Part 5 — Developing A Biblical View of Tradition

Tradition in and of itself is not wrong, as long as it does not violate or compromise the scriptures. Yeshua never spoke against tradition, only when they transgressed the commandments of God because of their traditions.

There are basically three ways that people view tradition:

1. The strong Traditionalist - those who live for tradition.
They tend to be very conservative and legalistic. They are very religious and have strong views and opinions on issues to the point of unbending. We have all met those kind of people. If it was good enough for my mother and father and grandparents, it is good enough for my children too. They don't question why they believe what they do. They have such a strong view of tradition, that when challenged, can become very emotional, angry and even hostile.

2. The Anti-traditionalist - those who are opposed to any kind of form of tradition.
They are almost proud of the fact that they walk in liberty and freedom. I am not bound to anything. They equate tradition and even the law with bondage. As soon as they hear the word tradition or law, the lights start flashing, walls and barriers go up. I don't want any part of that "tradition". God has set us free from the law and we are no longer under it. It has been abolished. This is an unbalanced and extreme view of grace and law.

3. The Moderate traditionalist - one who is not extreme one way or the other.
He holds moderate opinions on tradition. He may hold to and observe some traditions and forms but he is not bound to them. He sees value in tradition but is willing to be flexible and open minded, yet not legalistic. There is a freedom yet an honoring of that which is good. This is a more balanced view of tradition.

All people hold to some form of tradition in their lives, whether it is spiritual or cultural. Every society has a unique culture that expresses certain customs, values and traditions. They can provide a sense of identity by providing security and structure in their lives. Can you imagine what it would be like to have constant change in your life? We are all habitual in nature. Man by nature does not like a lot of change. Traditions can become either a blessing that draws us closer to God or a bondage that leads us away from God. Let me share with you five guidelines that will help you to discern whether certain religious traditions are biblical and can be embraced, or worldly and should be avoided.

1. Are the Roots of That Tradition Holy or Unholy?
The Olive tree is a symbol in the Bible of Israel. In Messiah, Gentiles are grafted into the Olive tree. The Jews are called the "natural branches and the non-Jews, the "wild branches".

Romans 11:16-18 says, "if the roots are holy, so are the branches. And if some of the branches were broken off, and you
(gentiles), being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among the, (Jews) and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the Olive tree do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you."
A Messianic leader was once quoted as saying that "much of the 'Church' is like a Christmas tree - all glitz and ornaments, frills and lights - but cut off from it's roots. It should be like the Olive tree - deeply rooted in the Holy Scriptures, the root being Messiah himself." There is much truth to this statement. When we develop traditions to express our faith, are they rooted in the holy root of God's word?

Ultimately, the bottom line is what the scriptures say:

2 Corinthians 6:17 - "We are a holy people, set apart by God. God has called us to come out from among them and be separate. Do not touch what is unclean and I will receive you."
Deut. 12:1-4 - "These are the statutes and judgments which you shall be careful to observe in the land which the Lord God of your fathers is giving you to possess all the days that you live on the earth. You shall utterly destroy all the places where the nations, which you shall dispossess, serve their gods, on the high mountains and on the hills and under every green tree. And you shall destroy their altars, break their sacred pillars and burn their wooden images with fire; you shall cut down the carved images of their gods and destroy their names from that place. You shall not worship the Lord your God with such things.
Jeremiah 10:1-7 - "Do not learn the ways of the Gentiles (the nations)…for the customs of the peoples are futile (worthless) … "For one cuts a tree from the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe, they decorate it with silver and gold; they fasten it with nails and hammers so that it will not topple." (Sounds like a Christmas tree doesn't it?) Though this is not what is referred to here, the truth and principle is consistent with the word of God. Anything fashioned that is idolatrous in form, is contrary to God's word and violates the second commandment.
"You shall not make for yourself any carved image or any like ness of anything that is in heaven above or that is in the earth beneath…
As a Messianic congregation, our purpose is to ensure that the foundations and roots of our faith are holy.

2. Does the Tradition Point to the Messiah?
He should be the center and focus of our tradition. All the Feasts of Israel that are observed in a Messianic Congregation throughout the year are observed within the context of recognizing that Yeshua is the Messiah and the central figure that we worship. Most of the traditions that are associated with Christmas certainly do not point to the Messiah. In fact they distract and draw one away from Him.

3. Does the Tradition or Custom Glorify and Honor God?
This is our greatest calling and purpose as God's people. To honor and glorify God in our lives. "Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."
In Matthew 23:1-6, Yeshua was not opposed to tradition, only the hypocrisy in men's hearts who observed them as an outward show, to be seen by men. There are many traditions and customs within the Jewish faith that are beautiful that can glorify and honor God.
The Friday night Sabbath meal that Jewish families come together and celebrate each week includes such traditions as (the Sabbath candles, Kiddush cup and Challah, praying a blessing over the family and children). We meet on the Sabbath to read from the Torah to honor and celebrate God's word, wearing prayer shawls the kippot (skullcaps).

In each of these practices, God is the focus and center of our tradition. As a Messianic Congregation, we seek to honor and glorify god through these visible expressions and traditions because we seek to keep the Messiah at the heart and center of our faith. There is a freedom of worship through the Holy Spirit that one can experience without allowing these traditions to lead us into bondage or legalism.

4. Does it Draw us Closer to God?
Do we experience God's presence as we celebrate this tradition, or do we find that it distracts us from drawing into God's presence? In Matthew 15:1-9, we read how Yeshua challenged the scribes and Pharisees view of tradition.

"Why do you transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?" vs. 3 "This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." Vs. 8

5. Are these traditions characteristic of the world or of God?
The apostle Paul said in Colossians 2:6-9 "As you have therefore received Messiah Yeshua the Lord, so walk in Him. ROOTED and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught. Beware lest anyone deceive you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the TRADITION of MEN, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Messiah. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead in bodily form…for you are complete in Him."

LIBERTY VS. LEGALISM

A third truth that is important to understand is the issue of liberty vs. legalism. Some people can feel threatened and become emotional, angry or even hostile when their traditions are challenged. Even if you can prove to them from the scriptures it is wrong, many people still resist change. A person will always find a way to justify his or her actions. How can we deal with the strong traditionalists or those who may oppose what we believe?

How to Walk In Liberty Without Being Legalistic:

I have found a good rule to go by in dealing with these types of people and issues, is a principle found in Romans 14:1-5 and 10-13. Vs. 19-22

"Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace to mutual upbuilding (edification). Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food in this case for the sake of TRADITION. Whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves."

It is not our place to judge or condemn anyone for what their particular conviction may be (even if they are wrong). This subject is not an issue of salvation or doctrine. It becomes a matter of conscience and falls under the same category of those Believers in Paul's day, who ate food sacrificed to idols.

I Corinthians 8:9

"But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours becomes a stumbling block (or cause of offense) to those who are week"

Remember, we are bridge builders not bridge burners. If we burn our bridges behind us, we damage our witness. Part of our vision as a Messianic Congregation is to build bridges in the Christian and Jewish community. We can alienate ourselves from our brethren by coming across with a judgmental and legalistic attitude. As a Messianic congregation we are trying to repair, rebuild and restore truths back into the Christian community.
Our vision is to help the body return to the foundations and roots of their faith so that we can see spiritual renewal and revival come to the body. Let us not destroy the work of God for the sake of tradition, to just try and prove that we are right. We need to guard our hearts against becoming self-righteous like many of the Pharisees, in Yeshua's day.

"Knowledge puffs up but it is love that builds up. Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual up-building…Let us not judge one another anymore but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brothers way." Romans 14:13