Stuck in Tradition

I have a friend who is a traditionalist, in every sense of the word.  He‘s not into major change of any sort, be it technology, food, television shows, and especially the church. “What was wrong with the way we’ve done it in the past?” is his lament.  He frets about the casual way people dress for Sunday services, their lack of decorum/reverence during said services, in fact he has a whole litany of complaints. While I don’t disagree with his thinking, entirely, I also believe that strict adherence to traditions, many of which are man-made, can trap us in a legalistic mindset.  Many folks can become hung up on rule-following and fulfilling religious obligations, because it’s easier to check off a list than joyfully, willingly, worshipping God.  I don’t want you to get the idea that rules are a bad thing, perish the thought, but when we think that they are the only way to God, we find ourselves back where the Jewish people were, before Christ constantly doing and never done.

The body of Christ, the church, like any other living entity, should be growing, and maturing, not sitting in a stagnant pool of laws. I read a quote by John Wimber that said the church should be doing an ancient thing (following Christ’s teachings) in a contemporary way,  adapting to the current times, without taking away or adding to His mission.  We don’t wash our clothes on rocks, or live in stick huts anymore, so why do we expect the church to lag behind? The future of Christianity depends on it keeping up with the times, while staying true to the scriptures.  This is nothing new, even in the early church, Paul was obliged to set people straight about the dangers of following tradition rather than Christ.  “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.” Colossians 2:8.  Following Christ, in a relevant, contemporary way, is so much more rewarding, and grace-filled, than  being a stodgy traditionalist.  Try it and see for yourself!!