But It’s Always Been Like This
thus invalidating the word of God by your tradition which you have handed down; and you do many things such as that.” Mark 7:13 NASB
By your tradition – How much of what you do every day is the product of what has been given to you rather than what you originated? The school motto you learned. The way you cook a roast. The recipe for cookies. The place your family gathers together. The career you “chose.” The blessing you say at meals. The time your children are sent to bed. The kind of drink you prefer. The clothes you buy. The television shows you watch most often.
Is there anything wrong with these traditions? Probably not, until they interfere with the intentions God has in mind. Tradition is the Greek word, parádosis. It really just means “what is handed down.” It comes from the Greek root dídōmi, a very important and powerful word used to describe God’s gift, among other things. But when Yeshua speaks about the negative effects of parádosis, he is really doing what the prophets did before him, calling the people back to the foundation, the Torah of Moses. This makes perfect sense from a Jewish perspective. “Return to the ways of God for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand,” is a familiar Jewish message. But something happens when this same Jewish prophetic voice gets interpreted by a Christian worldview. Tradition gets expanded to include a great deal of Moses. Notice the comment of Büschel in the TDNT:
parádosis.
- This word for “tradition” means “what is transmitted” rather than “transmission” in the NT. It has an unfavorable sense when used of the tradition that is added to the law, e.g., that of the elders in Mk. 7:3, 5, or of men in Mk. 7:8. Jesus rejects the validity of additions to the divine law. The use is more comprehensive in Gal. 1:14, embracing written as well as unwritten traditions.
- Christian teaching is also tradition in 1 Cor. 11:2; 2 Th. 2:15. It must be adhered to by the churches (1 Cor. 15:2). To be valid it must be handed down (1 Cor. 15:3) and must derive from the Lord (11:23), i.e., it must have divine authority. One may see from 1 Cor. 15:3ff. and 11:23ff. that it is older than Paul and is already acquiring a fixed form in his day.[1]
Is Büschel speaking out of both sides of his mouth at the same time? The traditions of the elders are bad because they add to the law of Moses, but Christian traditions must be adhered to. Aren’t Christian traditions the same as the additions of the elders? Where did Sunday worship come from? Why do we celebrate Easter or Christmas? Why can you only be baptized once? Who told you the communion was like the last supper? In fact, who told you there was a “last” supper? When did you investigate that myth about the “upper room”? Why are there praise and worship songs? Who told you the tithe was ten percent? No, if the traditions of the elders are a problem, so are the traditions of the Reformers or the Catholics or any other human religious organization. Yeshua pushed for Moses. Is that your code? Or have you added a bit here and there, just because it’s always been that way?
Topical Index: tradition, parádosis, Mark 7:13
[1] Kittel, G., Friedrich, G., & Bromiley, G. W. (1985). Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 168). Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans.
