Definition of "Traditions of Men"

[Rainaldo]

What are “traditions of men”? I know they’re “bad”, but what exactly is a “tradition of man”?

 

[bmullins]

Traditions of men are not bad. Traditions of men that violate the scripture are bad. Jesus did not condemn their traditions, he condemned the fact they had a tradition that allowed them to do evil in the name of God.

Specifically the Pharisees had a tradition to set aside their money for a tithe. They would set it aside before hand, kind of like having a separate bank account. So they would take 10% if that was how much they were giving and put it in this other account, so they didn’t spend it. The problem was they were neglecting their own mothers, widows and orphans. When a parent asked for the money because they were starving the religious man would say “I’m sorry, I can’t help you… this is God’s money.” That is what Jesus condemned.

[bibledrb]Matthew 15:3-9[/bibledrb]

Jesus was informing us that any tradition not based on the Word of God or that violated the Word of God were to be ignored, they do not hold the same weight. God’s Word always trumps over man’s traditions. That is why it is so important to follow the Tradition (notice the capital T) of the Apostles, which is the revealed word of God.

It is ok to have a tradition. My family has several that are completely acceptable. It is when the tradition tries to trump God’s word that we have a problem.

 

[maber43]

Please read these from St Paul’s writings on tradition.
2 Thess 3:6

2 Thess 2:15

1 Cor 11:2

 

[Ron_in_minden]

“Sola Scriptura”, “Sola Fide”. Contraception, abortion.

 

[TraditonRules]

Consider this;

… (Matt. 5:18); “It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the least stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law” (Luke 16:17); “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away” (Matt. 24:35). Jesus even asserted that greatness in heaven will be measured by obedience to Scripture (Matt. 5:19)…

 

[Rainaldo]

Jesus was informing us that any tradition not based on the Word of God or that violated the Word of God were to be ignored, they do not hold the same weight. God’s Word always trumps over man’s traditions.

Where do the traditions come from? Religious authorities? Are they considered “official”? Are people required to observe them even if they disagree? How is it possible to come up with a tradition that nullifies the word of God in the first place? Isn’t the contradiction obvious from the outset?

 

[dmelosi]

Where do the traditions come from? Religious authorities? Are they considered “official”? Are people required to observe them even if they disagree? How is it possible to come up with a tradition that nullifies the word of God in the first place? Isn’t the contradiction obvious from the outset?

What specifically are you getting at that you claim nullifies the word of God?

 

[Rainaldo]

What specifically are you getting at that you claim nullifies the word of God?

Stuff like what Jesus meant in Matthew 15:6.

 

[bmullins]

Where do the traditions come from? Religious authorities? Are they considered “official”? Are people required to observe them even if they disagree? How is it possible to come up with a tradition that nullifies the word of God in the first place? Isn’t the contradiction obvious from the outset?

I don’t believe I said anything about nullifying the word of God at all? Tradition of men are simply traditions. Anything we do over and over is a tradition. Some of us have traditions in the morning. I like to get up and wash my face with water, every single morning. That’s a tradition. There is nothing wrong with tradition.

It’s when we adopt a tradition that is contrary to God’s word (God’s word doesn’t change, our tradition is just wrong) that we must indeed change our tradition. God’s word comes first. Not our tradition. If our tradition contradicts God’s word, then our tradition is wrong.

Now do we have to observe traditions? Let’s ask Jesus himself.

[bibledrb]Matthew 23:2-3[/bibledrb]

Jesus tells us that we are to do what those in authority teach us, as long as it doesn’t result in hypocrisy. So we see perfectly that God establishes the authority. First he established it with the seat of Moses in the Old covenant. Then he gave the seat of Peter in the new covenant. According to Jesus, yes we are required to obey as long as they do not create a tradition that is against God’s word.