| Hi Bob,
Amazingly, I came across this string, not of my own doing. I flipped
to this note by chance and surprisingly enough, found I was quoted.
I would like to start by sighting a passage found in Matthew 15.
"Then some pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem saying,
"Why do your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For
they do not wash their hands when they eat bread." And he answered and
said to them, "And why do you yourselves transgress the commandment of
God for the sake of your tradition? For God said, 'Honor your Father
and your Mother, and he who speaks evil of Father or Mother, Let him be
put to death.' "But you say, 'Whoever shall say to his father or
mother, "Anything of mine you might have been helped by has been given
to God," he is not to honor his father or his mother.' And thus you
invalidated the word of God for the sake of your tradition. "You
hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying, 'This people
honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 'But in
vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of mere
men.'"
To answer how tradition contradicts the claims of Christ and even the
Old Testament can actually be rolled up in this passage. Christ was
speaking to the religious leaders of that day and giving them what I
would call, a high rebuke. Why? Because of their self righteousness,
they felt they had the authority to add to the Mosaic law, thus
controlling the masses. If you study church history, you may be very
surprised to find that denominations fell into the same trap of adding
their own teachings. Only TRADITIONAL interpretation and expansion of
the law required the washing of hands, the Written law DID NOT. Only
priests needed to make an ablution before eating to cleanse themselves
from anything unclean. You can also see that Christ accused them of
also negating the commandment about honoring parents. " ... By their
traditions, they nullify the word of God."
Now I would also like to make one other thing clear. I have absolutely
nothing against some tradition, but only if it is not misused. I know in my
family, their are traditions we have that bring us close together, I.E.
birthdays, Christmas, eating Turkey on Thanksgiving (Even though the
original pilgrims didn't eat turkey) Another historical fact that
tradition nullified, but I don't care if you don't.
My problems with tradition pretty much fall under the same situation
Christ had in Matthew 15. As I speak to many individuals throughout my
life, I speak to many religious people, regular church goers, decent
law abiding citizens that say Christ was the greatest teacher in the
world. He was a man that gave great sermons on loving thy neighbor,
he laid the philosophy of good christian living. This teaching is
absolutely true and holds high merit. Unfortunately, these same
institutions deny the deity and messiahship of Christ. Some claim that
Jesus isn't the only way. In essence, the Pharisee's also claimed that
Jesus wasn't the only way. A tough pill to swallow I know.
The decision is an individual one, this is mandated by the bible. We
all can choose what we want to believe. I for one believe the ancient
hebrew prophets died horribly to bring the message of salvation to us.
If I believed my personal righteousness (which really doesn't exist)
could match what Christ did on the cross, It would be as though my
traditional belief would nullify what Christ did and would thus reject
His plan of salvation. It is to me a dangerous thing to do.
Warmly in Christ,
Jack
|
| re Note 318.1 by KEYWST::MARTIN:
> To answer how tradition contradicts the claims of Christ and even the
> Old Testament can actually be rolled up in this passage. Christ was
> speaking to the religious leaders of that day and giving them what I
> would call, a high rebuke. Why? Because of their self righteousness,
> they felt they had the authority to add to the Mosaic law, thus
> controlling the masses. If you study church history, you may be very
You seem to be leaping to the conclusion that since the
religious leaders which confronted Christ had abused the
masses in the name of tradition, that therefore all tradition
is dross. That doesn't seem to be in the passage (although
one traditional interpretation of this passages is as you
say).
> Some claim that
> Jesus isn't the only way. In essence, the Pharisee's also claimed that
> Jesus wasn't the only way. A tough pill to swallow I know.
Claiming that "Jesus isn't the only way" certainly isn't a
part of any tradition of any Christian or pseudo-Christian
sect I know of, so I don't see the relevance. I don't think
that the Pharisees considered Jesus to be any way at all.
Bob
|
| Yes, I agree with 2 Thessolonians 2:15. We are to HOLD TO THE
TRADITIONS which were taught by us; either by word of mouth or by
letter. I believe this is referring to the written word of God which
is to be handed down through discipleship and fellowship with
believers. Paul also confirms the Bible as sacred Tradition in a
letter to Timothy where he states that ALL scripture is inspired by God
and is profitable for reproof, correction, and training in
righteousness.
As far as all traditions being dross, on the contrary. I find certain
traditions to be very edifying. As stated in note 1, there are
traditions not necessarily ordained by God, yet hold value in bringing
families close together, help marriages to be maintained, members of a
nation to come together. I find for example the 4th of July to be one
of my favorite traditions as it alerts people to be thankful for the
freedoms we have (at least for now). Christmas is also a favorite as I
can use to talk about Christian matters with family.
We need to remember however that there are traditional teachings in our
churches that can actually destroy foundations of faith, just as the
Pharisees in Matthew 15. I feel the difference in philosophy with many
is that some think Christ was the greatest teacher; however, they only
accept the teachings that fit into their scheme of thinking. The rest
of his teaching is ignored. That is why he rebuked the pharisees.
Tradition is not dross. It can be a great thing. Just make sure it is
used in the proper context of life. An old traditional tale we tell
kids is that if you lose a tooth, the fairy god mother will leave a
quarter under your pillow. A child can believe this until they come to
an age of reason. Believe it or not, there are traditional teachings
out there in the adult world that leave people in a total state of
confusion. Am I perfect, certainly not. I want to strive for it so
I will hope follow sound doctrine and not the empty teachings of mere
men. I know I have a long way to go and I as you read this note, I
sincerely hope that you understand, I want to be teachable!
Warmly in Christ,
Jack
|