Sunday, May 22, 2022

An Example of an Inspired Oral Tradition not being Found Exhaustively in Inscripturated Revelation

  

. . . there is evidence that some apostolic traditions aren’t identical to the sacred writings. Consider, for example, Paul’s statements concerning the “man of lawlessness” or “son of perdition” in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-6. Paul writes:

 

Let no one deceive you in any way; for that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called go or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you this? And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time.

 

Notice the last line, “And you know what is restraining him now.” This is listed among several things concerning “the man of lawlessness” (v. 3) that Paul says he taught them when he was still with them (v. 5). Yet it’s not identified in his writings. (Karlo Broussard, Meeting the Protestant Response: How to Answer Common Comebacks to Catholic Arguments [El Cajon, Calif.: Catholic Answers Press, 2022], 212-13)