New Testament Imperatives
For Oral + Written Tradition

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In a previous entry, we saw how the “Scripture alone” method is out of step with the New Testament’s own hermeneutic approach. Now, we shall see how this method is not only out of line with the New Testament’s approach, but contrary to its commands.

Pharisees vs. Sadducees: Disputes Over Oral Tradition

The famous first-century Jewish writer, Josephus, details the differences between two of the leading sects of his day (i.e., the time of Christ and the early Church), the Pharisees and the Sadducees:

…the Pharisees have delivered to the people a great many observances by succession from their fathers, which are not written in the laws of Moses: and for that reason it is, that the Sadducees reject them: and say, that we are to esteem those observances to be obligatory which are in the written word; but are not to observe what are derived from the tradition of our forefathers. And concerning these things it is that great disputes and differences have arisen among them.¹

Here, we see:

• Pharisees = written word + unwritten tradition.
• Sadducees = written word alone.

Who’s Right?

To determine which side of the dispute is right, we need not judge for ourselves. Indeed, the Judge Himself tells us.

Christ says:

• The Sadducees know neither the Scriptures nor the power of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.²
  
• His hearers must 1. “do” (ποιήσατε) and 2. “observe” (τηρεῖτε) everything the Pharisees say, for the latter sit in “Moses’ seat” of teaching authority.³

Thus Christ (while approving of neither sect’s conduct) denounces the teachings of the “Scripture alone” sect, and endorses those of the group who supplement Scripture with authentic unwritten traditions—the Pharisees.

It makes sense, then, why the Apostle Paul—a “Pharisee of Pharisees”—⁴ instructs the Thessalonian Christians to hold to everything he handed down, both written and unwritten:

So then, brothers, stand firm
and hold to the traditions
that you were taught by us,
either by our spoken word
or by our letter. ⁵

The Imperative for an “Oral + Written Tradition” Approach

Therefore, to our list of those two words of Christ (via Saint Matthew) a bit above:

1. “do” (ποιήσατε)
2. “observe” (τηρεῖτε),

we add two more from Saint Paul:

3. “stand firm” (στήκετε)
4. “hold” (κρατεῖτε).

Now, we must note: these four words are all written in the imperative mood—i.e., they are commands. And so we see: the New Testament not only incorporates oral tradition into its own hermeneutic approach; it commands Christians do likewise.

Christians who consider Scripture authoritative must ask themselves if they read their Bibles the way the Bible itself instructs them to.⁶

Notes

1. Josephus, Antiquities 13.10.6, emphasis added.
2. Matthew 22:23–33.
3. Matthew 23:2–3; see interlinear.
4. Acts 23:6; cf. Acts 26:5; Philippians 3:5.
5. 2 Thessalonians 2:15 ESV, emphasis added; see interlinear.
6. Cf. St. John of Damascus, Three Treatises on the Divine Images 1.27–28.