It is not hard to be narrow-minded and judgmental. In fact it can be difficult to resist that tendency for some of us. It is even more difficult when surrounded by others who take pleasure in discovering the faults of others.
My mother and a few others who were important in my growing up actively worked to find the good in others and in our circumstances. For that I am grateful to God to this day. However, at times I have felt at times a gnawing sense of responsibility to my fellow human beings that I cannot ignore.
Around the world and for the past 2,000 years people have received Christ within their own cultural contexts. I have learned to accept this as well as the fact that I do not have to understand why everyone worships in their particular form. At the same time I have learned that there can be inherent problems in some forms.
Whenever Christians develop customs or traditions that contradict the teachings of Christ we should all be concerned. That should be obvious. Yet it is possible that in our desire to fulfill His purposes, we can develop traditions that actually hinder us from fulfilling them. I know this because I have been caught up in these situations myself.
Recently I wrote a post encouraging older believers to pass their wisdom and experience down to succeeding generations. During this new year I will be attempting to take my own advice. While trying to not be offensive or controversial, I am expecting that controversy will become unavoidable. To some my concerns might seem petty or reactionary. All I ask is that you consider what I offer, and that you develop your own critical thinking skills.
My faith in Christ is built upon His work in my life through personal experience, His Word in the bible, and the power of the Holy Spirit Who works within me. If that is also true for you, I believe we have some common ground already! If you are interested in where I am going with this topic, I invite you to subscribe to my blog, https://livingtruth.com or my facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/livingtruthcom and join the discussion!
By speaking the truth in love, we can grow up into Christ in all things, and fulfill our destiny in Him! (Ephesians 4:15, Romans 8:29).
Brother Dan, you go for long periods without writing here. Then you turn a fire hose on everyone. Please slow down. Your words are too good to take in hurriedly. Haha.
This cultural thing is quite intriguing. For example, neither Jesus nor his apostles seemed to be on a mission to fix everything at once. Slavery was common, for example, yet believing masters were not exhorted to free their slaves…
Likewise in the physical world, Jesus the carpenter did not reveal new woodworking techniques nor better tools. Same for agricultural and fishing.
It was as though everything had to run its course. And that change would be slow. I would have thought that Temple sacrifices would have immediately ended after Calvary – when the curtain was torn in half by God Almighty. Yet many believers kept returning there and to Jewish synagogues, too. Hmmm.
Peter and Paul had a disagreement over the continuance of Jewish customs, you recall.
It should come as no surprise to us that Christians did not change or move forward at once in every area in the Gospel era. I doubt not, that women in some localities were suppressed. Why would we think their freedom was honored with regard to the meetings when they were treated unfairly in many other ways?
.Jews kept meeting on the Sabbath and kept other holidays even though Jesus was shown to be the True Rest and the True Fulfillment of all Holidays. Jews needlessly continued to circumcise their male babies, too.
Consider this: The Old Testament cleansings for sin known as baptisms would not suddenly stop among those who had practiced these for thousands of years. In the New Testament we are taught that spiritual baptism is now available. And required, too. Of course, water and spirit baptism can and do occur in the same person.
That said, we must admit that humans tend to cling to the past in the social settings.
Again, the apostles were at times, seemingly OK with these ‘continuations’ into an unknown future. Even Timothy was circumcised so that the gospel would not make too many waves.
A truly fascinating subject you have brought to your readers!
David,
Thanks again for the encouragement. I have so many thoughts whirling around in my head sometimes that I hesitate to share what might bring confusion. Pray for me that the Lord will help me to use this platform for the benefit of others and for His glory.