The Encourager
“Distinguishing Between Traditions and Commandments - Jeff Curtis”
Distinguishing Between Traditions and Commandments
By Jeff Curtis
More and more, the word “traditional” is applied to anything that has been around for a while – with the implication that it is old and outdated, it is of little or no importance, and can be cast aside with impunity. For instance, the phrase “the traditional family” (that is, a family consisting of a father, a mother, and their children) has recently been used in a derogatory fashion. “The traditional family” is under attack by those who advocate for “same-sex marriages” and other deviations from God’s Word (such as “living together” arrangements vs. getting married). However, the arrangement of the “traditional family” is from God and has been around since the early chapters of Genesis. To those who believe the Bible, the important question is not “How long has this arrangement been in existence?” by rather “Is it from heaven or from men?” (Matt.21:25).
It is bothersome to hear of faithful congregations of the Lord’s church despairingly referred to as “traditional churches,” and what they believe and practice dismissed as “the traditional position.” Those who apply these labels tend to brand everything these churches do as “traditional” – making little distinction between what they do as a matter of faith and what is done as a matter of judgment.
Lectures sometimes lump together every issue that has plagued the church in the past, indicating that all were just matters of opinion and of no significance. Looking back, some of the conflicts seemed unnecessary, but is it fair to dismiss every question with which the church has struggled? How would the inspired writers have reacted if Christians had so minimized the issues of Judaism and Gnosticism that threatened the early church?
Let’s agree on this. A man-made tradition is bad when it is bound on others. Let’s also agree that we should not automatically classify any belief or practice as “traditional” simply because we think it creaks with age.
We noticed earlier that the crucial question regards how to distinguish between the commands of God and the traditions of men. You know the answer to that question, and it’s already been hinted at several times; everything we believe, teach and do must be scrutinized in light of the what the Scriptures teach. The question isn’t “How have we always done it?” The question is certainly not “How would we like to do it?” The question of “What does God teach in His revealed Word?” (Acts 17:11). Let’s borrow Jesus’ phraseology (Matt.21:25); if a doctrine or practice is “from heaven,” it is bound upon every Christian, if it’s “from men,” we must not be guilty of binding it on others.
In giving this answer, have we settled every dispute regarding what is “traditional” and what is not? Have we answered every question that can be asked? No and no. The purpose has been to plead with Christians to avoid extremes. Let’s not condemn others for not keeping our traditions, as cherished as they may be. At the same time, let’s never dismiss a religious teaching or practice as “traditional” just because it’s been around quite a while. After all, the New Testament has been in existence for centuries. Let us determine to make the teachings of God’s Word our standard for accepting or rejecting any religious teaching or practice.
Long ago, Joshua gave the people of God this message from Him: “Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law of Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or the left, so that you may have success wherever you go” (Josh.1:7). We might think of turning “to the right” as binding that which God has not bound (man-made traditions) and turning “to the left” as loosing what God has bound (His revealed will). Let us set our hearts to avoid either extreme. Let’s determine to “do according to all” the teaching of the New Testament of Jesus.
We could close on that thought – but Christ wasn’t finished with His discussion. He had at least one more point to make regarding human traditions. This truth isn’t as clear but still important. It requires as much soul-searching as the previous two criteria – perhaps even more.
