Traditional and/or Biblical

Posted by on August 5, 2012 under Front Page Posts, Sermons

Wednesday, August 1 was interesting.  It was called Chick-Fil-A Appreciation Day by Mike Huckabee, but there was much more than appreciation for chicken sandwiches involved in that day.  Friends sent me the images from the long lines.  Standing in line to get chicken obviously represented more than buying lunch.  Who posts images of what they are having for lunch on an ordinary day?

I won’t rehash the events of the day.  That has been done by others.  I will offer this observation: I was encouraged that a conversation was taking place about the things that people believe.  I do not agree with critics who declared the entire day was only an exercise in mass hysteria.  Regardless of whether one appreciates Chick-Fil-A or not, one has to agree that there were expressions of belief about multiple topics.  For example, there were discussions about free speech, free enterprise, the definition of marriage – those were the obvious topics.  But there were also discussions about love, hate, hunger and poverty.  I am sure there were examples of bad behavior, but critics will have a hard time trying to claim that everyone involved was mean spirited and hysterical.  There are examples of good behavior and goodwill from both protestors and supporters.  What makes the good behavior exceptional is that it took place around a confrontation of belief and a conviction that some things are right and some things are wrong.

Since the first century, Christians have been most like the Lord when they express conviction through words and deeds and do it without resorting to fear, anxiety, name-calling, or compulsion.

1 Peter 3:13-16 — 13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 

Biblical is sometimes Traditional, and sometimes it is not.

As followers of Jesus Christ, we believe and strive to live out His vision for marriage – among other things.  As disciples of Christ, I prefer that we make his vision our standard rather than saying that our standard is “the traditional view.”  I mean no disrespect or disagreement to anyone who has used those terms.  In most cases, I think I know what they mean.  I admit to quibbling here, but the sources matter and traditional and biblical are not always the same thing.  I believe the followers of Christ must point to the teachings of Christ and the revelation of God.  For, in some cultures “the tradition” of marriage does not always resemble Christ’s vision for marriage.  In some societies, the traditional view of marriage is one in which a man has many wives.  That is their tradition.  In some societies, the husband completely dominates the life of his wife – that is the tradition.  Tradition does not always equal Christ’s vision.

That was the case in the first century in at least two situations:

1. Ephesians 5 – Paul and the household code.  Teaching Christ’s vision for relationship – creation and gospel or the “traditional cultural view” . . .

  1. The traditional view was the Greco-Roman household instructions, such as those promoted by Aristotle.  In that view husbands and fathers are the paterfamilias and therefore like the ruler of a small city-state.
  2. The biblical view introduces a new concept based on the gospel.  That is submitting to one another (v.21).  The role of husband and wife is informed by the Genesisstory, the gospel, and the example of Christ and church

2. Pharisees (Matt. 19:1-12) – Traditional had gotten in the way of truth.  (And this was among the so-called “People of God”):

  1. The traditional view included the provision for the Bill of Divorce (Dt. 24:1) and the rabbinical debate on the definition of indecency.
  2. The biblical view (Jesus’ View) included creation, the disposition of one’s heart (Mt. 5:28) in matters of indecency, the option of celibacy or marriage as God calls and empowers (19:12).