[Biblemat] S) THE INFLUENCE OF TRADITION

[J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com]

Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here.  Here is a study from my
files:  Use to the glory of God.

THE INFLUENCE OF TRADITION

     Human traditions pervade the religious world.  Their impa-
ct is so great tht they wield an influence greater in may instan-
ces than truth itself.  Even though many traditions are acknowledged to be of 
human origin, they are treated as if 
they were authorized by God; and those who repudiate them 
are looked upon as being exceedingly strange and extremely
narrow-minded.

     Such was the situation dealt with in Matt. 15.  The elders
of Israel had developed a tradition that a person defiled him-
self if he ate without ceremoniously washing his hands.  The
Jews then found fault with anyone who ate with unwashed
hands, regardless of how clean his hands might be.  Jesus
rebuked them and pointed out their error by reminding them
of another of their traditions by which they even set aside the
commandment of God to honor one's father and mother.  The
Jews also had traditions qualifying binding oaths (Matt. 23:16).  Paul warned 
the saints at Colosse about restrictive
ordinances imposed "in accordance with the commandments
and teachings of men" (Col. 2:20-22).

     It should be obvious to the observant that traditions of
men also affect the lives of Christians and sometimes find
their way into the activities of the church.  Churches some-
times have special services for Mother's Day and Father's Day and Easter.  
Some offer festival activities near the time
of Halloween.  Some offer Valentine banquets for Valentine's
Day.

     No doubt the most pervasive and most influential of the
traditions of men is the celebration of Christmas.  Even some
preachers defend it, and Christians who ignore it are consider-
ed weird.  Its fundamental nature is denied in an attempt to
justify its observance.  Christmas (Christ Mass) came into
being through Roman Catholic tradition which adapted a pag-
an celebrather to make it a celebration of the birth of Christ.
Religous significance is attached to almost every facet of the
rituals and festivities tht are a part of it.  Its power is illustrat-
ed in the impact tht it has on our national economy.  The 
opposition to its public celebration by secularists is based on
its religious character.  Its defense by religious apologists is
based on claims for the right of religious expression.  The 
tide of the influence of the festivities of Christmas has swept
away Protestant opposition that once rejected it as Romish.
Will it do the same to the Lord's people?

     Christians need to remember that the Scriptures are silent
about celebrating the birth of Christ with religious ritual.  The
day of His birth is not known.  We need to separate fact from
fiction.  When we study or teach concerning the birth of Christ from God's 
Word, we will not be telling the "Christmas
Story" about three wise men visiting the stable where Jesus
lay in a manger.  We can read and rejoice in the account of
the miraculous coming of Christ in the flesh and the joy that
it brought to the world through His becoming our Redeemer
through His death on the cross.  (Yes, we can Scripturally
celebrate His death and suffering, every Lord's Day {Sunday}
by partaking of the Lord's Supper, but we have no authority
to set aside any given day to celebrate His birth in any religi-
ous way. JWS).  ------- Gilbert Alexander.   </HTML>
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