Recently someone posed the question to me, "What's wrong with tradition?" We were talking about the differences between some denominations and faiths. I being a Baptist, use the Bible as my sole source for doctrine and practice, but there are others who use the Bible+tradition, or Bible+tradition+outside+teaching (outside teaching referring to non-canonical writings) as their source.
So this prompted me to start thinking about tradition and why tradition isn't part of the belief system that I follow.
First, I would like to note that the idea that we (Baptists) have "no traditions" is a bit silly. Of course we have traditions, defining ourselves by the "Baptist distinctives" is a tradition. etc.
The difference, as I see it, comes back to doctrine. I have no big problem with traditions. If you want to wear head-coverings because that is a tradition of your family or whatever, then more power to ya. If you want to wear only black suits, white shirts, and black ties to church then by all means help yourselves. The difference is when tradition becomes dogma, when tradition becomes ingrained belief. It's not even a matter of whether or not the tradition is "extra-biblical" or (in some opinions) "anti-biblical". Tradition has a place, but it's place is not in doctrine and it's place is not in dogma.
Jesus had to deal with some folks who had placed far too much emphasis on tradition when He walked the earth. In Mark we see Jesus dealing with these folks and telling them:
"Mark 7:13 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye."
Notice here that the tradition is "your tradition" not God's, and the tradition was delivered by "ye" and not God, and it was by this tradition that they made the word of God of none effect. Tradition, when made into dogma, can be a very dangerous thing. It can, in effect, make the word of God of none effect. Which to me is a scary proposal.
In Matthew we have another example:
Matthew 15:3 But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?
This is not to say that all traditions are evil, or that all traditions can make the Word of God of none effect but what is it really that we are saying here when we make tradition into doctrine/dogma?
To make tradition into doctrine is, in effect (and in my opinion), to say that "The Bible is not sufficient". If I need/want tradition to be my mode of practice then what I'm really suffering from is a supposed lack in the Word of God. To me the Word is not sufficient and therefore I must add something (from someone else) to it in order to complete my faith/practice. Otherwise what is it (tradition) there for?
To me personally, I believe that the Word of God is the complete revelation and that it is beyond sufficient for my life while on this Earth. I'm not a bit concerned with what John Calvin ate for breakfast, or what prayer Moody said before he went to sleep. I'm not concerned with doing what these folks did because I have the exact same book that they had and I'm able to interpret it through the same Spirit of Truth (John 14:17) that dwelt in them. Now I'll look at what they did and I won't fault anyone for doing what they did if that's what they want, but if someone were to press me and say that "this is the right thing to do because these men did it and so we have to do it as well.." There will be a strong disagreement... and now having thought about it.. I understand why.
Just some stray thoughts.
So this prompted me to start thinking about tradition and why tradition isn't part of the belief system that I follow.
First, I would like to note that the idea that we (Baptists) have "no traditions" is a bit silly. Of course we have traditions, defining ourselves by the "Baptist distinctives" is a tradition. etc.
The difference, as I see it, comes back to doctrine. I have no big problem with traditions. If you want to wear head-coverings because that is a tradition of your family or whatever, then more power to ya. If you want to wear only black suits, white shirts, and black ties to church then by all means help yourselves. The difference is when tradition becomes dogma, when tradition becomes ingrained belief. It's not even a matter of whether or not the tradition is "extra-biblical" or (in some opinions) "anti-biblical". Tradition has a place, but it's place is not in doctrine and it's place is not in dogma.
Jesus had to deal with some folks who had placed far too much emphasis on tradition when He walked the earth. In Mark we see Jesus dealing with these folks and telling them:
"Mark 7:13 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye."
Notice here that the tradition is "your tradition" not God's, and the tradition was delivered by "ye" and not God, and it was by this tradition that they made the word of God of none effect. Tradition, when made into dogma, can be a very dangerous thing. It can, in effect, make the word of God of none effect. Which to me is a scary proposal.
In Matthew we have another example:
Matthew 15:3 But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?
This is not to say that all traditions are evil, or that all traditions can make the Word of God of none effect but what is it really that we are saying here when we make tradition into doctrine/dogma?
To make tradition into doctrine is, in effect (and in my opinion), to say that "The Bible is not sufficient". If I need/want tradition to be my mode of practice then what I'm really suffering from is a supposed lack in the Word of God. To me the Word is not sufficient and therefore I must add something (from someone else) to it in order to complete my faith/practice. Otherwise what is it (tradition) there for?
To me personally, I believe that the Word of God is the complete revelation and that it is beyond sufficient for my life while on this Earth. I'm not a bit concerned with what John Calvin ate for breakfast, or what prayer Moody said before he went to sleep. I'm not concerned with doing what these folks did because I have the exact same book that they had and I'm able to interpret it through the same Spirit of Truth (John 14:17) that dwelt in them. Now I'll look at what they did and I won't fault anyone for doing what they did if that's what they want, but if someone were to press me and say that "this is the right thing to do because these men did it and so we have to do it as well.." There will be a strong disagreement... and now having thought about it.. I understand why.
Just some stray thoughts.
