Scripture should be maintained as the absolute authority while tradition serves to interpret scripture. Scripture should be maintained as the absolute authority. In the Gallic confession on the canon of scripture it states, “The Word contained in these books has proceeded from God, and receives its authority from him alone, and not from human beings. And in that it is the rule of all truth, containing all that is necessary for the service of God and for our salvation, it is not lawful for anyone, even for angels, to add to it, to take away from it, or to change it” (The Christian Theology Reader.90). The authority of God is intrinsic within scripture, therefore scripture should be maintained as the supreme authority. Scripture is the Word
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Irenaeus on the role of tradition states, “When the heretics are refuted out of the scriptures, they turn to accusing the scriptures themselves, as if they were not right or did not possess authority, because the scriptures contain a variety of statements, and because it is not possible for those who do not know the tradition to find the truth in them” (The Christian Theology Reader.69). Irenaeus explains that tradition is essential to standardize beliefs in order to combat non-Christian interpretations. Since everyone interprets scripture differently tradition is designed to create stability in the church and ultimately to protect it from false interpretations. Although scripture is the absolute authority there is no way to interpret scripture without tradition. Vincent of Lerins adds to this claiming, “If I or anyone else wish to detect the deceits of the heretics or avoid their traps, and to remain healthy and intact in a sound faith, we ought, with the help of the Lord, to strengthen our faith in two ways: first, by the authority of the divine law, and then by the tradition of the catholic church” (The Christina Theology Reader.78). Again the importance of scripture in the face of heresies in emphasized through Vincent’s avocation for public standards by which to evaluate the doctrines. Tradition is significant in establishing scripture because scripture is not universally accepted. Overall, while scripture is
Irenaeus on the role of tradition states, “When the heretics are refuted out of the scriptures, they turn to accusing the scriptures themselves, as if they were not right or did not possess authority, because the scriptures contain a variety of statements, and because it is not possible for those who do not know the tradition to find the truth in them” (The Christian Theology Reader.69). Irenaeus explains that tradition is essential to standardize beliefs in order to combat non-Christian interpretations. Since everyone interprets scripture differently tradition is designed to create stability in the church and ultimately to protect it from false interpretations. Although scripture is the absolute authority there is no way to interpret scripture without tradition. Vincent of Lerins adds to this claiming, “If I or anyone else wish to detect the deceits of the heretics or avoid their traps, and to remain healthy and intact in a sound faith, we ought, with the help of the Lord, to strengthen our faith in two ways: first, by the authority of the divine law, and then by the tradition of the catholic church” (The Christina Theology Reader.78). Again the importance of scripture in the face of heresies in emphasized through Vincent’s avocation for public standards by which to evaluate the doctrines. Tradition is significant in establishing scripture because scripture is not universally accepted. Overall, while scripture is