Traditions

There is a lot of controversy in the Apostolic Movement concerning traditions. The primary controversy is whether or not they should be taught, followed or otherwise. There are some who contend that because they've been taught they should be followed with no questions asked, while there are others who posit the theory that because they are traditions of men and only loosely based on the Text that they should not be adhered to, and in fact, done away with.

Over the past week I've been in multiple discussions with people from both sides of this discussion, and while I have my own view of the subject, I have learned a bit from both sides. The primary lesson that I've gleaned is the fact that both sides have both right and wrong in their positions.

Let me first spell out my position, because I'm sure that there are those of you who have already begun to be concerned for the direction I'm going, simply because I'm willing to openly discuss this issue.

I—personally—have no issue with the teaching and establishing of traditions. In fact, there are traditions that I have taught in my own family that were passed down from my parents and generations past. Biblically there is nothing wrong with the teaching of traditions. However, when the teaching of these traditions is that they are doctrine simply because they've been taught by a man of God, this is where I depart from the status quo. Paul taught traditions through his letters to the 1st Century Community, but he was always careful to let them know that they were his thoughts or traditions and not directly from God. Paul also never used God's allowance of his traditions as a license to spiritually abuse the Community because he understood completely that the people were God's not his.

The Text specifically states that we shouldn't simply do away with the traditions established by our fathers, but it also specifically instructs that each one of us—individually—must seek out our own salvation with reverence and in awe of the task. This is not a contradiction in the Text. It is possible to seek out our salvation individually without tossing all the traditions out with the bath water. This can only happen through open and honest discussion of the traditions.

Too many in the Apostolic Movement posit the theory that their traditions must be followed simply because they came across the pulpit. This is not a biblical position. While rebellion is never sanctioned nor accepted in the Text, God never intended His Community to simply be blind followers of the doctrines of man. His missional cry from Eden to the Apocalypse is for man to commune with Him, personally, intimately. In addition, God never gave pastoral license to establish doctrine, He reserved that right for Himself.

Look at what happened during the 400 years between Malachi and Matthew. The Hebrews, because they were no longer hearing from God, began to expand the Torah far beyond anything God had ever intended. When Jesus came on the scene He reduced all of their expanded traditions to simply two commandments: love your God with everything you are and love your neighbor as yourself. He even clarified this further. He said that everything in the Torah (the Law) and the Nevi'im (the Prophets) hung on these two commandments. Basically, if you miss everything else, this is all it takes.

I was recently told that my understanding of the Text was incorrect because I was ignoring the fact that all Scripture is given for doctrine, instruction, reproof, for correction, for instruction... My response was simply this: this is correct, but preaching was only given for the saving of the lost, not the maintaining of the saints. It is my humble yet wholehearted belief that God never intended for doctrine to be preached from a pulpit. I believe that His intent was that doctrine would be taught, then caught one individual at a time. I find this evidenced over and over when individuals discover doctrine personally. They simply don't want to walk away from it. Conversely, how many people are leaving en masse from traditionalist congregations?

Rejecting all traditions, simply because they are traditions is also not what God intended. There has to be a middle ground.

I believe there is.

The time has come to allow people to ask questions about what is taught and preached. Questions do not equate with rebellion nor lack of submission. Questions are what bring us understanding. For far too long the Body of Christ has been content with people simply being preached at or taught to but the instruction never takes root. We've been content for people to simply go through the motions acting as though they understand. This is a gargantuan mistake on our part. Our job as disciple makers is to teach each individual what Jesus taught, to walk beside them on their journey to salvation, always being careful not to stand in their way and block the path to their God.

God never put the onus of salvation on the shoulders of the pastors or the preachers; He placed it squarely on the shoulders of the individuals.

If you want to teach a tradition, fine, but be strong enough spiritually to explain where the tradition comes from, and that it might not be a Heaven or hell issue. Don't reject traditions without first finding out why they are there. And most of all, find God for yourself. Be intimate with Him, personally. Allow Him to penetrate your existence with His Essence and impregnate your soul with desire and unction that draws you ever closer to Him... Not to religion, not to an organization, not to a fellowship, not to a church... but to Him.