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The term “tradition” can refer either to something handed down from generation to generation or to the mode of transmission itself. No one doubts that there is no consensus among students of morality concerning the nature and significance of traditions in ethics. In reference to Theology “tradition” a doctrine believed to have divine authority though not in the scriptures, in particular.
Benefits with Traditions and Christian Ethics
There are many difference forms of traditions that affect people’s behavior, beliefs, and actions. The benefit of the broad Christian tradition is the wisdom that is passed down from generation to generation to saints and sinners. It’s part of the foundational heritage they come from and gives them some insights of how their forefathers thought and lived. As Christians they must apply the Christian tradition they adopt as moral wisdom, not moral law. Law requires obedience to another’s stated will, under pain of estrangement and punishment.
The risky element in the analogy of law is it’s implication that our good or evil behavior will determine God’s attitude towards us. Much like the example we read in the gospel of Mark7: 1-13, “Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem. And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault. For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders. And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables.
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Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands? He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.”
Applying Christian traditions as moral wisdom will prevent us from being judges and jury like the Pharisees and scribes was trying to be because moral wisdom does not require obedience to another’s will to avoid their wrath, but allows one to benefit from another’s mind. We can gleam from the traditions of our forefathers as long as we don’t allow the traditions to supersede the Word of god. For the main benefit Christian tradition to me is divine revelation. In order to keep the gospel forever whole and alive the church, the apostles left bishops as their successors, “handing over their own teaching role” to them. (cf. 2 Thess. 2:15)
Problems with Tradition and Christian Ethics
The major problem I see with tradition and Christian Ethics is that we by virtue of our life is exposed to different forms of traditions for our life and for our common life that do not have their source in the Christian community. There are a lot of things that we believe and do simply because of the way we were raised and the limited exposure we may had in the Christian community. Different religions also had their ideas on the importance of traditions. For example, without denying the authority of Scripture, the Catholics have therefore insisted upon the necessity of acknowledging traditions as a source of authority as well. Protestants have often seen traditions as too inconsistent and corruptible to be a genuine source of moral authority. I concur with Immanuel Kant’s view on religious traditions. He interpreted religious traditions as “vehicles” of perfect moral rationality, vehicles that help fallible human beings make progress toward pure rational faith.
In conclusion, I benefited from the tradition of how my formal church extended the call to discipleship at the end of church service. I learned when and how to extend the call to discipleship and the importance of one repenting, acknowledging their need of a savior and accepting Jesus Christ as their personal savior. After the acknowledgement from the parishioner the pastor would ask for the plea form the Deacons and then a vote from the congregation. I realized the problem with that tradition when the pastor asked for a plea from the Deacons and a vote from the congregation when the spirit of The Lord convicted my heart at my first call to discipleship as Pastor at Mt. Zion and I had 3 young adults come up. I followed the tradition that I had been exposed to for years and then the Lord asked me, “who was we to decide who was worthy of his acceptance into his family.”
The Lord brought back to my remembrance the lady caught in the act of adultery. (cf. John 8:1-11) I quickly realized we have all sinned and fell short of the Glory of God. And no one have the right to turn one away from Christ. The spirit also allowed me to reflect on my Christian Ethics which reminds me that “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16 KJV) After that experience I met with the officers and explain to them the need to abolish that tradition and shared with them Matthew 19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. From that time going forward we have accepted people into God’s family with love and compassion.
