Todd Rushing Supporter

In biblical tradition and canon, the bible consists of letters (like the letters of Paul), sermons (like Paul, Peter and many others) preached, and the discourses introduced through the acts of the apostles. In II Thessalonians, we see one of the letters to the Thessalonians by Paul. The Thessalonians were being persecuted in Greece and were a young church and susceptible to falling in their faith. It was not always possible for Paul to visit each of the early churches through out the land (Israel and Mesopotamia), so disciples were dispatched to these churches, and carried letters from Paul (and probably others) and preached to local churches the lessons shared to them by the Apostles. They didn't have the luxury of sending an email, or dropping a letter in the mail.

In the early Old Testament churches, possibly before the first books were written, most or all of the messages (sermons) they received were from those who came before them (ancestors), and are a perfect example of oral traditions. When the first books of the bible were written, most of the teachings were oral traditions transcribed to written form so that a more consistent message could be passed down.

Today, many churches, through their pastors, share the traditions of the church through sermons. Some sermons are transcribed to printed material, but they are not considered part of the bible in the same way the authors of the bible did during their walk on earth. By utilizing the Word of God, we can share His vision for his people and His church, and these take various forms, such as video, sermons, written texts, and books.

As long as what we say or write adheres to the teachings of the bible, we are sharing the traditions of the bible. The letters to the Thessalonians were a way to encourage and strengthen the local church, and today we use a variety of media to share our traditions, customs, and God's teachings to strengthen young Christians.

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Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

What is your understanding of the role of the oral tradition in the Church?

Oral tradition is the foundational, living transmission of the Gospel message and apostolic teaching that existed before, and alongside, the written Scriptures in the Church. It represents the "living voice" of the Apostles—the proclamation of Christ's life, death, and resurrection—handed down to successive generations under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. 

The Gospels and New Testament letters were written decades after Jesus's death. Before this, the early Church relied entirely on oral traditions—anecdotes of Jesus's healings, parables, and sayings—which were later codified into written text.

Early Christian communities played a pivotal role in upholding and sharing God's spoken Word through their oral traditions and storytelling. Devoted followers of Christ continued to pass on His teachings to others, thereby solidifying the foundations of the Christian faith.

In one sense, the entire Christian message is based on oral tradition and is only augmented by using the written revelation of the Old Testament. From this perspective, perhaps 90 per cent of the New Testament is based on authoritative oral tradition (from Jesus), and the remaining ten per cent is from written sources.

Oral tradition was once dismissed as unreliable, but anthropologists and historians now recognise it as a valid, valuable, though sometimes subjective, source of history.

2nd Thess 2:15 ESV: "So then, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye were taught, whether by word, or by epistle of ours."

Paul urged his brothers in Thessalonica to "stand firm" and stick to what they had learned. (Read 2 Thessalonians 2:15.) What were "the traditions" that they had been taught? Certainly not those held by false religion and promoted as if they were as valuable as what is found in the Scriptures. Rather, Paul was referring to the teachings that he and others had received from Jesus, as well as what God moved the apostle to transmit, much of which became part of the inspired Scriptures. Paul commended his brothers in the congregation in Corinth because, as he wrote, 1 Corinthians 11:2 ESV "Now I praise you that ye remember me in all things, and hold fast the traditions, even as I delivered them to you."

What did Paul mean by "traditions"? 

The Greek Word he used for "tradition," pa·raʹdo·sis, means "transmitted by word of mouth or in writing." The English Word means "information, doctrines, or practices that have been handed down from parents to children or that have become the established way of thinking or acting."

Because the traditions the apostle Paul handed on came from a good source, Christians did well to hold fast to them.

These traditions, however, were wholesome, beneficial practices based on God's Word​—not empty, artificial rituals. They replaced the "fruitless form of conduct received by tradition" that many in the first century practised before becoming Christians.​ Read 1Peter 18 ESV: "18 Knowing that ye were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from your vain manner of life handed down from your fathers."

Do the similarities between the synoptic Gospels indeed prove that the writers copied from one another? No. Why not? For one thing, Jesus promised his disciples that the holy spirit would 'bring back to their minds all the things he had told them.' (John 14:26) Therefore, it is not surprising that the Gospel writers remembered and recorded some of the same events. 

The Anchor Bible Dictionary states: "Dependence on oral tradition could easily account for the memorable sayings of Jesus being recorded in identical form."

But we have solid reason to accept that "all Scripture is inspired of God"​—including the four Gospels.​—2 Timothy 3:14-17.

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Donna Williams Supporter

The apostle Paul wrote to the Thessalonians because they were troubled that the return of Christ had already occurred.

He assured them that it would not occur until two things happen. There must first be a falling away from the faith, and secondly the appearance of the antichrist.

Paul was encouraging them to hold onto the truth that they heard from the preaching of the gospel, and the letters that they received teaching them about the return of Christ. 

He did not want them to be discouraged by the deception of false teachers, and not to give up on the hope of their salvation.

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