False arguments that Catholics and Orthodox use to prove oral extra-scriptural church tradition are refuted.

"In 2 John 12, John refused to write everything in scripture, but gave them oral traditions."

John says that there are many things he did not want to tell them in scripture, but only face to face. This proves we need oral tradition, otherwise how do we know what John told these brethren?

"Though I have many things to write to you, I do not want to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, so that your joy may be made full." 2 John 12

"I had many things to write to you, but I am not willing to write them to you with pen and ink; but I hope to see you shortly, and we will speak face to face." 3 John 13-14

Sola Scriptura: 2 John 12 does not prove the need for extra-Biblical oral traditions today.

1. If we took all that is in the Bible and added what Catholics and Orthodox say is recorded in "oral tradition" we would still be missing a lot of information. So the argument is self refuting. Yes, there are many events and stories not written in the Bible, but what is written is all we need for our faith. That's what John says in Jn 20:31.
2. The many things could have been details of the book of Revelation. The many things could have been non-essential personal items about himself, or public rebukes for the sin of adultery, or some heresy like using only water for the cup of the Lord's supper. To suggest that what John wanted to say to them face to face is some important extra-biblical doctrine is just as likely as the things we suggest as possible.
3. Until the tradition advocates can specifically tell what exactly what this oral tradition is, their argument becomes self refuting. They are always using these kinds of passages to open the door to their many false doctrines not found in scripture.

More Pro-Oral Church tradition arguments refuted!

More Anti-Sola Scriptura arguments refuted!

by Steve Rudd

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