Patrick Madrid had an engaging chat with Leon from Fort Myers, Florida. Leon was on a quest to find the “true church” and was puzzled about how Jesus could have been in the grave for “three days and three nights” from a Friday crucifixion to a Sunday resurrection.

Patrick jumped in, explaining that the phrase “three days and three nights” is more of a figure of speech. In Jewish tradition, any part of a day counts as a whole day. So, Jesus being in the tomb part of Friday, all of Saturday, and part of Sunday actually covers three days. It’s a bit like saying “I’ll see you in three days” on Friday afternoon and meeting up on Sunday morning.

But then Leon brought up sola scriptura, the idea that the Bible alone should be our guide. He felt safer sticking strictly to the scriptures without additional traditions or interpretations.

Patrick tackled this by asking where exactly the Bible teaches that it should be the only source of authority. He pointed out that the Bible itself came from the Church’s tradition. Early Christians didn’t have the New Testament as we know it; they relied on the teachings of the apostles and the Church’s traditions. This tradition is what gave us the Bible in the first place.

Patrick emphasized that interpreting the Bible on your own can lead to misunderstandings. The early Christians and Church Fathers always interpreted scripture within the community of faith, guided by the Holy Spirit. This communal approach is crucial for getting the full picture.

Leon was still skeptical, worrying about Church scandals and preferring to rely solely on scripture. Patrick agreed that scandals are real and problematic but argued that they don’t invalidate the Church’s teachings. He encouraged Leon to look at the consistency and continuity of the Church’s interpretations since the time of the apostles.

The chat ended on a friendly note, with Patrick inviting Leon to keep searching for truth with an open heart and reminding him that the Catholic Church is always there for those who want to dive deeper into its teachings.

Bottom Line: Patrick’s conversation with Leon highlighted a big debate in Christianity: the role of scripture versus tradition. Patrick argued that the Church’s tradition is essential for properly understanding the Bible, challenging the idea of sola scriptura. It was a spirited and enlightening discussion, perfect for anyone grappling with these big questions.

If you’re thinking about becoming Catholic, know that you can always come home! Take the jump in, and never be afraid to ask Patrick Madrid your questions!

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