October 16

Day 217: Traditionalism

It's funny (strange, pathetic) to me how dearly I hang on to my own traditions. It may be seen on a Saturday morning, when I'm almost disappointed that the sun is out. Makes it much harder for me to justify sitting inside and watch European soccer, or college football.

I have an established routine on Monday mornings. When altered I feel like the scaffolding around me is crumbling. Potentially ruining me for days.

I was inside two different local church sanctuaries this past week. If honest, I felt the tug of "how it used to be" for me. Permanent worship space, my own office, and an admin assistant or three. I don't miss all that. Except when I do.

I have theological distinctives I cling to. I consider them all to be orthodox. And correct. Even if they are minor and/or debatable issues at best.

Jaroslav Pelikan (a guy, not a bird) said, "Tradition is the living faith of the dead. Traditionalism is the dead faith of the living."

How easily we confuse the two. Orthodox traditions (belief and practice) are those passed down to us through the ages. Traditionalism is the stuff we come up with ourselves. Sadly, we give equal weight to both.

This is why the Jews in the first century AD looked so different from those of Exodus. This is why the Talmud took on more importance than the Torah over time. This is why washing hands before eating became more important than allowing God to cleanse hearts. Traditionalism passed off as traditions.

Tradition is for the benefit of ourselves and others. Many of which are given to us by God Himself, to give structure and liturgy to our worship.

Traditionalism is guarded and protected exclusively for our own, singular benefit. We like what we like, because we like it. Our own preferences hold greater value to us, even if we don't admit it.

Paul wrote to the Christians in Corinth, because they had become traditionalists. They were arguing over who was to be the primary voice worth following. The team was being divided into sub teams, each battling for supremacy.

Reading between the lines, they were probably guilty of arguing over pretty much everything. Preferences up against preferences. All resulting in division between them.

This is why Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 3:11 "For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Christ Jesus." In other words, Jesus was the only one to prefer.

Covid has exposed us. Restrictions have brought to light our traditionalism, our preferences...because some of those have been ripped away, perhaps never to return.

If being traditional means being the people who find Jesus in His Word, then may it be so. If having our own traditionalism ripped away from us, anything that discourages our unity, may that also be so.

-Mike Rydman, Lead Pastor, Radiant Church | Juneau