Tradition and the Biblical Text

Traditions, in any generation, are first supported by the telling of the events that are used to legitimize our existence.   Oral tradition was an important part of the early disciples.  As they gathered in memory of Christ and ate the supper, they would recall the events of His life and began writing them down approximately thirty years later.   Thirty years gives credibility to the first century scriptures as it allows for the contemporaries to critique their work and prove it to be either accurate or fraudulent.    Obviously, we don’t get a complete picture (cf. John 20:30-31), but we have what is “sufficient” to produce faith and accomplish “every good work” (cf. 2 Tim. 3:16-17).  Before someone hurriedly add that “Scripture” pertains only to the Old Testament, be advised that Peter classifies Paul’s writing as “scripture” (2 Peter 3:16).  Any inspired man of God could speak, being moved by the Holy Spirit (cf. 2 Peter 1:21), or write a “God-breathed” document called “scripture.”   This revelation from God through the Holy apostles and prophets is the unchanging document preserved by the Koine Greek of the first century.   The writing of holy Scriptures is the most copied writing of any document on earth.   Before the printing press of the fifteenth century, any duplication was hand copied.  Naturally, there are some scribal errors.   And, translations are never perfect, either.  Although it is not the purpose of this book to explore the production of the text, we are only showing that the written text is the only way to freeze the traditions in time and prevent further elaboration, additions and fabrications of man down through the years.   So, the reliability of the oral traditions is confirmed by writing it down.   It is the one tangible evidence of divine patterns.