A song that was sung in the movie "Fiddler on the roof" a number of years ago was entitled "Tradition." This movie was about a Jewish community that had come under pressure from outside forces. It was the traditions of the community and religious beliefs that kept the community strong. Traditions have long been understood as being the source of strength of Jewish communities. Some traditions are strongly embedded in religion, some are ways of life that have developed due to the circumstances of the people. Chamber's dictionary defines tradition as: "a handing over (law); oral transmission from generation to generation, especially of certain Christian, Judaic and Islamic doctrines and customs; a tale, belief or practice thus handed down; a long-established belief or custom; anything bound up with or continuing in the life of a family, community, etc." Certainly, even remote villages or tribes of people have traditions of religious beliefs or practices of lifestyle. Traditions are strongly supported because they add a pattern of living that a group has found to be comfortable and that results in the overall good of the individual and community.
When Jesus went about teaching about the kingdom and how to live according to the laws and commandments God gave for their good (Deut. 5:30,6:24, Rom. 7:12), He ran into traditions that had been added by those in authority. He was confronted by Pharisees from Jerusalem asking why His disciples did not always wash their hands before they ate bread. Jesus countered by asking why their traditions transgressed the commandment of God (Mark 7:1-13). The example Jesus used was that the Pharisees taught that a gift "to God" was more important than honouring one's parents with that gift. Thus the fifth commandment was broken. Traditions have always been a part of the life of people and always will be, but if those traditions lead to the setting aside of the laws and commandments of God, they are not profitable. The Pharisees were fanatical about some of the actions they insisted people use. Washing hands in a certain way, washing pitchers, cups and many other such things were pressures placed on the Jewish people they controlled.
The concept of tradition is not a bad concept. It gives a foundation upon which people can rely for stability and continuance in their daily lives. We all need routines and pathways of living that benefit ourselves and the community we are part of. But many traditions are made for the benefit of a few and control of the many. Paul noted that the people of God needed to be aware that the teachings he and others had brought to the early church were carefully followed. He cautioned that there were those who would: "cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ (Col. 2:7-8). Paul knew what he was talking about because he could look back on his life of persecution toward the church and his climbing over others to gain position and power because he was more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of the fathers (Gal. 1:13,14). It was due to the traditions taught by the Pharisees that Gentiles were badly thought of and those who opposed the teachings could be imprisoned and killed. Paul knew that there were bad and also that there were good traditions. Traditions were important, but only good if they supported the commandments, statutes and laws of God.
Paul and the Apostles God had chosen were deeply involved in developing the New Covenant church. They had spent much time living and consulting with Jesus Christ about the laws of God which were to be placed in the mind and written on the heart of converted people (Heb. 8:10-13). The first covenant had many physical details and instructions about temple care and so on which were never followed as God had originally instructed Israel. The abuse of the Old Covenant led to ultra-strict thinking on the part of the Pharisees and Jews. Any time that the holy and good commandments of God are broken or impacted by a tradition which men think would be good, it is the tradition that needs to be changed. That was the dilemma Peter, Paul and the Apostles encountered wherever they went.
Paul was specially chosen by God to explain the change from the Old to the New, it seems. His writings reflect his teachings as well as the difficulty he encountered. Even the apostle Peter found it difficult to turn from traditions that had been formed in him as a child. Gentiles were a problem for Peter for most of his career, it seems (Gal. 2:11-13). Paul had carefully explained the truth God had given him to Peter and some others, but 14 years later, Paul found that some were resisting the new teaching of truth and the actual spiritual intention God had in mind. Some were still holding fast to actions that made them hypocritical (Gal. 1:18, 2:1-5). The teaching that justification came only through Jesus and not by the works of people was strongly pushing against traditions that had been set in place by men. The grace of Christ was a new experience for the followers of the Torah and traditions that countered that grace needed to change.
Paul was careful to introduce new traditions that pointed directly to the commandments and laws of God. He never contradicted the laws nor was hypocrisy allowed. Paul marvelled at the truth and spiritual intent of all that Jesus taught. He knew the old traditions of Judaism and he knew the Torah well. God opened Paul's eye as He must to all who are converted, so that Paul could see. In seeing, Paul also developed traditions that would preserve the lessons of truth he was teaching and that are found in his writings. Paul was thankful for being able to teach that salvation came through sanctification by the Spirit in the truth (2 Thess. 2:13-15). He knew God had called them by the gospel he and others taught and he strongly encouraged them to hold fast to the traditions they had been taught whether by word or epistle.
Paul had taught by word and example and his teachings were always those that did not cause or allow for disorder, but led to faith in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and the effect of the indwelling Holy Spirit in each convert. Paul definitely taught traditions (2 Thess. 3:6-9). He taught about love for a brother and godly conduct in all converted people are to do. He was so strong in his teachings, that he admonished converts not to have company with those who did not follow the epistle as he had taught them (2 Thess. 3:14). Paul's intention was never to hurt, but in the hope that a person could be rescued from error. Peter knew that truth and boldly wrote in his book that brethren are to become holy in all their actions and words. They were to be on guard for the traditions they had received from their fathers which could lead to aimless conduct, and remember they were redeemed by the precious blood of Christ (I Pet. 1:15-19).
It ought to be obvious that since God created various nations, races and peoples, He knows there are differences among them. The differences must never lead to traditions that interfere with the intention of God's laws. Each generation of followers has the responsibility to faithfully pass on the way of truth. It is to be an ongoing and seamless continuation of truth since truth does not vary. We may add that which is in our culture or nature to how we live that truth, but we must never supplant God's word. Customs and doctrines are extremely important. They were founded in the New Covenant by God and written in Scripture. They are also in our minds and on our hearts, so that we have clarity in how we live and please God. In various parts of the world there are important and good traditions as to how things are done. Paul admonished Timothy to hold fast to the pattern of sound words they heard from him. Timothy was told to commit those words to those who followed him, not to argue over words, avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, but to set a pattern of behaviour that is godly. It is good to be strong in the things we have learned if those things are true and godly. This war is not over (2 Tim. 3:13-17). Tradition, tradition, there is good and bad - keep that which is good and teach others.