FREEDOM FILES
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1, NIV).
ISSUE #4
The United States of America has some great traditions. One of my favorites is watching a good fireworks display on the 4th of July. What about Monday Night Football, Sunday afternoon naps, and Saturday morning cartoons? These are all things I enjoyed growing up or still enjoy as an adult. All countries and cultures have traditions. All religions have traditions. Traditions, like many things in our lives, are neither good, nor bad. It is what we do with them that make them either good or bad. Notice what some have said regarding tradition:
· “Tradition does not mean a dead town; it does not mean that the living are dead but that the dead are alive. It means that it still matters what Penn did two hundred years ago or what Franklin did a hundred years ago; I never could feel in New York that it mattered what anybody did an hour ago” (G.K. Chesterton, What I Saw in America).
· “Just because something is traditional is no reason to do it, of course” (Lemony Snicket, The Blank Book).
· “Tradition becomes our security, and when the mind is secure it is in decay” (Jiddu Krishnamurti).
· “It is a fine thing to establish one’s own religion in one’s heart, not to be dependent on tradition and second-hand ideals. Life will seem to you, later, not a lesser, but a greater thing” (D.H. Lawrence).
· “Tradition:' one of those words conservative people use as a shortcut to thinking” (Warren Ellis, Transmetropolitan, Vol. 4: The New Scum).
· “The less there is to justify a traditional custom, the harder it is to get rid of it” (Mark Twain, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer).
· “Tradition is a guide and not a jailer” (W. Somerset Maugham).
As seen in these quotes, some see tradition in a positive light, while others see tradition in a negative light. As stated earlier, I see it as neither … and both. The following quote sums it up best for me: “Tradition is the living faith of the dead, traditionalism is the dead faith of the living. And, I suppose I should add, it is traditionalism that gives tradition such a bad name.” (Jaroslav Pelikan, The Vindication of Tradition: The 1983 Jefferson Lecture in the Humanities)
I believe Mr. Pelikan has expressed it quite well. Tradition keeps things alive. Events and people are remembered because of tradition. Traditions keep their value in our memories. But when we add the letters “ism” to the word “traditional”, tradition becomes our religion.
As a follower of Christ I believe I must ask myself on a daily basis, “Am I living a life of faith or am I living a life of traditionalism?” This question is important if I am to experience freedom in Christ. In fact, Jesus himself had some things to say about tradition and how it relates to faith.
The Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, “Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with defiled hands” (Mark 7:5)? I find it interesting that Jesus is asked why his disciples don’t follow the traditions. Why not ask why they don’t follow the law? The answer is simple. The question was not about the “tradition of the elders” as much as it was about the “traditionalism” of the Pharisees and teachers of the law. We see this in Jesus’ response to their question. Jesus replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’ You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions” (Mark 7:6-8). Jesus did not say that their tradition was wrong or sinful. He did not condemn them for practicing their traditions. The problem was not the traditions, but the traditionalism. They had traded in the commands of God for human traditions. Jesus goes on and tells them, “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions” (Mark 7:9). It is natural to stand in the bleachers cheering Jesus on as he straightens out “the other guy”, instead of looking at what we can learn from this encounter.
When we blame, rather than comfort, we practice “traditionalism” (Matthew 5:4).
When we are religiously arrogant, rather than meek, we practice “traditionalism” (Matthew 5:5).
When we emphasize being right over being righteous, we practice “traditionalism” (Matthew 5:6).
When we dish out justice, rather than showing mercy, we practice “traditionalism” (Matthew 5:7).
When we act from a hard heart, instead of a pure heart, we practice “traditionalism” (Matthew 5:8).
When we see differences that divide us, rather than finding peace in the joy of Christ that unites us, we practice “traditionalism” (Matthew 5:9).
Jesus did not condemn tradition. In fact, Jesus practiced tradition. It was his custom (or tradition) to go to the synagogue on the Sabbath. He honored and participated in the Jewish traditional ceremonies and festivals. The warning that comes from Jesus for us today is to not let tradition take the place of a relationship with him. When that happens, our religion becomes “traditionalism” and we lose the unity of the faith that Jesus calls us to in John 17.
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Responses from Readers
From a Reader in New Mexico:
Don,
I checked out your blog site. Well done!! I like it, and will certainly let my readers know about it.
I would like to return the favor and encourage my readers to check out Reflections. My friend, brother, and former co-worker will encourage you and cause you to think as you study his insightful articles on Scripture, spiritual topics, and spiritual people. You can read it all at: www.zianet.com/maxey/Reflect2.htm
-- Don
From a Reader in (Unknown):
Please add me to your mailing list.
From a Reader in Alabama:
Please subscribe me to your Freedom Files blog .
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If you would like to be added to or removed from this mailing list, contact me at [email protected] and I will immediately comply with your request. Previous issues can be read at www.freedomfiles.weebly.com. If you are challenged by these newsletters, then feel free to send them on to others and encourage them to write for a free subscription. I would also welcome any questions or comments from the readers.
