Defense Against Deceit via Diction
Be wary of false teachers on the internet. They read. But, only a little. They read enough to think they know everything, but she who reads more learns the Socratic truth that as of yet she knows nothing. Alas, this a good basis of knowledge. To know that you do not know is a beautiful thing.
Another beautiful thing is to add contextual knowledge to your skillset. Dear Orthodox faithful, and indeed all Christian peoples, I cannot add much to the debate regarding the words tradition and teaching, for all that needs to be said has been said by others, but I can point you in an informative and life-giving direction.
The distinction betwixt tradition and teaching made by many false teachers, who are often from one of the 23,000 plus branches of Protestantism, is a false dichotomy. Rarely, if ever, do you see me evangelizing my denomination, for the Lord will not ask us "which denomination were you?" on His day. But, when I come across THIS false dichotomy, it does fluster me. It is a demonic and time-sucking twisting of words, and in English no less, not even the Greek or Hebrew or Aramaic, but English. May the Holy Spirit grant you and I His fruit of self-control on the internet and in all places, both now and ever unto the eons of eons.
Think of tradition as a verb, to tradition. An apropos American example is the hand-me-down (hamee-down as pronounced by children). The hand-me-down is a piece of clothing your older sister wore and either she, or your parents, gave it to you to wear, instead of acquiring you new clothing. The Apostolic teaching and instruction unto life is the hand-me-down for all generations. No new teaching is necessary. Only add new functional examples for new generations. This hand-me-down, the Apostolic instruction unto life, is a piece of clothing to be worn with honor everywhere and at all times. And in case you forgot, though the title of this blog should never let you forget, it is summed in loving your neighbour by putting her before you, and loving God by prioritizing Him before everyone.
Sometimes the Holy Bible uses the Greek word paradosis (tradition) pejoratively and sometimes the Holy Bible uses the Greek word paradosis positively. Every time, it is referring to an instruction handed down from a teacher/father to a disciple/son.
But, if you don't like my explanation. Search the Scriptures with this scholarly account.
Furthermore, we must love each other.