Bible News Prophecy with Dr Bob Thiel

Continuing Church Of God 45

Scripture, Tradition, and the Warning Against Adding to God’s Word

Introducing the Debate Over Scripture and Tradition

In this episode of Bible News Prophecy, Steve Dupuie introduces Dr. Bob Thiel for a discussion about whether “traditions of men” are still being added to the Bible as doctrine. The conversation begins with comments attributed to Pope Leo XIV about the relationship between sacred scripture and sacred tradition, including the Catholic claim that scripture and tradition are closely linked and contribute to the salvation of souls. Dr. Thiel challenges that idea immediately, arguing that the phrase “sacred tradition” is not found in the Bible and that Scripture repeatedly warns against adding to or taking away from God’s Word.

Warnings Against Adding to Scripture

Dr. Thiel cites passages from Deuteronomy, Proverbs, and Revelation to argue that God’s people are not permitted to add to divine revelation. He emphasizes Revelation 22, where warnings are given against adding to or taking away from the words of prophecy. From his perspective, religious groups that elevate additional writings, church traditions, or later doctrinal developments risk putting human authority above the Word of God. He also briefly mentions other groups, including Latter-day Saints, Seventh-day Adventists, Protestants, and Messianic Jews, as examples of communities he believes may accept later traditions or teachings in ways that compete with Scripture.

Challenging Catholic Claims About Tradition

The discussion then focuses more directly on Roman Catholic teaching. Dr. Thiel references the Catholic view that holy tradition transmits the Word of God entrusted to the apostles, but he argues that Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Protestant, and other traditions often accept later developments that were not part of the original apostolic teaching. He rejects the idea that tradition can stand on equal authority with Scripture. For Dr. Thiel, the proper Christian position is that the Bible alone must be the final authority for doctrine, correction, salvation, and righteous instruction.

Paul’s Warnings About Tradition and False Teachers

Dr. Thiel uses Paul’s letters to support his position, especially 2 Timothy 3, where Scripture is described as able to make a person wise for salvation and thoroughly equip the servant of God for every good work. He argues that Paul points believers to Scripture, not tradition, as the source of doctrine and spiritual completeness. He also references Colossians 2:8, where Paul warns against philosophy and empty deceit according to human tradition, and 2 Corinthians 11, where Paul warns about false apostles and deceitful workers. Dr. Thiel concludes that Christians must be alert to teachings that appear religious but are not grounded in the Bible.

Jesus, the Pharisees, and Traditions of Men

A major section of the episode centers on Jesus’ confrontation with the Pharisees in Matthew 15 and Mark 7. Dr. Thiel explains that Jesus criticized the religious leaders for elevating the tradition of the elders in a way that made God’s commandments ineffective. He also quotes Jesus’ statement that people can honor God with their lips while their hearts remain far from Him, teaching human commandments as doctrine. Dr. Thiel connects this back to Isaiah 29 and argues that both the Old and New Testaments warn against replacing God’s commands with religious customs, even when those customs are old or widely accepted.

Scripture as the Final Measure of Truth

The episode closes with Dr. Thiel emphasizing that doctrine should be built line upon line from Scripture, not from tradition layered upon tradition. He refers to Melito of Sardis as an early figure who warned against blindly following inherited customs when those customs are wrong. Dr. Thiel concludes that traditions may have historical interest, but they must always be judged by the Bible and never placed beside or above it as equal authority. Steve Dupuie then closes the program by directing listeners to Bible News Prophecy and the Continuing Church of God for additional materials.