(By Shane Idleman) I recently had the privilege of meeting a priest of a large parish in Southern California. The purpose of our conversation was to discuss the role of tradition in light of Scripture. Granted, some tradition is beneficial if it lines up with Scripture.

I have Catholic friends who are devoted to God; they are pillars in our community. I attended a Catholic High School and loved the faculty. I desire peace with all men, but the Bible also encourages me to boldly and confidently present a scriptural basis for truth.

1. There cannot be two absolute authorities. In the same way that we cannot believe both the Bible and the Book of Mormon or the Bible, we cannot believe the Bible and many traditions that are not grounded in Scripture but actually contradict it. Jesus said we can make the Word of God of no effect by our traditions (cf. Mark 7:13).


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The church is the “pillar and foundation of the truth” (1 Tim. 3:15)—it comes under the truth; it’s not equal to it. We believe in apostolic succession in that we believe what the first apostles believed. The word Protestant comes from the word “protest.” Protestants want the church to return to the authority of Scripture alone. CONTINUE