"Tradition" is a word that often carries a mixed, negative reaction in religious discussions. To some, "tradition" means the old standard that is now obsolete. To others, "tradition" refers to something that must always be changed. What is the truth about "tradition"?

Tradition is neither good nor bad of itself. The word simply means, "that which is passed down." The source of a tradition and/or how it is used determines whether a tradition is good or bad in God's sight. If the source of a tradition is Divine and applicable today, then it is always good and binding on us (cf. 2 Thes. 2:15; 3:6). If the source of a tradition is human, then it may or may not be good in God's sight. When human tradition replaces God's will, then it is always wrong (cf. Mt. 15:1-9). However, when a human tradition is not inherently sinful and is used expediently in carrying out God's will, then it is good in God's sight (cf. 1 Cor. 6:12; 10:23).

There are two basic errors concerning the relationship between human tradition and truth. First, some err by promoting human tradition as if it were God's word. This was the error of the Pharisees (Mk. 7:1-13). This is also the error of those who want to change God authorized acts of worship by claiming that Scriptural worship services are nothing more than human tradition. When the Samaritan woman said, "Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship" (Jn. 4:20), she showed the same mistaken attitude. She considered worship a matter merely regulated by human will ("our father" versus "ye say"). We have no right to consider God-authorized worship as a mere matter of human tradition!

Second, some err by supposing that changing from one God-approved human tradition to another is equivalent to changing God's law. Human traditions must not be considered immutable. Changing human traditions in order to reach others with the Gospel is Scriptural and sometimes necessary (1 Cor. 9:19-23). If a change in tradition, however, is really a change in God's authorized pattern, then we must not tolerate change. When human traditions are in conflict with truth, truth must always prevail! Let us study our Bibles that we may know the difference between tradition and God's truth.