Are Traditions Needed?

[Tree of Life]

I think in a roundabout way they may. The thing is that traditions need to be scrutinized. Yet those who deny they have any traditions are the least likely to scrutinize the traditions they follow because they deny they follow any traditions. They are thus in the most danger.

Agreed. If we don't know how to recognize our own traditions then we will mistake our traditions for God's word, not realizing that the two are related, but different.

 

[Tree of Life]

Scripture is a tradition, and the result of many traditions.

Scripture is God's unique word. It shouldn't be equated with a man-made tradition like decorating a Christmas tree. It does have a unique status.

 

[Gregory Thompson]

Scripture is God's unique word. It shouldn't be equated with a man-made tradition like decorating a Christmas tree. It does have a unique status.

I agree that scripture has a unique status. However, the politics surrounding the translation of scripture isn't much different than denominational theology.

 

[Natsumi Lam]

Scripture is a tradition, and the result of many traditions.

What about extrabiblical or contridictory traditions?

 

[Tree of Life]

I agree that scripture has a unique status. However, the politics surrounding the translation of scripture isn't much different than denominational theology.

Translations can reflect traditions. But I would never so closely identify Scripture with theology. Theology may be scrutinized and revised. But Scripture cannot be either scrutinized nor revised.

 

[Gregory Thompson]

What about extrabiblical or contridictory traditions?

Extrabiblical according to which canon?

Contradictory according to which logical premise?

 

[Gregory Thompson]

Translations can reflect traditions. But I would never so closely identify Scripture with theology. Theology may be scrutinized and revised. But Scripture cannot be either scrutinized or revised.

Well, except when entire books are ripped out arbitrarily like with the apocrypha.

 

[Tree of Life]

What about extrabiblical or contridictory traditions?

As has been said, contradictory traditions should be abandoned. Extrabiblical traditions may be maintained so long as they don't distract from what's most important and they are kept in their proper place.

 

[Tree of Life]

Well, except when entire books are ripped out arbitrarily like with the apocrypha.

I reject that interpretation of history. You can't rip something out that never belonged there to begin with.

 

[Gregory Thompson]

I reject that interpretation of history. You can't rip something out that never belonged there to begin with.

Historic revisionism, circa 1800s.

 

[Natsumi Lam]

Well, except when entire books are ripped out arbitrarily like with the apocrypha.

Were they arbitrarily or with purpose?

 

[Gregory Thompson]

Were they arbitrarily or with purpose?

I'm sure there was a purpose, but the motivation wasn't much different than Jeraboam when he created an alternate place of worship in the old testament.

 

[Natsumi Lam]

As has been said, contradictory traditions should be abandoned. Extrabiblical traditions may be maintained so long as they don't distract from what's most important and they are kept in their proper place.

Makes sense.

 

[Tree of Life]

Historic revisionism, circa 1800s.

I think that's uncharitable.

 

[Gregory Thompson]

I think that's uncharitable.

I'm a big picture kind of guy. It ruins my enjoyment when a large part of the tapestry is torched, and then presented as the original thing.

 

[Tree of Life]

I'm a big picture kind of guy. It ruins my enjoyment when a large part of the tapestry is torched, and then presented as the original thing.

If you're a big picture kind of guy then you should know that the apocrypha have always been controversial.

 

[Romans 8]

There are 7 churches described in Revelation,which one do you belong?

 

[Gregory Thompson]

If you're a big picture kind of guy then you should know that the apocrypha have always been controversial.

Regardless, since they were in the apostles' bible, that should be good enough for us.

 

[Tree of Life]

Regardless, since they were in the apostles' bible, that should be good enough for us.

This begs the question.

 

[Calvin_1985]

We all have traditions. Including the tradition of those who vociferously deny they have any tradition. Those are most in danger of being overly influenced by their tradition who deny they live by that tradition.

Maybe In just a weirdo, but I literally have no more traditions. Jesus got rid of it all in my life. You may not believe that, but it undeniably true.