Justifying our Traditions

[*AQuietPlace*]

This is a question I often ask myself when I'm studying a subject:

(from this blog: )


"Sometimes I ask myself of certain teachings/traditions, “If I was not raised as a Oneness Pentecostal, and was freshly converted to Christianity, would I think this teaching/tradition was clearly taught in Scripture? Would I be persuaded by the evidence that I am offering others in defense of this teaching/tradition?” Sometimes the answer is yes, and sometimes the answer is no. While it is painful to come to the conclusion that your religious tradition is mistaken on some point or points, intellectual honesty and true Christianity requires that be more interested in the truth than in justifying our religious heritage."


More HERE

This guy has a really, really good blog!

(thanks, Mizpeh!)

[Digging4Truth]

Indeed... it is an excellent article

It is a disconcerting thing when one finds out that they are kicking against truth. The path I used to demand was the path of the traditions I was taught.

I do not fight against those paths. But I no longer prefer them over truth.

[*AQuietPlace*]

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

Indeed... it is an excellent article

It is a disconcerting thing when one finds out that they are kicking against truth. The path I used to demand was the path of the traditions I was taught.

I do not fight against those paths. But I no longer prefer them over truth.

Amen.

[ManOfWord]

The problem is that when "traditions" have been majored on for so long and then proof texted to death, it is very difficult to back up and look at them objectively. Especially when salvation has been tied to them. This fact alone, is cause for enough fear to not even question them and is one of the reasons so many people come to AFF.

Add to that the fact that people have been "preached" out of churches, publicly reprimanded, and their unquestioning obedience has been demanded, and it is not hard to see why these traditions continue to hold the focus and attention that they do.

I believe in unquestionable loyalty, not unquestionable obedience or submission. There is a vast difference.

[Jeffrey]

Originally Posted by ManOfWord

The problem is that when "traditions" have been majored on for so long and then proof texted to death, it is very difficult to back up and look at them objectively. Especially when salvation has been tied to them. This fact alone, is cause for enough fear to not even question them and is one of the reasons so many people come to AFF.

Add to that the fact that people have been "preached" out of churches, publicly reprimanded, and their unquestioning obedience has been demanded, and it is not hard to see why these traditions continue to hold the focus and attention that they do.

I believe in unquestionable loyalty, not unquestionable obedience or submission. There is a vast difference.

Explain how those two parse themselves out.

My loyalty and submission is ultimately to Truth.

[ManOfWord]

Originally Posted by Jeffrey

Explain how those two parse themselves out.

My loyalty and submission is ultimately to Truth.

Of course my loyalty is first of all to Jesus Christ, who IS truth. However, I also have people to work with down here.

I can be loyal and still disagree. I can be loyal and express my disagreement. I can be loyal and support someone in the midst of their faults while not excusing their faults.

I am loyal to those over me and always have been, whether I agreed or not. If the disagreement was too pointed to continue the relationship, I gracefully bowed out remaining loyal. My "employees" can expect unquestionable loyalty from me and I expect it of them. That being the case, I have still had to terminate people, but I have NEVER trashed them to the congregation.

[mizpeh]

Originally Posted by ManOfWord

Of course my loyalty is first of all to Jesus Christ, who IS truth. However, I also have people to work with down here.

I can be loyal and still disagree. I can be loyal and express my disagreement. I can be loyal and support someone in the midst of their faults while not excusing their faults.

I am loyal to those over me and always have been, whether I agreed or not. If the disagreement was too pointed to continue the relationship, I gracefully bowed out remaining loyal. My "employees" can expect unquestionable loyalty from me and I expect it of them. That being the case, I have still had to terminate people, but I have NEVER trashed them to the congregation.

Do you remain loyal when they aren't loyal to you and trash you?

[Jeffrey]

Originally Posted by ManOfWord

Of course my loyalty is first of all to Jesus Christ, who IS truth. However, I also have people to work with down here.

I can be loyal and still disagree. I can be loyal and express my disagreement. I can be loyal and support someone in the midst of their faults while not excusing their faults.

I am loyal to those over me and always have been, whether I agreed or not. If the disagreement was too pointed to continue the relationship, I gracefully bowed out remaining loyal. My "employees" can expect unquestionable loyalty from me and I expect it of them. That being the case, I have still had to terminate people, but I have NEVER trashed them to the congregation.

Okay. Thanks for the response.

[mizpeh]

You're welcome.

[Jeffrey]

Who is Jason Dulle?