Tradition I. Introduction A. Let us consider a topic that has been contentious for generations B. Tradition! C. A matter that tends to lead to polarities 1. Tradition advocates fiercely seek to hold on to their traditions 2. Iconoclasts want to smash any and all traditions 3. Some groups enshrine tradition as law 4. Other groups try to undermine a belief or practice by giving it the label of "tradition" D. Yet, in all of this, what does the Bible say? E. Let us seek to explore and understand what God has said about tradition II. What is Tradition? A. What is it that we speak of when we talk about tradition? B. "Tradition" 1. From Latin traditio, "to hand down" 1. English definition: "Delivery; the act of delivering into the hands of another; the delivery of opinions, doctrines, practices, rites and customs from father to son, or from ancestors to posterity; the transmission of any opinions or practice from forefathers to descendants by oral communication, without written memorials; that which is handed down from age to age by oral communication (Webster's) 2. Greek word paradosis: giving up, giving over; the act of giving up; a giving over which is done by word of mouth or in writing, i.e. tradition by instruction, narrative, precept, etc. (Thayer's) C. Tradition, therefore, something handed down/delivered over/given over D. In religious terms, tradition is the body of beliefs, doctrines, and practices handed down or passed along through generations, a means of accomplishing given tasks E. What has God said about such things? III. Divine Tradition A. As we will see, there is some tension in terms of what is revealed about tradition B. The Bible, at times, commends "traditions" C. 1 Corinthians 11:2: Corinthians commended for holding fast to the traditions Paul delivered to them D. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26: regarding Lord's Supper, Paul "delivered" to the Corinthians what he had "received" from the Lord E. 1 Corinthians 15:3-8: Paul "delivered" what was of first importance: the Gospel message of Jesus' death and resurrection F. 2 Thessalonians 2:15: Thessalonians are to stand firm and hold to traditions Paul taught them by his spoken word or by his letters G. 2 Thessalonians 3:6-12: Paul warns Thessalonians to have nothing to do with Christians who do not follow the traditions received from him: notably, his example in working, not being idle H. Therefore, some "traditions" are commended in Scripture! I. According to the Roman Catholic concept of "Apostolic Tradition"? 1. These are the verses used to justify Roman Catholic idea of "Apostolic tradition" 2. Their definition seems to assume something akin to the Pharisees of old, that there was the "written instruction" in Scripture, and then the "oral instruction" enshrined in the "Apostolic tradition" 3. But how does Scripture define tradition here? J. Note the "traditions" mentioned 1. 2 Thessalonians 2:15: traditions delivered by letter as well as preaching 2. 2 Thessalonians 3:6-12: tradition based on lifestyle of Apostle 3. 1 Corinthians: traditions defined as Gospel proclamation, Lord's Supper, etc. K. Biblical, Apostolic, or Divine Traditions are not in contrast with message of Scripture; instead, another way of speaking about the message of God! 1. The Gospel is not just the divine message, it is also the divine tradition: that which God has delivered to the Apostles, who delivered it to us 2. The Lord's Supper, baptism, other practices and doctrines elaborated upon in Scripture: the same way L. True Biblical/Apostolic/Divine Tradition is not the same as Roman Catholic "Apostolic Tradition"! 1. 2 Timothy 3:16-17: the Scriptures equip the man of God for every good work; there is no tradition extraneous to Scripture that is necessary for the Christian to serve God 2. The Scriptures and their substantive message delivered by God through Apostles, those whom He inspired with the Spirit with their special dispensation of authority (Matthew 18:18); that dispensation would not endure (1 Corinthians 13:8-10) 3. Much of what passes for Roman Catholic "apostolic tradition," infant baptism, ecclesiastical offices, beliefs about the church, Mary, saints, etc., all date far after the time of the Apostles, have no substantive basis in apostolic authority M. True Biblical/Apostolic/Divine Tradition, therefore, critical and essential for believers! 