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Why all the shouting?
Have you ever wondered how the very ones He was dying for could be so blind? Amazingly, the leading priests led the charge, which still holds true for the Orthodox Jews today. Their pride wouldn’t let them see their Messiah even though their traditions taught them what to expect when he arrived. Strangely enough, many of today’s Christian church leaders are equally blind and for the same reason – pride in traditions. From generation to generation, pride in traditions can become more important than a growing relationship with our heavenly Father. Pride and traditions are much like concrete, once it sets, it’s nearly immovable without destroying it.
Mainstream Christianity preaches the “feel-good” or “prosperity” gospel, which is nothing more than ear tickling mixed with a bit of salvation. Please keep in mind this teaching is not wrong; but traditionally speaking, in the contexts of how they are being taught, they are only parts of the Greater Whole, Him. For instance, what does it mean to work out our faith when salvation is not works based? In other words, there is much more to salvation and faith than faith in salvation itself. If you are saved, you may not feel whole, complete, or loved, even though you should know better.
Pride in traditions is a deadly mix that binds the church to a set of policies, practices, and spiritual dynamics, starting with a belief system that needs a complete overhaul. (1 Corinthians 3:1-3) Paul wrote he couldn’t preach the meat to believers because they weren’t ready to receive it; milk was all they could handle. Today we find many churches teaching milk when they should be teaching the meat of what it means and looks like to be created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27). When combined with (Galatians 2:20) it gives far greater power to (1 John 4:4) and (James 4:7-8). When we learn to how see Him we will learn how to mimic Him (1 Peter 1:16). For every command God gives us, He also gives us the grace to succeed. Now isn’t that something to shout about!?
Bruce Wayne? Sounds like a good “other” name for Batman.
Pride in traditons sounds like a good explanation, too!
Ironic, ain’t it?
Bruce, I think you got it.
Cam Willey
Bruce Wayne!
Your a hero in my book…
thanks for writing and contributing.
Thanks for sharing Bruce. I have heard that “tradition is the living faith of the dead and traditionalism is the dead faith of the living.” I beleive this is an important distinction to make in our post Christian, post modern, post everything culture that is blinded with a perception that only the immediate experience matters as experience trumps both of reason and truth.
However, tradition should always be those orthodox practices that draw us to Him and help us become more like Him so we see and know Him better as a result of their practice. The Jewsih leaders were decieved because their faith was in their heritage, not in the promise of God.