Weekly Update |   November 16, 2023

On Traditions

Dmitriy Zherebnenkov

It’s not a secret that there are both good and bad traditions in Christianity. Without them we wouldn’t have a certain level of predictability and consistency. They both tie us to the past and give some assurance regarding the future. But the question we sometimes need to ask ourselves is this: Do the traditions serve us, or do we serve the traditions? What is essentially the center of our desires, to please God or to fulfill the traditions? These two things can be close to each other, yet complete opposites.

When we claim that we want to be biblical and under the authority of Scripture, meaning we don’t want to be enslaved to traditions, where is the blessing and danger of this approach?

The blessing is that the truth of Scripture becomes my guide in church and personal matters, not my habits, preferences, or approaches from the past.

“But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all…” (Gal. 2:14)

This type of approach leads us to a more careful study of Scripture and an urge to really know the truth. In this case the truth becomes the “measuring stick” in deciding things both at church and in personal life.

Another blessing of this approach is that it helps us prevent running around from tradition to tradition. This is especially important in the ever-changing immigrant church where it is often heard, “But we had it like this…” Scripture must be the authority on where and how the church will move, not the traditions of someone who has the “loudest microphone.” This is a realistic way to avoid conflicts and have actual, growing unity in the leadership of the church and in the church in general.

“I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord.” (Phil. 4:2)

“…eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (Eph. 4:3-6)

There are two basic dangers:

1) Some, having departed from traditions to a biblically informed understanding, haven’t arrived at a mature, fundamentalist, and conservative system of values that come from Scripture. Instead, this departure created a new branch of liberal Christianity. This Christianity is energized by destroying principles and traditions and crossing various forms of boundaries. This has always been appealing to the flesh. But we understand that this is an anti-evangelical approach.

2) Having departed from traditions, some Christians end up with a lack of authority in their thinking and practice. And this is what we must focus most of our attention on!

When a person is governed by all sorts of traditions, a mechanism develops by which this person functions. Traditions dictate how to live, what to do, what is allowed, and what isn’t. In fact, it’s not even that hard to live like this because everything is predetermined and prescribed. There is no need to think through, evaluate, and research various types of questions. The phrase, “the brothers said so,” made life much easier for many. But when a Christian ends up in a Bible-based church where traditions do also exist but without being the ultimate authority in making decisions in the church and in one’s personal life, we encounter the following problem: How are people actually led by Scripture? If traditions previously were the motivator and instructor, then when a person comes to Scripture, how can he now be led by it? The answer is complicated, but very important.

Scripture is not to be just studied to know what God wants (although this is vital), not simply be agreed with (although this is expected from every Christian), and not to be only spoken about—Scripture must be applied! This is the hardest part. If traditions speak specifically about what is and isn’t allowed, Scripture speaks about principles, laws, God’s will, grace, love, hope, faith, and holiness. These are important things and each must be studied to form one’s conviction. But this is a lot of work and not everyone wishes to do it.

“For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.” (Ezra 7:10)

For example, tradition previously said, “A Christian should not listen to this music!” Why? Because it’s right! It was always like this! We understand it to be so! But understand, this is not enough for a Christian. Looking at biblical principles we should be asking questions such as these: Does this music praise God? Is this music able to edify me? Is this music a stumbling block for those around me? How does this music direct me to Christ? Will this music help me grow in holiness? And so on… It turns out that the biblical approach is more work and requires a lot more mental energy and curiosity to clarify all such questions. This approach is best because it requires the Christian to praise God the most by putting him on his knees, forcing him to open Scripture, rely on the Holy Spirit, seek out wisdom from others, etc.

“My little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you!” (Gal. 4:19)

“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” (Gal. 5:13)

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” (Gal. 5:22-23)

“For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.” (Gal. 6:15)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Continue supporting the churches working among the people who have suffered from the war in Ukraine: https://gfchurch.com/ukraine/

Below are the services and meetings for this weekend:

• Thursday (6:30 PM) – Kid’s Bible School (open to all but required for parents), followed by Bible Study (Proverbs) for the whole church at 7:30 PM.
• Sunday services:
  • Worship Service in Russian at 9:00 AM
  • Worship Service in English at 11:15 AM

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