If you ever get the opportunity to discuss or explain some misconceptions about Catholicism with a fundamentalist I guarantee you will hear one of the following:
1.) If it's not in the Bible I don't believe it.
2.) Show me where it says that in the Bible.
3.) You Catholics place tradition above the Bible. Then they often go on to chastise us with the following verse or one similar.
Mark 7:13
Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.
There is one suggestion I would like to make. When someone gives you a quote take time to read before and after the verse quoted. In the case of this verse Christ’s statement is a result of the Pharisees upset with the Apostles not obeying the ceremonial tradition of washing their hands before they ate. Comparing a ceremonial tradition with Apostolic Tradition is like comparing apples to oranges.Fundamentalists and Evangelicals are strictly Bible only people while Catholics rely on Church teaching which is based on the Bible and Tradition. Actually you may be surprised to know that the Bible encourages and actually urges us to hold fast to our traditions.
2 Thessalonians 2:15
Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
2 Thessalonians 3:6
Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
1 Cor 11:2
Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you.
2 Tim 2:2
And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
1 Thes 2:13
For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.
The Catholic Church wants us to have a close relationship with Jesus and encourages us to read and study scripture. The Church however realizes the importance of Tradition for us to have a better understanding of Christ and His mission since much of what Jesus did is not recorded in the Bible.
John 20:30
And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:
John 21:25
And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.
The Early Fathers on the importance of Tradition
Irenaeus of Lyons 189 A.D. (Against Heresies 3:4:1) "That is why it is surely necessary to avoid them [heretics], while cherishing with the utmost diligence the things pertaining to the Church, and to lay hold of the Tradition of truth. . . . What if the Apostles had not in fact left writings to us? Would it not be necessary to follow the order of Tradition, which was handed down to those to whom they entrusted the Churches?"
Epiphanius of Salamis 375A.D. (Medicine Chest Against All Heresies 61:6). "It is needful also to make use of Tradition, for not everything can be gotten from Sacred Scripture. The holy Apostles handed down some things in the Scriptures, other things in Tradition."
Basil the Great 375A.D. (The Holy Spirit 27:66). "Of the dogmas and messages preserved in the Church, some we possess from written teaching and others we receive from the Tradition of the Apostles, handed on to us in mystery. In respect to piety both are of the same force. No one will contradict any of these, no one, at any rate, who is even moderately versed in matters ecclesiastical. Indeed, were we to try to reject unwritten customs as having no great authority, we would unwittingly injure the gospel in its vitals; or rather, we would reduce [Christian] message to a mere term"
John Chrysostom 402 A.D. (Homilies on 2 Thessalonians). "[Paul commands:] 'Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the Traditions which you have been taught, whether by word or by our letter' [2 Thess. 2:15]. From this it is clear that they did not hand down everything by letter, but there is much also that was not written. Like that which was written, the unwritten too is worthy of belief. So let us regard the Tradition of the Church also as worthy of belief. Is it a Tradition? Seek no further"The Church also knows that the Bible alone does not meet the criteria to be a competent guide to salvation. A competent guide to salvation would have to be available to all and clear to all. The Bible does not meet this criteria. The Church flourished and grew for many years before all the books in the New Testament were even written. Even after all the books of the New Testament were written there was disagreement and conflict for centuries on which writings were inspired. The Bible wasn't available to anyone but the very rich until the invention of the printing press. And as far as being clear to all; a look at the yellow pages under churches should be proof to anyone that the Bible is not clear to all. All the denominations in the phone book all claiming to be preaching and teaching the truths in the Bible and no two believing the same way. Another fact to consider is that even today, in this country, there are many people who are still unable to read. How clear and competent a guide is the Bible for them?
Many of our fundamentalist brothers and sisters are of the opinion that the Bible is the basis or the foundation of all Christian truth. The Bible itself teaches that the Church and not scripture is the foundation of truth.
1 Timothy 3:15
But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.One question you might want to ask a Bible only Christian is the following:
Who determined which writings would make up the canon of the New Testament?
The answer you might receive from Bible only Christians is that the early Christians decided. Some people accept that answer without question. If you read Church history and the early writings of the Church you will see that there was disagreement for centuries over which books were inspired and should be in the canon and which were to be rejected. Even the Early Fathers of the Church weren’t in total agreement. Two councils of the Catholic Church finally ended any further discussion or dissent on the canon of the New Testament. The Synod of Hippo (393) determined which books would make up the canon of the Old and New Testament. This decision was ratified again at the Synod of Carthage (397) with the injunction that the Church of Rome be consulted to confirm the canon.
This presents a paradox for our non Catholic brothers and sisters. How can they accept the books of the New Testament and openly mock, criticize and reject the Catholic Church, which is the institution that determined the canon of the New Testament.
Some other questions you might want to ask a Bible only Christian are:Why is private interpretation considered permissible when the Bible not only cautions against it but warns that it can lead to destruction?
2 Peter 1:20
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
2 Peter 3:16
As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.Why do you worship on Sunday? The Bible says that God blessed and made holy the seventh day, which is Saturday. Sunday is the first day of the week.
Exodus 20:8-11
Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
Exodus 35:2
Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be to you an holy day, a sabbath of rest to the LORD: whosoever doeth work therein shall be put to death.
Was the seventh day Sabbath to be something temporary? Not according to the Bible. It is a commandment that was to last forever.
Isaiah 40:8
The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.
If the Jews worship on Saturday, as the Bible commands why do Christians worship on Sunday? Who changed it? Speaking from experience, I'm sure the person you are talking with won't like the answer. The Catholic Church being the only institution to claim to have, and actually possess the power to loose and bind, changed the day of worship from Saturday to Sunday.
Matthew 16:19
And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.Why do many churches deny Baptism is necessary for salvation when Jesus said it is necessary?
John 3:5
Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.Why don’t all churches have a rite or sacrament for confession of sin when it is encouraged in Scripture?
James 5:16
Confess your faults one to another, Yes I know this verse states "confess your faults" not your sins. The Greek word used in James 5:16 for fault is paraptoma which may be translated sin, fault, offense, trespass or fall.Why do some churches permit marriage after divorce when Scripture tells us man can't separate what God has joined?
Matthew 19:6
Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.Why do some churches condemn the Church for having priests and religious who practice celibacy? Jesus spoke of it and St. Paul not only practiced it himself but encouraged it.
Matthew 19:12
For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.
1 Corinthians 7:32-34
But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord: But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife. There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.Some also criticise those who take a vow of poverty and give up the opportunity of having family and a home just to serve God. When scripture says it is the way to perfection.
Luke 18:29-30
And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.Why do some Christians advocate the health and wealth doctrine as if poverty, suffering, and lack of material things are signs that you are not a true believer?
Matthew 19:21
Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
Matthew 19:24
And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.