Belief Systems / Religion / Traditions of Men

[JohnD]

Some ask why God DID things the way he did.

 

Sorry.

[JohnD]

Not all traditions are evil. In fact, the Jewish Passover Seder (Haggadah) and the order of the Seder are not found in scripture, yet all point to Jesus from the unleavened bread to the wine.

 

But traditions that are unbiblical or contradict the Bible (like the wearing of head covering for men in prayer) are traditions of men. This upsets my Jewish brethren when I point out the Apostle Paul's inspired commentary on the matter and how the Messianic Jews wear yarmulkes to identify with the Jewish people... who wear them because of what Paul wrote against them... 

 

Mark 7:6-8 (NASB95)
6 And He said to them, “Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far away from Me.
7 ‘But in vain do they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.’
8 “Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.”

 

Mark 7:13 (NASB95)
13 thus invalidating the word of God by your tradition which you have handed down; and you do many things such as that.”

[JohnD]

 

 

 

Any deviation from the Word of God, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem, is a tradition of man. 

 

Many times, scpripture tells us to do something in generalities. Scripture says it is good and right to worship God. But doesn't tell us how to worship. In a communal setting, where all people involved worship together, it is better to worship in a common way. Since scripture doesn't give us details, men setup a system of communal worship. Since worship is something we should do, but without specifics, we are free to setup our 'tradition'.  

 

In other words, Jesus did not oppose traditions, as long as the traditions did not go against scripture. In reality, Jesus participated in many Jewish traditions without objecting to them. As long as a tradition does not go against scripture, traditions are fine.

 

 

 

 

Couldn't agree more. Traditions that go beyond scripture are traditions of man. 

 

Is the festival of lights (feast of dedication) beyond scripture?

 

 

Since Jesus himself kept the feast, I would say it is in accord with scripture.

[fruitfull77]

Important differences in the background and intent of observances like feast of lights or Purim  are obvious when we compare them to Easter, Christmas, and halloween.The Jews added the feasts and neither incorporates pagan customs. Thanksgiving honors and gives thanks to God.for His blessings.

The important distinction between these holidays and those rooted in paganism is the realization that they do not corrupt, replace, or distort a festival of God

Hanukkah is in harmony with the apostles admonition for giving thanks always for all things to God - Ephesians 5:20

[nebula]

Uh-oh - potential thread hijack in the making!

[Qnts2]

Not all traditions are evil. In fact, the Jewish Passover Seder (Haggadah) and the order of the Seder are not found in scripture, yet all point to Jesus from the unleavened bread to the wine.

 

But traditions that are unbiblical or contradict the Bible (like the wearing of head covering for men in prayer) are traditions of men. This upsets my Jewish brethren when I point out the Apostle Paul's inspired commentary on the matter and how the Messianic Jews wear yarmulkes to identify with the Jewish people... who wear them because of what Paul wrote against them... 

 

Mark 7:6-8 (NASB95)

6 And He said to them, “Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far away from Me.

7 ‘But in vain do they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.’

8 “Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.”

 

Mark 7:13 (NASB95)

13 thus invalidating the word of God by your tradition which you have handed down; and you do many things such as that.”

 

The yarmulke has nothing to do with Paul or Christianity.

 

Actually, as a tradition, the yarmulke is similar to the tradition of Christians wearing a cross. The yarmulke is a reminder of God above (the head), and also serves to identify the person as Jewish. Like the cross is a reminder and symbol of what Jesus did for us, and also serves to identify a person as a Christian. Both are traditions and neither is a violation of scripture.  

[fruitfull77]

We all want to have our light shine and show our faith.

 

But the tradition of Christians wearing a cross does not come from the bible or the NT church.

 

The cross was an honored religious symbol used by the people of Babylon. It was associated with Tammuz-long before the crucifixion of Christ.

 

It was not until paganism blended with Christianity between 400-600 AD that crosses started showing up in churches and on steeples.

- Babylon mystery religion -Ralph Woodrow.

 

Worshiping Jesus by wearing a cross is a violation of the second commandment.

It's an external sign-Jesus reminds us to show our belief through our hearts and mind not by material images particularly those that are instruments of death.

 

Listen to your God

Edited October 31, 2013 by fruitfull77

[Guest man]

We all want to have our light shine and show our faith.

 

But the tradition of Christians wearing a cross does not come from the bible or the NT church.

 

The cross was an honored religious symbol used by the people of Babylon. It was associated with Tammuz-long before the crucifixion of Christ.

 

It was not until paganism blended with Christianity between 400-600 AD that crosses started showing up in churches and on steeples.

- Babylon mystery religion -Ralph Woodrow.

 

Worshiping Jesus by wearing a cross is a violation of the second commandment.

It's an external sign-Jesus reminds us to show our belief through our hearts and mind not by material images particularly those that are instruments of death.

 

Listen to your God

 

 

Good post.  

[Willa]

Any deviation from the Word of God, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem, is a tradition of man.

 

Many times, scpripture tells us to do something in generalities. Scripture says it is good and right to worship God. But doesn't tell us how to worship. In a communal setting, where all people involved worship together, it is better to worship in a common way. Since scripture doesn't give us details, men setup a system of communal worship. Since worship is something we should do, but without specifics, we are free to setup our 'tradition'.  

 

In other words, Jesus did not oppose traditions, as long as the traditions did not go against scripture. In reality, Jesus participated in many Jewish traditions without objecting to them. As long as a tradition does not go against scripture, traditions are fine.

We are told to worship in Spirit and in truth. We are told that all things should be done decently and in order. We are told to speak to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God. Eph 5:18NKJV,, 1 Cor. 14

[Willa]

An invocation, a prayer, 3 hymns, an offeratory, and taking of offerings, another prayer, a sermon, the Lord's supper, a doxology. These are not evil, but they can become rote if people are not worshipping in Spirit and in truth. It is a common order of the service in many protestant denominations.. The key is the condition of the worshippers' hearts.. Are we truly repentant when we receive the Lord's Supper and in real fellowship with other Christians?. Have we searched our hearts?. Are we in awe of our Creator and in love with Him in a deep committment?.

Sometimes the worst critics of the Church are the ones who assume all other worshippers have the same heart problems as they themselves are encountering. The people who may be most critical of the church need to remember how much Jesus loves her, as imperfect as she is. Christ died to redeem her. To have a jaundiced opinion of her is to critcize Christ Himself. He lives in His Church, the universal body of believers. .