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It's very easy to point to the catholics and say they teach the traditions of men. But what about the protestant churches? Where do some of their teachings come from?
If it's not authorized in the scriptures, should we be doing it?
Here is a list of a few things I thought of. Maybe you could add to it?
Robes or ecclesiastical clothing
Titles "father" or "reverend"
Altars
Central headquarters
Joining the church
Business meetings
Choirs
Women preaching/teaching
Chairman, President, Pope
Creeds
Ordination committees
Church pews where people look at other people's backs
Ornate church buildings
Crosses on churches
Altar call
Sinners prayer
Mandatory attendance 3x/week
Are we no better than those we point the finger at?
Katie, there is the necessary business of the church. The apostles did establish congregations and regular worship services for the good of the members and for the purpose of evangelism outreach. MOst of the stuff you cite is just traditionally part of many congregations regular business. It doesn't mean its required, or established by church law, but it just became normal practices because it worked for accomplishing its goals and fulfilling its purpose. You're right, altars, vestments pews etc. are just tradition, but I doubt anyone wants to give up sitting down during the service. Regular chairs do service, but wooden pews look nicer and last virtually forever.
What has been the primary focus of discussions concerning Catholicism on this forum, as far as I know, has been church doctrine.
Katie, there is the necessary business of the church. The apostles did establish congregations and regular worship services for the good of the members and for the purpose of evangelism outreach. MOst of the stuff you cite is just traditionally part of many congregations regular business. It doesn't mean its required, or established by church law, but it just became normal practices because it worked for accomplishing its goals and fulfilling its purpose. You're right, altars, vestments pews etc. are just tradition, but I doubt anyone wants to give up sitting down during the service. Regular chairs do service, but wooden pews look nicer and last virtually forever.
What has been the primary focus of discussions concerning Catholicism on this forum, as far as I know, has been church doctrine.
Hi Prairie,
Thanks for posting. I pretty much agree with a lot of what you say. Business meetings I suppose are almost a necessity. As far as pews in a church building, I wonder who came up with setting them so that people are looking at one another's backs?
There are some things I listed which IMHO are traditions that should be gotten rid of. Titles and vestments top my list. When did calling the minister "reverend" begin? And why robes? I don't think Jesus wanted anyone setting themselves apart or above others.
I guess my question is when do these things become wrong? Does the word "tradition" only mean doctrine? I mean if we are doing things that are not authorized by scripture, then aren't those things the traditions of men Jesus condemned?
This is a topic I'm studying right now, so I still have questions.
It's very easy to point to the catholics and say they teach the traditions of men. But what about the protestant churches? Where do some of their teachings come from?
If it's not authorized in the scriptures, should we be doing it?
Here is a list of a few things I thought of. Maybe you could add to it?
Robes or ecclesiastical clothing
Titles "father" or "reverend"
Altars
Central headquarters
Joining the church
Business meetings
Choirs
Women preaching/teaching
Chairman, President, Pope
Creeds
Ordination committees
Church pews where people look at other people's backs
Ornate church buildings
Crosses on churches
Altar call
Sinners prayer
Mandatory attendance 3x/week
Are we no better than those we point the finger at?
God Bless,
Katie
Good question. You know to which "denomination" I belonged, and I can say they only did 4, sometimes 5, of those above. Joining the church, business meetings, (some had choirs, none I attended ever did), altar call, and mandatory attendance (though never spoken outright).
I'm not sure where any of those get scriptural authority.
Go back to church members gathering in the homes like in the book of Acts.
The Spirit moves a lot more in these types of settings - I've seen the Spirit quenched far too many times to make room for the programs and activities so many assemblies feel is necessary.
I guess my question is when do these things become wrong? Does the word "tradition" only mean doctrine? I mean if we are doing things that are not authorized by scripture, then aren't those things the traditions of men Jesus condemned?
What you are seeing is the false sytem that is Christianity. Jesus did not come to establish this. That is why there is so many extremes within Christianity. When you operate within a false paradignm, you can go to many extemes because you are trying to search for truth. Instead if we would embrace the true message that we are all God's children and that the Christ potential is within us and that we can walk in our purpose while also learning to love others then this whole false sytem would fall and people would see it for what it is. When the Protestants reformed against the Catholic church they could sense something wasn't right, but instead of embracing the real truth they then created a beast of their own within the over arching false system.
It's very easy to point to the catholics and say they teach the traditions of men. But what about the protestant churches? Where do some of their teachings come from?
If it's not authorized in the scriptures, should we be doing it?
Here is a list of a few things I thought of. Maybe you could add to it?
Robes or ecclesiastical clothing
Titles "father" or "reverend"
Altars
Central headquarters
Joining the church
Business meetings
Choirs
Women preaching/teaching
Chairman, President, Pope
Creeds
Ordination committees
Church pews where people look at other people's backs
Ornate church buildings
Crosses on churches
Altar call
Sinners prayer
Mandatory attendance 3x/week
Are we no better than those we point the finger at?
God Bless,
Katie
Hi Katie,
Hope you are doing well . How about "tithing" to be included here.
Steph
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. How about "tithing" to be included here.