Following Tradition
by Mark Drzycimski
Jul 12, 2005
The argument that Catholic (and other denominational) “traditions” are God-ordained usually points to verses in the NT that say something like:
I praise you for remembering me in everything and for holding to the traditions…
But, looking more closely at the context:
Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. I praise you for remembering me in everything and for holding to the traditions, just as I passed them on to you.
Category:
Tuppence for "Following Tradition"
Indeed! I love Matthew chapter fifteen on this issue: When the Pharisees accuse Jesus, "Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders?" Jesus retorts, "And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?"
[F]or the sake of your tradition you have made void the word of God. You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said: "This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men."
The trend is for established tradition not just to be the same as the command of God but actually to be at odds with it! And like Revelations says, don't take anything away from God's book and don't add anything to it! God doesn't look kindly on people putting words in his mouth!
— Travis Carden Jul 13, 06:56 PM #