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1, NIV).
ISSUE #4
The United States of America has some great traditions. One of my favorites is watching a good fireworks display on the 4th of July. What about Monday Night Football, Sunday afternoon naps, and Saturday morning cartoons? These are all things I enjoyed growing up or still enjoy as an adult. All countries and cultures have traditions. All religions have traditions. Traditions, like many things in our lives, are neither good, nor bad. It is what we do with them that make them either good or bad. Notice what some have said regarding tradition:
· “Tradition does not mean a dead town; it does not mean that the living are dead but that the dead are alive. It means that it still matters what Penn did two hundred years ago or what Franklin did a hundred years ago; I never could feel in New York that it mattered what anybody did an hour ago” (G.K. Chesterton, What I Saw in America).
· “Just because something is traditional is no reason to do it, of course” (Lemony Snicket, The Blank Book).
· “Tradition becomes our security, and when the mind is secure it is in decay” (Jiddu Krishnamurti).
· “It is a fine thing to establish one’s own religion in one’s heart, not to be dependent on tradition and second-hand ideals. Life will seem to you, later, not a lesser, but a greater thing” (D.H. Lawrence).
· “Tradition:' one of those words conservative people use as a shortcut to thinking” (Warren Ellis, Transmetropolitan, Vol. 4: The New Scum).
· “The less there is to justify a traditional custom, the harder it is to get rid of it” (Mark Twain, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer).
· “Tradition is a guide and not a jailer” (W. Somerset Maugham).
As seen in these quotes, some see tradition in a positive light, while others see tradition in a negative light. As stated earlier, I see it as neither … and both. The following quote sums it up best for me: “Tradition is the living faith of the dead, traditionalism is the dead faith of the living. And, I suppose I should add, it is traditionalism that gives tradition such a bad name.” (Jaroslav Pelikan, The Vindication of Tradition: The 1983 Jefferson Lecture in the Humanities)
I believe Mr. Pelikan has expressed it quite well. Tradition keeps things alive. Events and people are remembered because of tradition. Traditions keep their value in our memories. But when we add the letters “ism” to the word “traditional”, tradition becomes our religion.
As a follower of Christ I believe I must ask myself on a daily basis, “Am I living a life of faith or am I living a life of traditionalism?” This question is important if I am to experience freedom in Christ. In fact, Jesus himself had some things to say about tradition and how it relates to faith.
The Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, “Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with defiled hands” (Mark 7:5)? I find it interesting that Jesus is asked why his disciples don’t follow the traditions. Why not ask why they don’t follow the law? The answer is simple. The question was not about the “tradition of the elders” as much as it was about the “traditionalism” of the Pharisees and teachers of the law. We see this in Jesus’ response to their question. Jesus replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’ You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions” (Mark 7:6-8). Jesus did not say that their tradition was wrong or sinful. He did not condemn them for practicing their traditions. The problem was not the traditions, but the traditionalism. They had traded in the commands of God for human traditions. Jesus goes on and tells them, “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions” (Mark 7:9). It is natural to stand in the bleachers cheering Jesus on as he straightens out “the other guy”, instead of looking at what we can learn from this encounter.
When we blame, rather than comfort, we practice “traditionalism” (Matthew 5:4).
When we are religiously arrogant, rather than meek, we practice “traditionalism” (Matthew 5:5).
When we emphasize being right over being righteous, we practice “traditionalism” (Matthew 5:6).
When we dish out justice, rather than showing mercy, we practice “traditionalism” (Matthew 5:7).
When we act from a hard heart, instead of a pure heart, we practice “traditionalism” (Matthew 5:8).
When we see differences that divide us, rather than finding peace in the joy of Christ that unites us, we practice “traditionalism” (Matthew 5:9).
Jesus did not condemn tradition. In fact, Jesus practiced tradition. It was his custom (or tradition) to go to the synagogue on the Sabbath. He honored and participated in the Jewish traditional ceremonies and festivals. The warning that comes from Jesus for us today is to not let tradition take the place of a relationship with him. When that happens, our religion becomes “traditionalism” and we lose the unity of the faith that Jesus calls us to in John 17.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Responses from Readers
From a Reader in New Mexico:
Don,
I checked out your blog site. Well done!! I like it, and will certainly let my readers know about it.
I would like to return the favor and encourage my readers to check out Reflections. My friend, brother, and former co-worker will encourage you and cause you to think as you study his insightful articles on Scripture, spiritual topics, and spiritual people. You can read it all at: www.zianet.com/maxey/Reflect2.htm
-- Don
From a Reader in (Unknown):
Please add me to your mailing list.
From a Reader in Alabama:
Please subscribe me to your Freedom Files blog .
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
If you would like to be added to or removed from this mailing list, contact me at [email protected] and I will immediately comply with your request. Previous issues can be read at www.freedomfiles.weebly.com. If you are challenged by these newsletters, then feel free to send them on to others and encourage them to write for a free subscription. I would also welcome any questions or comments from the readers.