding or even misusing the Bible itself. This realization has been transformative for my faith.

Scripture as Letters, Not Doctrinal Lists

When I first approached the New Testament as a young Christian, I thought of it as a clear, self-explanatory guide to faith. But over time, I noticed something: the New Testament wasn’t written as a neatly organized list of doctrines. It’s primarily a collection of letters, written by apostles to real churches and individuals in the first century.

These letters often addressed specific problems or misunderstandings. For example, Paul’s letter to the Galatians confronts the issue of Judaizers trying to impose the Mosaic Law on Gentile Christians. His first letter to the Corinthians deals with moral scandals, divisions in the church, and questions about marriage and spiritual gifts.

In these letters, we find timeless truths about God, salvation, and Christian living. But we also encounter instructions and corrections that are rooted in the cultural and historical context of the time. This can make certain passages challenging to interpret.

Take, for example, the letter to Philemon. In this short letter, Paul appeals to a Christian slave owner to receive back his runaway slave, Onesimus, as a brother in Christ. While Paul doesn’t explicitly condemn slavery, Sacred Tradition helps us understand that the gospel message, with its emphasis on human dignity and freedom in Christ, ultimately undermines the institution of slavery. Without this broader context, some might misuse Scripture to justify practices contrary to the gospel.

The Search for Clarity

As a Protestant, I believed in the “clarity of Scripture”—the idea that anyone could read and understand the Bible without external help. But I found myself constantly seeking guidance from pastors, commentaries, and podcasts. I wanted to know what the text meant in its original context and how it applied to my life.

What’s ironic is how much I trusted contemporary authors and celebrity pastors to interpret Scripture for me, all while rejecting the Catholic Church’s authority as “adding to the Bible.” I was relying on modern opinions while ignoring the ancient, Spirit-guided wisdom of the Church.

This realization was humbling. My desire for clarity wasn’t wrong; in fact, it was valid and necessary. But I began to wonder: why turn to fleeting voices when I could turn to the unbroken teaching of the Church that has preserved the faith since the time of the apostles?

What Is Sacred Tradition?

Sacred Tradition is often misunderstood, even among Catholics. It’s not about new revelations or additions to Scripture. Instead, it’s the living transmission of the faith that the apostles received from Christ and passed down through their preaching, teaching, and example.

This Tradition is preserved in many ways:

• The Writings of the Church Fathers: Early Christian leaders like St. Ignatius of Antioch, St. Irenaeus, and St. Augustine provide invaluable insight into how the first Christians understood Scripture and practiced their faith.

• The Liturgy: The prayers and worship of the Church, especially the Mass, have been shaped by apostolic Tradition and reflect the beliefs of the early Church.

• The Councils: Ecumenical councils, guided by the Holy Spirit, have clarified key doctrines, such as the divinity of Christ and the nature of the Trinity.

Through Sacred Tradition, the Church has faithfully preserved the “faith once delivered to the saints” (Jude 1:3) for 2,000 years.

The Role of Tradition in Forming the Bible

One of the most surprising things I learned is that without Sacred Tradition, we wouldn’t have the Bible as we know it. The canon of Scripture—the official list of inspired books—was discerned by the early Church. This process wasn’t completed until the 4th century, long after the apostles had died.

How did the Church decide which books belonged in the Bible? By relying on Sacred Tradition. The Church evaluated writings based on their apostolic origin, consistency with the faith, and widespread use in liturgy.

This means that even Protestants, who reject Sacred Tradition, unknowingly rely on it whenever they open their Bibles.

Tradition and Scripture: A Harmonious Whole

Catholics don’t view Sacred Tradition and Scripture as competing authorities. Instead, they see them as complementary, forming a single “deposit of faith” entrusted to the Church. Tradition helps us interpret Scripture faithfully, while Scripture confirms and deepens our understanding of Tradition.

For me, this was a game-changer. I realized that Sacred Tradition isn’t a relic of the past or a human invention. It’s a living treasure that connects us to the apostles, guides us in interpreting Scripture, and helps us apply the faith to new challenges and questions.

A Gift, Not a Burden

Discovering the beauty of Sacred Tradition has been one of the most enriching parts of my journey into the Catholic Church. It’s not something that takes away from the authority of Scripture; it’s a gift that helps us understand Scripture more fully.

Sacred Tradition reminds us that Christianity isn’t just about a book; it’s about a living, breathing Church, founded by Christ and guided by the Holy Spirit. It’s about being part of a family of believers that stretches back 2,000 years and continues to proclaim the gospel to the world.

If you’re someone who’s wrestling with these questions, I encourage you to take a closer look at Sacred Tradition. You might be surprised, as I was, to find not a competing authority, but a faithful companion on your journey with Christ.