The dictionary definition of tradition is 'an inherited, established, or customary pattern of thought of thought or action; a belief or custom thus handed down.'
Not all traditions are bad or wrong. Many traditions are accepted by human society. Some traditions are even applauded.
Christmas carols are sung as part of the Christmas tradition. The College football season is promoted and perceived by many as 'a proud tradition'. Shortly before these football games, the traditional anthem 'The Star-Spangled Banner' is sung or played (although frequently with non-traditional instruments and vocals). Thanksgiving Day---and the gluttony that goes along with it-- is cheerfully accepted as a holiday tradition (unless one is involved in the post-meal cleanup).
According to the Bible, some traditions are good. Some traditions are actually binding upon the people of Jesus Christ.
1 Cor.11:2- Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you. (NKJV)
2 Thess.2:15- Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.
2 Thess. 3:6- But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us.
Bible scholar A.T. Robertson commented: "Paul draws here no distinction between oral tradition and written tradition as was done later. The worth of the tradition lies not in the form but in the source and the quality of the content."
Before his epistles were officially received as authoritative for the entire church, Paul encouraged Christians and congregations to 'keep the traditions'.
In terms of Christian spirituality, "Traditions are the living faith of those now dead; Traditionalism is the dead faith of those now living." ---Alexander Solzhenitsyn.
There is a huge difference between traditions originating from within or among people, and traditions originating from the Will of the Sovereign God. In other words, traditions constructed by human societies are less important than traditions prescribed by the Word of God.
Granted, there is disagreement concerning whether some Biblical traditions such as footwashing (John 13:2-17; 1 Tim.5:10) are timeless and should, therefore, be followed by all Christians in our era.
Other traditions are without any basis whatsoever in Scripture. The Roman Catholic practice of 'crossing oneself' is not mentioned in the Word of God. Neither is the office of Pope presented in the Bible. In point of spiritual fact, the Lord Jesus Christ is our only Mediator between us and God (1 Tim.2:5; Heb.9). Jesus and the apostles had some harsh words for those who elevated uninspired human traditions to the same level as the inspired Word of God (Mark 7:1-13; Gal.1:11-24; Col.2:8; 1 Pet.1:18-19).
But- Should we Protestants be arrogant about Roman Catholic practices, we need to address certain cherished traditions that, while not directly condemned by the Word of God, are not commanded, either. We need to distinguish between those traditions that are prescribed by the Word of God and those that are merely permissible.
For example, corporate worship is Biblical. Throughout the Psalms and the New Testament, we read of God's people worshiping together, in community. Acts 2:42-47 leaves no doubt that the people of Christ are to worship together and fellowship with one another.
Yet, we encounter no mention of church steeples or pulpits in the New Testament. Steeples and pulpits are traditions which do no harm to the people of God or the Gospel of Christ. The fact remains, though, that 'steeples and pulpits' are not commanded by the Word of God.
A specific, authoritative style or form of Church music is not clearly established in Scripture. We have no sheet music embedded in the Word of God. It needs to be noted, however, that the practice of using a particular musical style 'to pull people into the church' is a comparatively recent tradition absent from the pages of the Bible.
The exchanging of rings during a wedding ceremony is another tradition absent from the pages of Scripture. If a man wants to wear a wedding ring, that's fine; I wear my wedding ring constantly. But, the wearing of a traditional wedding ring is far less important than the Biblical precept of a Christian husband loving his wife daily in a powerful and self-sacrificing way (see Eph.5:25).
We should focus upon those traditions rooted in Scripture and clearly presented as timeless for the people of Jesus Christ.
In 1 Cor.11:17-34, after he ordered the Corinthians 'to keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you', Paul spoke at length about the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, or Communion. 1 Cor.11:26 says: "Whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes." Christians may disagree about how often to observe the Lord's Supper, but there is no doubt from Scripture that this Supper is to be done until the return of Jesus Christ.
An honest and devoted prayer life is Biblical (see Matt.6:5-8; Eph.6:18; 1 Thess.5:17).
Serving other human beings for the sake of Christ is an ongoing Biblical tradition (Gal.6:9-10).
The resolve to work hard is Biblical. After the warning given in 2 Thess.3:6 to "withdraw from those who walk not according to the tradition which he received from us", Paul spoke of the importance of hard work (v.7-10). Committed, thorough work is a Biblical tradition (see Eph.6:5-8; Col.3:22-24).
In a human sense, Biblical traditions have been passed down from generation to generation. The people of God are to present the truths of God to their children (Deut.6:5-9; Ps.44:1; 78:1-7). The truths of God should be entrusted to reliable servants qualified to teach others (2 Tim.2:2; Tit.2:1-2). It is vital for all Christians to contend for the faith once delivered to the saints. (Jude 3). We have a responsibility.
Even so, the Triune God is with us. Read and study John 14:22-27; 15:26-27; 16:7-15; Luke 24:45-49 along with Mark 16:19-20; Acts 1:8; 4:1-12,23-31; 6:8-10; 16:6-15; 28:23-31. The Holy Spirit of God directs, empowers and preserves the people of Christ throughout the ages. God the Father will never leave nor forsake those belonging to His Son (Heb.13:5). The Son Himself told His disciples "I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (Matt.28:20).
A portion of the Hymn "Onward, Christian Soldiers" affirms this truth:
"Crowns and thrones may perish, Kingdoms rise and wane
But the Church of Jesus Constant will remain
Gates of hell can never 'gainst that Church prevail
We have Christ's own promise And that cannot fail."