1. Paul, in three passages, commends believers who follow divine traditions given to them and/or commands them to do so 2. These traditions are what the Apostles delivered to Christians as they received it from Christ and the Spirit: the Gospel, the Lord's Supper, the way Christians are to conduct themselves 3. These traditions all can be found in Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16-17) 4. Therefore, there is no basis in being entirely hostile to tradition or entirely iconoclastic; certain traditions are always commendable! IV. Human Tradition A. As we saw previously, while tradition is commended, it is the divine tradition that must be followed B. What about other forms of tradition? C. Matthew 15:1-9 / Mark 7:1-13: Jesus condemns the Pharisees for departing from God's commandment, holding to traditions of men, as Isaiah condemned in Isaiah 29:13 D. Colossians 2:8: Paul warns believers against being captured by philosophy, empty deceit, based in "human tradition," not according to Christ E. Therefore, we have warnings about human traditions! F. But what, precisely, is the nature of the warning? G. Is God saying that we should condemn all human traditions? 1. Remember: a tradition is something delivered, handed down 2. Many of our beliefs, practices, etc., are things done by parents, grandparents, and perhaps further back 3. The meeting place, an "order" in an assembly, a particular style of assembly, means by which various practices are accomplished, etc., all would fall under the category of "traditions" 4. Not a few Biblical liberties can be described as traditions! 5. Since Jesus has not changed (Hebrews 13:8), and the Gospel message is still the same (Galatians 1:6-9), if it was right to do/use in past generations, can it be condemned merely because it is a "tradition"? H. Let us carefully consider what Jesus and Paul are condemning! 1. Are they actually condemning any and all traditions? 2. By no means; Jesus is condemning the Pharisees for invalidating the word of God by their tradition 3. Paul's concern is that believers are not enslaved to human tradition that is not according to Christ I. The challenge, therefore, is not in human tradition itself, but in its relation to the Word of God! 1. Since God has left the specific feel and look of many practices, and the means by which to accomplish many of the practices, as realms of liberty, it is natural and expected for people to accomplish them in certain ways that continue over time 2. There is no inherent problem in this 3. Problem #1: a tradition that comes into conflict with a command of the Bible (e.g., infant baptism vs. immersion of adults) 4. Problem #2: imposing a tradition as if it were a Biblical tradition (e.g., mandating a certain order of assembly, binding a particular Bible translation) J. We must walk a fine line here! 1. It is one thing to do things in specific, particular ways... 2. ...but we must make sure that we are not violating any command or principle of Scripture in so doing 3. ...and we must always make a clear distinction between divine tradition and human tradition, what must never be compromised and what must be compromised if the situation demands it! V. Attitudes Toward Tradition A. A word should be said about attitudes toward tradition B. As established in the beginning, "tradition" tends to engender polarity 1. "Traditionalists" tend to hold onto traditions fiercely, chastise and challenge anyone who would want to change things 2. "Iconoclasts" want to upset the status quo and complacency and often want change just to keep from settling into a tradition C. As imperfect humans seeking to reflect Christ, we do well to find a more middle way D. We cannot escape from the fact that Christianity has existed for 2,000 years! 1. The Restoration Movement has sought to restore New Testament Christianity 2. A noble aspiration, but we must confess that part of being Christians in the 21st century is coming to terms with the 2,000 year heritage of Christianity 3. Means of understanding the Godhead, the tension between divine grace and human freedom, the nature of the elements of the Lord's Supper, parachurch organizations and societies, etc., fiercely argued, multiple positions developed 4. We can come to a Biblical understanding of these doctrines, but in so doing, we're having conversations not envisioned in the first century, necessitated by later developments 5. While we must be aware of our presuppositions, preconceived notions, and the history of interpretation and understanding over the past 2,000 years, we cannot imagine that we can escape that history entirely! E. Change for the sake of change is often unproductive! 1. A mature understanding of Christianity demonstrates that it is not about us and what we want, but what encourages and benefits others (Romans 15:1-3, Philippians 2:1-4) 2. We must remember that the Kingdom is not just about the righteousness in the Holy Spirit, but also peace and joy (Romans 14:17)! 3. Is it really worth it to impose changes in traditions if they alienate and cause great disturbance to other Christians? 4. When considering change, we must consider how it will impact everyone, and make sure that we are truly working for the edification and encouragement of the Body (Ephesians 4:11-16, 1 Corinthians 12:12-28)! F. Nevertheless, change is constant! 