I had totally planned on not posting tonight/today since I thought I would be in Indy with Tami (see previous post). But her plans changed so I had this on my mind and thought, “Why not?”
Question: how often do you think we preach/teach cultural (church) traditions as the norm and think it is biblical?
Answer: A ton!!!
Exaggeration? You may think so but I disagree.
When I read this stone in Randy’s book, my mind immediately flashed to a true story. I once heard of a college professor (of the school I attended) who took a mission trip to Russia. It came time for communion on Sunday and Russians use wine not grape juice. This professor refused to take part in communion because how “Wine should not be used at communion.” (I may have refused for another reason. As a total teetotaler I would have probably gotten drunk. Can you see those headlines: “Visiting pastor gets drunk”?) 🙂 🙂 The story, however, is true.
Question: how much of that was cultural/church tradition or biblical?
Randy makes an excellent point:
It is clear, and unfortunately so, that many beliefs, practices, and traditions in the Christian community are held to be valuable, not because there is anything inherent Biblical value in them, but simply because the former generation held them to be valuable. (p.33)
As much as I hate to say it…I can’t argue with that. We give these passed down traditions “godlike” status, as though God Himself passed them down from Sinai. It would be funny if not so sad. Consider how many things are passed down as biblical when they are nothing more than cultural/tradition: Clothing. Order of Service. Music (style, etc). Version of the Bible. Hair length.
Seems to me like we ought to be taking a good, long, hard look at what we preach/teach and ask, “Is this me or is this Biblical?” Wrestle with that for awhile.
This is an ongoing & random posting from 46 Stones.
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