Not all traditions are bad or wrong. Many traditions are accepted by human society. Some traditions are even applauded.
Christmas carols are sung as part of the Christmas tradition. The College football season is promoted and perceived by many as 'a proud tradition'. Shortly before these football games, the traditional anthem 'The Star-Spangled Banner' is sung or played (although frequently with non-traditional instruments and vocals). Thanksgiving Day---and the gluttony that goes along with it-- is cheerfully accepted as a holiday tradition (unless one is involved in the post-meal cleanup).
According to the Bible, some traditions are good. Some traditions are actually binding upon the people of Jesus Christ.
1 Cor.11:2- Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you. (NKJV)
2 Thess.2:15- Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.
2 Thess. 3:6- But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us.
Bible scholar A.T. Robertson commented: "Paul draws here no distinction between oral tradition and written tradition as was done later. The worth of the tradition lies not in the form but in the source and the quality of the content."
Before his epistles were officially received as authoritative for the entire church, Paul encouraged Christians and congregations to 'keep the traditions'.
In terms of Christian spirituality, "Traditions are the living faith of those now dead; Traditionalism is the dead faith of those now living." ---Alexander Solzhenitsyn.
There is a huge difference between traditions originating from within or among people, and traditions originating from the Will of the Sovereign God. In other words, traditions constructed by human societies are less important than traditions prescribed by the Word of God.
Granted, there is disagreement concerning whether some Biblical traditions such as footwashing (John 13:2-17; 1 Tim.5:10) are timeless and should, therefore, be followed by all Christians in our era.
Other traditions are without any basis whatsoever in Scripture. The Roman Catholic practice of 'crossing oneself' is not mentioned in the Word of God. Neither is the office of Pope presented in the Bible. In point of spiritual fact, the Lord Jesus Christ is our only Mediator between us and God (1 Tim.2:5; Heb.9). Jesus and the apostles had some harsh words for those who elevated uninspired human traditions to the same level as the inspired Word of God (Mark 7:1-13; Gal.1:11-24; Col.2:8; 1 Pet.1:18-19).
But- Should we Protestants be arrogant about Roman Catholic practices, we need to address certain cherished traditions that, while not directly condemned by the Word of God, are not commanded, either. We need to distinguish between those traditions that are prescribed by the Word of God and those that are merely permissible.
For example, corporate worship is Biblical. Throughout the Psalms and the New Testament, we read of God's people worshiping together, in community. Acts 2:42-47 leaves no doubt that the people of Christ are to worship together and fellowship with one another.
Yet, we encounter no mention of church steeples or pulpits in the New Testament. Steeples and pulpits are traditions which do no harm to the people of God or the Gospel of Christ. The fact remains, though, that 'steeples and pulpits' are not commanded by the Word of God.
A specific, authoritative style or form of Church music is not clearly established in Scripture. We have no sheet music embedded in the Word of God. It needs to be noted, however, that the practice of using a particular musical style 'to pull people into the church' is a comparatively recent tradition absent from the pages of the Bible.
The exchanging of rings during a wedding ceremony is another tradition absent from the pages of Scripture. If a man wants to wear a wedding ring, that's fine; I wear my wedding ring constantly. But, the wearing of a traditional wedding ring is far less important than the Biblical precept of a Christian husband loving his wife daily in a powerful and self-sacrificing way (see Eph.5:25).
We should focus upon those traditions rooted in Scripture and clearly presented as timeless for the people of Jesus Christ.
In 1 Cor.11:17-34, after he ordered the Corinthians 'to keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you', Paul spoke at length about the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, or Communion. 1 Cor.11:26 says: "Whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes." Christians may disagree about how often to observe the Lord's Supper, but there is no doubt from Scripture that this Supper is to be done until the return of Jesus Christ.
An honest and devoted prayer life is Biblical (see Matt.6:5-8; Eph.6:18; 1 Thess.5:17).
Serving other human beings for the sake of Christ is an ongoing Biblical tradition (Gal.6:9-10).
The resolve to work hard is Biblical. After the warning given in 2 Thess.3:6 to "withdraw from those who walk not according to the tradition which he received from us", Paul spoke of the importance of hard work (v.7-10). Committed, thorough work is a Biblical tradition (see Eph.6:5-8; Col.3:22-24).
In a human sense, Biblical traditions have been passed down from generation to generation. The people of God are to present the truths of God to their children (Deut.6:5-9; Ps.44:1; 78:1-7). The truths of God should be entrusted to reliable servants qualified to teach others (2 Tim.2:2; Tit.2:1-2). It is vital for all Christians to contend for the faith once delivered to the saints. (Jude 3). We have a responsibility.
Even so, the Triune God is with us. Read and study John 14:22-27; 15:26-27; 16:7-15; Luke 24:45-49 along with Mark 16:19-20; Acts 1:8; 4:1-12,23-31; 6:8-10; 16:6-15; 28:23-31. The Holy Spirit of God directs, empowers and preserves the people of Christ throughout the ages. God the Father will never leave nor forsake those belonging to His Son (Heb.13:5). The Son Himself told His disciples "I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (Matt.28:20).
A portion of the Hymn "Onward, Christian Soldiers" affirms this truth:
"Crowns and thrones may perish, Kingdoms rise and wane
But the Church of Jesus Constant will remain
Gates of hell can never 'gainst that Church prevail
We have Christ's own promise And that cannot fail."