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.
At my old church the pastor used to say from the pulpit nearly each week, “For you visitors, don’t be alarmed, this is not what we usually do.” It became a running joke, but it really showed how he liked to mix things up from week to week. One of the interesting things that he did was to regularly rearrange the seat layout. Sounds like a minor thing, but it definitely shook things up.
I’m sure it did Daniel. I said something about doing that. In our situation it would be harder due to our layout.
Awesome post, Bill. So often rituals become more important than the true teaching of God’s word. We so easily forget that it’s a matter of the heart.
Not that I’m knocking alter calls, but I know many folks who won’t go to a church that doesn’t have one… they don’t even smile when I ask them to show me that in the Bible… then again you already know that sarcasm is one of my weaknesses… Ahhh, it’s good to be forgiven! (having fun here!)
You sum it up well Floyd. I’m similar in thinking as you with the altar calls. Since when???? And you, sarcastic? Say it ain’t so!
The Bible just isn’t preached enough. Here are a couple favs that seem to have been forgotten.
I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself, or should I ask the police to do it?
I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?
My off-the-cuff answer is that is the Old Testament and we aren’t under that Law anymore. As for the latter one-upon further study-often poor families would “sell” their daughter to a rich man because she would be better off. If we were to follow the OT, we would also forgive all debts at the 7th year.
I don’t pretend to follow any of it. But if I did I would think I would follow all of it. Obviously much of it isn’t worth following.
And Bill I doubt there was ever a rich man that didn’t always make sure that the God ordained purchase wasn’t better off for the girl. That seems like a funny God to me.
many times the purchase was not God-ordained but for the betterment of the father or (so he thinks) his daughter.
You have no idea or no facts on any of the daughter trading transactions that occurred. You simply make up a story to say it was for the betterment of the daughter or the betterment of the father. But what it was, and what your God had no problem with was the selling of sex slaves. Your God not mine.
A Jewish historian named Alfred Edersheim does in fact mention that, as does Matthew Henry. Underlying it all is the treatment of those maidservants with dignity and respect.
I grew up in a church whose motto appeared to be “That’s the way we’ve always done it.” When I got married and moved to another town, I transferred to another church (same denomination), and that quote was actually said in a board meeting. I don’t attend that denomination anymore.
Smart move.
A very pertinent point you’ve raised, Bill. It certainly made me sit up and take notice today.
Blessings!
Thanks Martha. Every once in awhile I like to do that. 🙂
It’s odd that Christ called the Jewish leadership to the carpet for their overbearing laws and traditions that no one could live up to. And now, the church for which Christ died, seems to be doing the same thing with all it’s “traditions”, preferences, and dos and don’ts.
What is it about us humans? …
That totally confuses me also David. And you ask a good question. Why do we think we know better or are oblivious to the truth?
I’ve been guilty of it and observed it way too much. I remember when women couldn’t wear pants to church.
It was scandalous. In some places it still is. Sad.
What if communion itself the way it’s typically practiced is a tradition not based in scripture?
I have no doubt it is not practiced the way it was in the NT. They did not have a time frame. 🙂