power of tradition

[Fidei Defensor]

15 minutes ago, Marilyn C said:

The trouble with traditions is that if you don`t do it (eg sign of the cross etc) then you can feel like you have done wrong. It becomes a bondage, a have to.

 

It can, it certainly can become that. However, sometimes people need to vent their nerves, and is it not better to say "In nomni Patris, et Spirit Filio, et Spirtius Scanti Amen," instead of say the S word or Lord's name in vain?

[Willa]

16 hours ago, Fidei Defensor said:

There are Traditions that are extra Biblical that we adhere to.

1. Veronica cleans Jesus face with a veil on Vie Del Rosa.
2. The Stations of Cross, and Jesus falling with cross (Scripture records once I believe).
3. The cross being in Latina (traditional shape) or other shapes, the argument persists to this day.

You can devise these traditions through lots of cross referencing, but they are spelled out.

Superstition varies, it can be harmless to harmful. Generally road of demarcation is the following:

Bad Examples of Superstition: To Be Avoided

• Does the superstition violate Scripture?
• Does the superstition effect the person's life, as in they won't leave home because of demons (Agorphobia)
• Does the superstition incorporate pagan, occultic, or other rituals?
• Does the superstition place trust in an object, ritual, and etc instead of trust in the Divine Trinity? Example an amulet which can be crucifix, but it depends on individual.
• Does the superstition deprive the person of their livelihood (money) and harm their household's finanaces?
• Does the superstition do spiritual, emotional, and physical harm to person doing it or those party to it or bystanders?

If you make sign of cross, say a prayer, or so some tick that effects no one and does not employ evil spirits and craft, then its harmless. Better to say Our Father or make sign of cross than curse and use profanity.

It seems like all superstition should be avoided since it is trusting in a tradition, an object, or actions such as not walking under ladders for luck or avoiding black cats.  They are not trusting in the living God in these cases, so it is much like idolatry.  

But I understand your carrying your crucifix.  I put up a nativity at Christmas because it keeps me focused on the reason for the season instead of all the commercialism and fables that the world considers to be Christmas.  But I would never pray to the objects.  

[Fidei Defensor]

2 minutes ago, Willa said:

It seems like all superstition should be avoided since it is trusting in a tradition, an object, or actions such as not walking under ladders for luck or avoiding black cats.  They are not trusting in the living God in these cases, so it is much like idolatry.  

But I understand your carrying your crucifix.  I put up a nativity at Christmas because it keeps me focused on the reason for the season instead of all the commercialism and fables that the world considers to be Christmas.  But I would never pray to the objects.  

You are right that you shouldn't' trust in object. I think superstition is dangerous. But if you have tradition that builds your faith in Christ or reminds you of Him I see no harm.

We should always remind ourselves to let nothing divert our attention from our Lord and God:

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2).
 

[Marilyn C]

20 minutes ago, Fidei Defensor said:

It can, it certainly can become that. However, sometimes people need to vent their nerves, and is it not better to say "In nomni Patris, et Spirit Filio, et Spirtius Scanti Amen," instead of say the S word or Lord's name in vain?

Hi Fidei Defensor,

I hear what you are saying, and it would be a good wake up call for `us` to work with the Lord to address that need to `vent,` as you say.

regards, Marilyn. 

[Fidei Defensor]

4 minutes ago, Marilyn C said:

Hi Fidei Defensor,

I hear what you are saying, and it would be a good wake up call for `us` to work with the Lord to address that need to `vent,` as you say.

regards, Marilyn. 

But tradition like any word is complicated. How we understand the word can really shape our response to. For some its like Tavia, "Tradition!" (Fiddler on the Roof), others it is canons of the Catholic and Orthodox Churches, and for others it is unique specific traditions like ones your parents taught you at Christmas. It is so hard with words now that have so many meanings.

Religion was good word, it meant only The Christian faith, but now it is plural word that can be religions and tends to embody the image of organized institutions that have rituals that contradict Scripture or crush people (Matthew 23).

[Marilyn C]

2 minutes ago, Fidei Defensor said:

But tradition like any word is complicated. How we understand the word can really shape our response to. For some its like Tavia, "Tradition!" (Fiddler on the Roof), others it is canons of the Catholic and Orthodox Churches, and for others it is unique specific traditions like ones your parents taught you at Christmas. It is so hard with words now that have so many meanings.

Religion was good word, it meant only The Christian faith, but now it is plural word that can be religions and tends to embody the image of organized institutions that have rituals that contradict Scripture or crush people (Matthew 23).

Yes, the Lord qualified His use of the word to the Pharisees, and then the Apostle Paul used it in a good sense.

`Why do you transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition.` (Matt. 15: 3)

`Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.` (2 Thess. 2: 15)

[Guest Judas Machabeus]

3 hours ago, Marilyn C said:

The trouble with traditions is that if you don`t do it (eg sign of the cross etc) then you can feel like you have done wrong. It becomes a bondage, a have to.

 

What? That is a twisted understanding of doing the sign of the cross. Someone that feels like they've done wrong because they didn't do the sign of the cross has issues and needs help. 

[JohnD]

Tradition in and of itself is not wrong... so long as it lines up with holy writ.

It's the traditions of man that nullifies the word of God (Mark 7:13).

Not to derail this thread, I'll start another on "the things of God versus the things of man"

 

[Fidei Defensor]

18 hours ago, JohnD said:

Tradition in and of itself is not wrong... so long as it lines up with holy writ.

It's the traditions of man that nullifies the word of God (Mark 7:13).

Not to derail this thread, I'll start another on "the things of God versus the things of man"

 

Indeed, "Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God." (Mark 7:7), "They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men," (Matthew 15:9), and "These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh." (Colossians 2:23 ESV).