1. A lot of the resistance to change in traditions is that traditions take on lives of their own and become a source of solace and comfort 2. To change them seems to demand the loss of a "safety blanket" for some! 3. But any human tradition is designed to do something to please God, not provide for our own comfort (Galatians 2:20, Colossians 3:17) 4. To resist alterations in traditions merely because it is different from the way it has always been done, or because it does not suit preferences, is itself not really exhibiting a concern for others and what might be best in serving the Lord! 5. In reality, traditions easily become rote rituals, devoid of life, and spiritually empty: precisely not what Jesus intended (Matthew 6:7-8, etc.)! 6. Other traditions, perhaps more culturally conditioned (clothing, certain modes of speech, etc.), can ossify and could push away those who are younger and weaker! G. Therefore, it is best for us to view tradition through the lens of how we can best serve God! 1. We should not be so traditional as to always resist any kind of change but not so iconoclastic as to always resist any kind of tradition! 2. Do the traditions help us serve God, encourage others, both strong and weak? If so, why change? 3. If the traditions are hindrances to some, why would we resist a change? H. Far too many divisions have taken place in the Lord's Body over such traditions: a tragedy indeed! VI. Conclusion A. Thus we have considered tradition: things delivered, handed down B. Divine tradition as found in Scripture must be followed, delivered in turn! C. We must consider what is best in regards to human traditions 1. Whatever would contradict God's Word must be rejected 2. It must never be bound as if it were as God's Word 3. It must never ossify to the point of rote ritual or rendering the church a cultural artifact of the past 4. If they help us serve God and provide benefit to all, no need to change 5. Change must not be done to alienate some 6. Nevertheless, change should not be resisted when necessary or beneficial D. Let us stand firm in the divine traditions and do all things to serve God and glorify Him! E. Invitation/songbook Scripture, Meditation, and Application 1: I praise you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions just as I passed them on to you (1 Corinthians 11:2). Traditions prove quite contentious in Christianity. A tradition is something handed down. The Apostles commended Christians for maintaining many of the things which the Apostles handed down to them. Thus, Christians do well to uphold many of the traditions regarding Jesus and His Kingdom which have been handed down to them. How should we uphold various traditions? 2: But we command you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from any brother who lives an undisciplined life and not according to the tradition they received from us (2 Thessalonians 3:6). Much is made in certain aspects of "Christendom" regarding "apostolic tradition." The actual traditions from the Apostles, including the Gospel message, their witness of the resurrection, the observation of baptism and the Lord's Supper, and their examples in faithfulness to Christ should be maintained and honored. That which is claimed to be "apostolic" but was added later should be viewed with much greater skepticism. How can we ascertain what traditions are "apostolic" and which ones are not? 3: He answered them, "And why do you disobey the commandment of God because of your tradition?" (Matthew 15:3). Part of the "apostolic tradition" regarding Jesus involves Jesus' own condemnation of the Pharisees for elevating their traditions above what God had made known. Many religious people, with the best of intentions, formulate doctrines and practices which go beyond what God has made known. Sometimes they do not pose much difficulty. Other times they hinder people from actually fulfilling God's commandments. We should view such traditions skeptically. How can we avoid disobeying God's commandments because of traditions? 4: Be careful not to allow anyone to captivate you through an empty, deceitful philosophy that is according to human traditions and the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ (Colossians 2:8). Societies and cultures are defined by their traditions which they have received from previous generations. No tradition is intrinsically good or bad because it has existed for some time or has been handed down from one's ancestors. Some prove consistent with what God has made known in Christ and should be affirmed; others conflict with God's revelation in Christ and should be resisted. What ought to matter is what is true in God in Christ. How can we remained rooted and grounded in Christ?