The presence of tradition in a faithful community has a stabilizing influence as it preserves the basic teachings of Scripture. The Apostle Paul encourages the church to, “stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle” (2 Thess 2:15). Tradition forms the bedrock of the community’s self-identity, but with tradition comes the danger of inflexibility and rigidity. Tradition can reduce the nuance and interpretation of Scripture through singular dogmatic formulas. In so doing, it ‘fixes’ the canon and dictates how a certain passage should be understood, thus ruling out new insights.
Tradition, when misapplied, can also lead to false teaching and false practices: “And in vain they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men” (Matt 15:19). The Jews did this when they used the Law as a vehicle for establishing their own righteousness. It led to numerous traditions which had nothing to do with the Law. An example of this is the eating of kosher food where meat and milk products are strictly separated and even prepared in separate utensils (or separate kitchens). This practice is derived from Exod 23:19: “You shall not boil a young goat in its mother’s milk”. The accumulation of man-made traditions is virtually always due to either misinterpretation of Scripture, or a desire to follow the letter, rather than the Spirit of the Law (Scripture).
Tradition is beneficial when it preserves that which is good; however, when it institutionalizes and systematizes faith it makes the Word of God of no effect. I have heard it said (with pride) that we have done this practice/understood this passage/prophecy/book like this for the last forty years. This can be a good thing but it can also close any re-examination of issues. The Word of God is not a static, dead thing, it is living and dynamic, and it behooves us to search the Scriptures with fresh eyes. God is not bound by our understanding, or by our interpretation of Scripture, God is free to interpret and apply his Word in ways that are unique and radically different to what we might expect. The Jews found this out to their chagrin; the NT interpreted the OT in radically new directions from the Jews’ point of view – offering new and unexpected ways in which God expanded his purpose with mankind – including the acceptance of the Gentiles. New wine cannot be put in old wine-skins but we must be careful not to construct our own old wine-skins.
Tradition must be balanced with adaptability. The danger of stability and tradition lies in its closure to a new understanding. The wrong application of tradition makes the Word of God dead and closes it to new insights, as it did with the Samaritans, who only accepted the Pentateuch, or the Pharisees, who were so zealous for the Law that they missed the point of Jesus’ ministry. The interpretation of God’s word naturally forms tradition and tradition then ‘shapes’ interpretation. How then to avoid tradition becoming a self-limiting force, rather than a force for good? The only way is to prayerfully study Scripture, discuss Scripture, and apply Scripture with an open mind, in the realization that God has revealed himself in radical new ways and we are limited creatures who look through a glass but darkly.
Reflections on the Potter and the Clay