Challenges Confronting The Church

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                  "CHALLENGES CONFRONTING THE CHURCH"

                              Traditionalism

INTRODUCTION

1. In previous lessons, we examined the challenges of...
   a. Denominationalism
   b. Sectarianism
   c. Factionalism

2. Another challenge that has a long history is traditionalism...
   a. Jesus often conflicted with traditions in His day
   b. Traditions have often been a major factor in causing division
      among churches

[What are traditions?  Are traditions always wrong?  If not, when does a
tradition become wrong?  How can we be guilty of traditionalism?  Let’s
begin with...]

I. THE MEANING OF TRADITION

   A. TRADITION...
      1. The Greek word is paradosis, which means "giving over" or
         "handing down"
      2. It refers to teaching that is handed down either by word
         (orally) or in writing

   B. AS UNDERSTOOD BY THE JEWS...
      1. It applied to the oral teachings of the elders (distinguished
         elders from Moses on down)
      2. These traditions were often divided into three classes...
         a. Oral laws supposedly given by Moses in addition to the
            written laws
         b. Decisions of various judges which became precedents in
            judicial matters
         c. Interpretations of highly respected rabbis held in reverence
            along with the OT scriptures
         -- Article on "Tradition", ISBE
      3. Prior to his conversion, Paul was a staunch supporter of Jewish
         tradition - Ga 1:13-14

   C. AS UNDERSTOOD BY ROMAN AND GREEK CATHOLICS...
      1. Their views appear to be parallel to that of the Jews
      2. What they consider "Tradition" is what they believe to be the
         teachings:
         a. Of Jesus or His apostles, persevered orally rather than
            through writing
         b. Of various church councils which have left various decrees
         c. Of various church leaders (such as the pope) considered to
            be inspired with later
            revelations from God
      3. One is expected to take their word for it that these
         "traditions" were truly from God and have been faithfully
         transmitted

   D. AS FOUND IN THE SCRIPTURES...
      1. The word "tradition" as such is not found in the Old Testament
      2. It is found thirteen (13) times in New Testament
         a. Three times referring to "apostolic teaching" - 1Co 11:2;
            2Th 2:15; 3:6
         b. Ten times referring to "the tradition of the elders" or "the
            traditions of men" in a dangerous way - Mk 7:3-13; Mt
            15:2-6; Col 2:8; 1Pe 1:18; Ga 1:14
      3. Jesus did not feel bound to abide by "the traditions of the
         elders"
         a. Some traditions He had no problem with keeping
            1) Such as going to a wedding feast - Jn 2:1-2
            2) Or attending the Feast Of Dedication - Jn 10:22-23
         b. He just as easily had no problem with violating other
            traditions
            1) Plucking grain on the Sabbath - Mk 2:23-28
            2) Eating with unwashed hands - Mk 7:1-5
      4. Jesus evidently did not subscribe to the view of "traditions"
         handed down orally
         a. He never appealed to the traditions of the elders
         b. He either appealed to the authority of the written Word (the
            Law of Moses), or to His own authority as the Son of God
      5. Note well:  We have seen that not all "traditions" are wrong
         a. If they are "handed down" by inspired men, they are to be
            heeded - 2Th 2:15
         b. If they are doctrines or interpretations handed down by
            uninspired men (like the traditions of the Jews) they are
            suspect
         c. But in some cases uninspired "traditions of men" might be
            observed

[So traditions of men can be dangerous, or they can be harmless.  How
can we distinguish between those that are dangerous and those that are
harmless?  In Mk 7:1-13, Jesus provides the answer...]

II. THE DANGER OF TRADITIONS OF MEN

   A. THEY CAN LEAD TO HYPOCRITICAL WORSHIP...
      1. Traditions of men tend toward ritualism (just look at the
         rituals found in many religions that have no scriptural
         basis)
      2. Such ritualism is often done repeatedly, with little thought as
         to its origin and purpose
      3. It is easy to go through such rituals, with the heart and mind
         on other things
      4. Worship without the heart (or mind) of man is hypocritical
         worship! - Mk 7:6

   B. THEY CAN LEAD TO VAIN WORSHIP...
      1. When traditions of men are taught on the same level as the
         commands of God, it leads to vain worship - Mk 7:7
      2. Such worship may appear to be impressive, but it in actually
         "empty, worthless"
         a. First, because God did not command it
         b. Second, because it does not accomplish the good we really
            need - cf. Col 2:18-23

   C. THEY CAN MAKE THE WORD OF GOD VOID...
      1. Jesus gave the example of honoring one’s parents - Mk 7:10-12
         a. The elders’ tradition taught giving to the temple freed one
            from giving to one’s parents
         b. Thus rendering the command of God of no effect
      2. There are traditions of men today with similar affect
         a. Such as the practice of sprinkling for baptism, a tradition
            of man
         b. When one keeps the tradition of sprinkling, they make the
            command of God to be baptized (immersed) of no effect!
      3. Through such traditions, one is actually rejecting the command
         of God! - Mk 7:8-9,13

[With this understanding of traditions and their dangers, let’s now
summarize...]

III. TRADITIONS AND TRADITIONALISM: A SUMMARY

   A. TRADITIONS...
      1. Traditions of God, handed down by Christ and His apostles
         through the Written Word, are necessary for our salvation!
      2. Traditions of men, handed down by uninspired men, are dangerous
         and sinful, when they:
         a. Lead to hypocritical worship
         b. Lead to vain worship
         c. Make the Word of God void
      3. Traditions of men can be harmless, but they become sinful if
         they:
         a. Are taught as doctrines (i.e., equivalent to the Word of
            God) - Mk 7:7
         b. Make the commandments of God of no effect (by their
            observance) - Mk 7:9,13

   B. TRADITIONALISM...
      1. Defined:  the systematic emphasis on the value of tradition
         - Wikipedia
      2. Exemplified by Jewish, Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, and
         Protestant religions
      3. But can also be manifested in churches of Christ
         a. Doing things a certain way, just because that is how it has
            always been done
         b. Binding practices without scriptural basis, because we’ve
            always done it that way

CONCLUSION

1. Traditionalism can be viewed as the abuse of tradition...
   a. Where traditions of men are bound, made equivalent to the
      traditions of God
   b. Where traditions of men are kept, even if it makes the commands of
      God of no effect

2. To avoid traditionalism, we need to be well grounded in the Word of
   God...
   a. By which we can examine any tradition being proposed as necessary
   b. Asking as Jesus did, "From heaven, or from men?" - cf. Mt 21:25
   c. Careful not to bind where God has not bound

So many of the differences and divisions between churches today are due
to traditionalism with its abuse of traditions.  Let’s be careful not to
allow traditionalism to keep us from working together in love and
unity...
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