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The Claims of Rome and Eastern Orthodoxy  /  Apostolic Succession – Part 1  /  Discussion Questions
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Question 10
Near the end, Bercot warns that accepting “important doctrine passed down only by word of mouth” opens the door to “virtually any teaching” and “won’t stop with apostolic succession”; where do you see that slippery slope operating today (including among evangelicals), and what concrete habits of discernment would keep your group from either (a) dismissing history arrogantly or (b) granting it authority that belongs to Scripture?
Another way to ask: Bercot warns that treating “word of mouth” traditions as required doctrine can lead to accepting almost anything. Where do you see that happening today, and what habits would help your group respect church history without letting it outrank Scripture?

Direct Answer Bercot warns that once Christians accept major doctrines without New Testament evidence, based mainly on later tradition, they can be pulled toward more unscriptural beliefs. His safeguard is to use early writings as helpful “commentary” and “history,” but never as an independent authority alongside Scripture.

Support from Transcript:

  • He concludes: “we’re going to have to do it through the teachings of the church after the deaths of the apostles because it’s not there in the New Testament.”
  • He immediately cautions: “that is a very dangerous thing,” because it normalizes unwritten apostolic doctrines.
  • He warns: “Once you allow… an important doctrine was passed down… only by word of mouth… you’ve opened the door to believe virtually any teaching.”
  • He gives the example trajectory: “Before long, you’re going to be praying to Mary and believing all sorts of unscriptural teachings. It won’t stop with apostolic succession.”
  • He balances respect for history: early writings are “best commentary possible,” but only a “commentary… and a history,” not authority.
Discussion Follow-ups What practical group habits would reflect his approach—systematic Scripture study first, then historical reading as secondary confirmation or warning?

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