What Church traditions are not Biblical?

Argue for and against Christianity

Moderator: Moderators

User avatar
otseng
Savant
Posts: 20855
Joined: Thu Jan 15, 2004 1:16 pm
Location: Atlanta, GA
Has thanked: 214 times
Been thanked: 366 times
Contact:

What Church traditions are not Biblical?

Post #1

Post by otseng »

This topic was inspired by Traditions of men. Originally I was going to start this thread in the HH room, but perhaps some non-Christians would have some good insight to share also. Then I was going to put it into the Random Ramblings, but I can see this topic headed towards areas of debate. So, I'm putting this here.

I pointed out one example in the other thread of a tradition that is not Biblical, the tradition of the "altar call". Nowhere in the Bible does it mention a preacher asking a congregation to close their eyes, hold up their hands for prayer, and then walk forward to the altar to get prayed over.

So, the questions for debate are:
What Church traditions are not Biblical?
Which of these should the Church stop doing? Why?
How should it be decided for a church to continue a tradition, even if it is not Biblical?

User avatar
Amadeus
Scholar
Posts: 356
Joined: Wed Nov 03, 2004 5:37 pm
Location: Southern California

Post #21

Post by Amadeus »

I don't see what is wrong with the Church following traditions not found in the Bible, just as long as they don't contradict it.

Altar calls can be a really moving experience, and I think a person would be more willing to come up for prayer if they were invited first.

When Jesus spoke of traditions, He admonished us not to forget the reason they were instilled, and not to think they are so important that they keep us from doing things that are more important to God.

jimvansage
Apprentice
Posts: 137
Joined: Sat Aug 11, 2012 11:39 pm
Location: Sesser, IL

a capella = at church

Post #22

Post by jimvansage »

The Christian church did not use instruments in worship until after 600 AD (therefore it is not an original apostolic tradition)
They are not found in the worship of the church in the New Testament, nor are they commanded.

It's pointless to debate the issue unless you recognize that the Old Testament ordinances were nailed to the cross (Col. 2:14), and as the law is dead to Christians by the cross, so are Christians dead to the Law of Moses in Christ (Rom. 7:4).

User avatar
East of Eden
Under Suspension
Posts: 7032
Joined: Sat Mar 28, 2009 11:25 pm
Location: Albuquerque, NM

Post #23

Post by East of Eden »

A celibate priesthood is unbiblical, and has had disastrous results with priest shortages and the famous sex scandals.

"It is not good for man to be alone."
"We are fooling ourselves if we imagine that we can ever make the authentic Gospel popular......it is too simple in an age of rationalism; too narrow in an age of pluralism; too humiliating in an age of self-confidence; too demanding in an age of permissiveness; and too unpatriotic in an age of blind nationalism." Rev. John R.W. Stott, CBE

User avatar
McCulloch
Site Supporter
Posts: 24063
Joined: Mon May 02, 2005 9:10 pm
Location: Toronto, ON, CA
Been thanked: 3 times

Post #24

Post by McCulloch »

The title "Reverend". Funky colored costumes with tassels for those who lead the congregation in reciting public prayers.
Matthew 6:5-8 wrote:[font=Georgia]
“When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

“And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.
[/font]
Matthew 23:1-12 wrote:[font=Georgia]
Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples, saying: “ The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses; therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them. They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger. But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments. They love the place of honor at banquets and the chief seats in the synagogues, and respectful greetings in the market places, and being called Rabbi by men. But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ. But the greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.
[/font]
Image
Somehow, I just don't get the feeling that Jesus was encouraging these folks' costumes.
Examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good.
First Epistle to the Church of the Thessalonians
The truth will make you free.
Gospel of John

User avatar
East of Eden
Under Suspension
Posts: 7032
Joined: Sat Mar 28, 2009 11:25 pm
Location: Albuquerque, NM

Post #25

Post by East of Eden »

McCulloch wrote: The title "Reverend". Funky colored costumes with tassels for those who lead the congregation in reciting public prayers.
Matthew 6:5-8 wrote:[font=Georgia]
“When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

“And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.
[/font]
Matthew 23:1-12 wrote:[font=Georgia]
Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples, saying: “ The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses; therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them. They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger. But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments. They love the place of honor at banquets and the chief seats in the synagogues, and respectful greetings in the market places, and being called Rabbi by men. But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ. But the greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.
[/font]
Image
Somehow, I just don't get the feeling that Jesus was encouraging these folks' costumes.
Some people just like to dress up and call attention to themselves.
"We are fooling ourselves if we imagine that we can ever make the authentic Gospel popular......it is too simple in an age of rationalism; too narrow in an age of pluralism; too humiliating in an age of self-confidence; too demanding in an age of permissiveness; and too unpatriotic in an age of blind nationalism." Rev. John R.W. Stott, CBE

Dantalion
Guru
Posts: 1588
Joined: Mon May 28, 2012 3:37 pm

Post #26

Post by Dantalion »

East of Eden wrote:
McCulloch wrote: The title "Reverend". Funky colored costumes with tassels for those who lead the congregation in reciting public prayers.
Matthew 6:5-8 wrote:[font=Georgia]
“When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

“And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.
[/font]
Matthew 23:1-12 wrote:[font=Georgia]
Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples, saying: “ The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses; therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them. They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger. But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments. They love the place of honor at banquets and the chief seats in the synagogues, and respectful greetings in the market places, and being called Rabbi by men. But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ. But the greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.
[/font]
Image
Somehow, I just don't get the feeling that Jesus was encouraging these folks' costumes.
Some people just like to dress up and call attention to themselves.
Fair enough, but if I wear a red cap as the official 'outfit' of my position in a church, and that churches religion is based on the teachings of a man who spoke out against the wearing of red caps in a pretty harsh manner,
thn *Lewis Black fustercluck face* what am I doing here ?

Post Reply