Viewpoints

Tradition plays such a huge role in our lives. It impacts much of what we do or don't do. Nowhere is the force of tradition more apparent than in religious practice and observance. But, is it a good thing?

The word "tradition" has been defined as a belief or custom handed down from ancestors to posterity. The most common ecclesiastial usage of the word is that it is the teaching or practice of the church which has been held to for centuries.

While opinions differ on the relationship of tradition to scripture, it is commonly agreed that the biblical story itself attests to the importance of tradition. Old Testament narratives reflect the value of tradition by repeating stories of God's faithfulness from generation to generation (Deut. 6: 1-25, Ps.145:4, Ps. 105) The New Testament canon also points to the need to affirm tradition within the church (2 Thes. 2:15; 3:6, 2 Tim. 2:2, 1 Cor. 11:2)

But, sometimes we mistake "policy" or "practice" for "tradition". To illustrate: Erect an animal cage and, at one end of it, install a set of stairs leading up to a banana that hangs suspended on a string tied to the top of the cage. Now, place five chimpanzees in the cage.

Once they are oriented to their new surroundings and have settled in a bit, Chimp #1 notices the hanging banana. He happily approaches to ascend the steps and claim a prize for himself. When his feet touch the first step you immediately douse the other 4 chimps with ice cold water until they are soaked to the skin! As Chimp #1 eats his banana, the other 4 chimps scream in shock and shiver from the cold.

Next, you remove one of the 4 chimps and replace him with a new one who is completely ignorant of what has gone before and hang a new banana.

As Chimp #1 approaches the steps to get another banana, the other 4 chimps leap upon him, raining blows down on him ceaselessly until he retreats from the steps. The new chimp joins enthusiastically in the assault on Chimp #1 although he has no idea why.

Now, replace another chimp and repeat the process. This new chimp also joins in on beating the chimp who approaches the steps though he also doesn't know why. Keep replacing the chimps, one by one, until none of the original 5 remain. None of them have ever been doused with ice-cold water but none of them will approach the steps. And all of them stand ready to beat senseless any one who would.

None of them will approach the steps. It's fobidden. All of them will violently defend the forbidden ground. If we could speak to them, and they to us, one could ask them why they behave in this way. They would answer, "Because this is the way we've always done it. It's tradition."

This illustration shows how a policy is born and not a tradition. Tradition, above all, is to be held as an act of remembering. They should uphold the value historical teaching as a way of reminding the church of its apostolic and scriptural heritage. Policy relates to how, when and what form an event takes place. Tradition that is good and true relates more to the reason we perform an act or service, linking us to a verifiable history and heritage, than to the service itself. Once a tradition becomes centered on itself, it becomes a ritualized practice that has outlived its usefulness.

At the same time, it should be pointed out that that the gospel of Jesus Christ will never be bounded by traditions or policies. The gospel has itself is dynamic and provokes new interpretations of existing tradition as the light of the Holy Spirit is shed more completely on it. From the beginning, the apostle Paul proclaimed that the gospel breaks through the restrictive bonds of tradition as it was then known (Gal. 3:23-25). The Lord Jesus Himself taught that the traditions of men should never supplant the commandments of God (Matt. 15:1-9).

Am I suggesting that we rid ourselves of traditions? Certainly not! I am merely suggesting that we take a good look at what we call tradition. Look closely at ourselves, our families, our church. It is an interesting consideration. Are we mistaking policy for tradition? Do our traditions cause us to remember the reasons that the gospel's grace has been shed upon us? Or, do they obscure or conflict with that grace? We might need to redefine some tradtions. We may institute new ones. As uncomfortable as it may seem, it can be, at the same time, a good thing. For the gospel is a living, moving message, hastening us toward the kingdom of Christ. With it's light and power, and by the grace of Christ, we can hold traditions that cause us to remember the reasons we embrace this message and will let us move along with it.

--Joe Funari

Roy's Reflections

There is a very real sense in which we cannot grow spiritually in isolation. You can study, have devotions, and grow to a certain extent on your own -and you should - but there are many, many things you need to do corporately if you are to "have the full riches of complete understanding." If you attempt discernment of God's word completely on your own, then you will be limited in your understanding. If, on the other hand, you search the Scriptures in the fellowship of others, the discoveries they have made can benefit you, and your discoveries can benefit them. You'll begin to knock the rough edges off each other and encourage each other.

One of my favorite times of the week is Tuesday morning. We gather in the morning as a bible study group to not only study the Scriptures but also to discuss our spiritual questions, as well as problems we may be having in our Christian walk and to pray for one another.

You know why it's one of my favorite times? It's because I know that the more I know, the more I know that I don't know. I'm so grateful for the gifted, godly men and women that God has gathered around me. We knock the corners off each other. We make some great scriptural analysis, and at times the others may break into laughter at someone's remarks. What an encouragement that can be. We are united in love in order that we might come to a full understanding.

How does this work for you? You need a spiritual environment in which you can relate to others. There is so much of God to know. There is so much in me to be changed. There is so much in the world to do. If I'm satisfied with knowing God minimally, allowing minimal change in my life, and making minimal impact on my world, then I am a living testimonial to my own shallowness. But if I begin to think in terms of being united in love with others to have a fuller understanding of things, then I will make it a priority to be involved in the church.

Do you want to grow spiritually? Do you want to become more and more like our Lord Jesus? Do you want the strength of character, depth of understanding, and gladness of spirit that only come with maturing faith? Then make sure you're in a church environment where you are growing in unity with others.

God isn't looking for Lone Ranger Christians. The Christian who tries to go it alone would seem more like a Lonely Ranger Christian to me. You don't need that, and neither do I. So let's get involved! I need you, and you need me. That's what the church is all about.

--Roy R. Boswell