Traditions

(Gal 1:14 KJV)  And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.

(Proverbs 1 also read)

We read here a description of Paul’s background given by Paul himself.  He is holding up his academic credentials as being very powerful.  Later he will point out that they were not his mark of apostleship.  What I found interesting was his “fathers” (ancestral NASB) (3967) “traditions” (3862).  These are what Jesus called the “traditions of the elders” and He said it in a condemning way.  Until he met Jesus, Paul was proud of his education.  Afterwards he realized it was built on sand.

The point is not to badmouth education.  The point is to realize that much of what we learn and think is true is really just the opinions of other people.  How much of what we believe as Christians is based in the Bible and how much is rooted in our theological traditions?  It can be an important question.

So?  Traditions can be helpful.  They can also distract us from the key things we should be living and teaching.  Run what you hear and read through your Bible and then accept or reject.