Examples of Beneficial Human Traditions in Modern Christianity
Beneficial human traditions in Christianity often involve practices that foster community, aid the needy, and encourage spiritual growth. These traditions, while not earning salvation, serve to edify believers and demonstrate Christian virtues [5, 6].
One significant tradition is hospitality, which was highly valued in the ancient world and is frequently encouraged in Scripture [3]. The Jewish laws, for instance, emphasized compassion for strangers, reminding the Israelites of their own experience as strangers in Egypt [3]. The New Testament similarly exhorts believers to "practice hospitality" and "share with the saints who are in need" [1]. The apostle Paul, in 1 Timothy, commends women who have "been hospitable to strangers" and "relieved the afflicted" as part of their good works [2]. Barnabas is presented in Acts as an example of generous giving to meet needs within the Christian community, illustrating this principle [10].
Another beneficial tradition is diligence in various aspects of Christian life. This includes diligently seeking God, obeying His commands, striving for spiritual perfection, and cultivating Christian graces [4]. Diligence is also applied to practical matters such as keeping one's heart, engaging in lawful business, and performing "labours of love" [4]. This commitment to good works is not seen as a means to merit grace but as a natural outflow of faith [5, 6].
Furthermore, traditions that promote beneficence and works of mercy are considered vital. Early Christian writers, such as Lactantius, emphasized that true justice and the proper use of wealth involve contributing to the welfare of many rather than solely for individual pleasure [8]. Tertullian noted the value of collecting and sharing "ancient illustrations of faith" to honor God and strengthen believers, suggesting a tradition of learning from past examples [7]. Augustine also recognized the power of habits in shaping human minds, indicating that even positive habits, when widely adopted, can effectively influence conduct [9]. These traditions collectively contribute to the edification of the church and the demonstration of Christian love in the world.
Sources
- Romans “Romans 12:13 (BSB) — Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
- 1 Timothy “being approved by good works, if she has brought up children, if she has been hospitable to strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, and if she has diligently followed every good work. -- 1 Timothy 5:10”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Hospitality — Hospitality was regarded by most nations of the ancient world as one of the chief virtues. The Jewish laws respecting strangers (Leviticus 19:33,34) and the poor, (Leviticus 23:14) seq. Deuteronomy 15:7 And concerning redemption (Leviticus 25:23) seq., etc. are framed in accordance with the spirit of hospitality. In the law compassion to strangers is constantly enforced by the words "for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt." (Leviticus 19:34) And before the law, Abraham's entertainment of the angels, (Genesis 18:1) seq., and Lot's, (Genesis 19:1) are ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Diligence — Christ, an example -- Mr 1:35; Lu 2:49. Required by God in Seeking him. -- 1Ch 22:19; Heb 11:6. Obeying him. -- De 6:17; 11:13. Hearkening to him. -- Isa 55:2. Striving after perfection. -- Php 3:13,14. Cultivating Christian graces. -- 2Pe 1:5. Keeping the souls. -- De 4:9. Keeping the heart. -- Pr 4:23. Labours of love. -- Heb 6:10-12. Following every good work. -- 1Ti 5:10. Guarding against defilement. -- Heb 12:15. Seeking to be found spotless. -- 2Pe 3:14. Making our call, &c, sure. -- 2Pe 1:10. Self-examination. -- Ps 77:6. Lawful business. -- Pr 27:”
- Augsburg Confession (Lutheran) “Augsburg Confession (Lutheran, 1530), 21 Thus, therefore, they have taught that by the observance of: 21 Thus, therefore, they have taught that by the observance of human traditions we cannot merit grace or be justified, and hence we must not think such observances necessary acts of worship. 22 They add hereunto testimonies of Scripture. Christ, Matt. 15:3, defends the Apostles who had not observed the usual tradition, which, however, evidently pertains to a matter not unlawful, but indifferent, and to have a certain affinity with the purifications of the Law, and says, Matt. 15:9, In vain do ”
- Augsburg Confession (Lutheran) “Augsburg Confession (Lutheran, 1530), 3 They are admonished also that human traditions instituted to: 3 They are admonished also that human traditions instituted to propitiate God, to merit grace, and to make satisfaction for sins, are opposed to the Gospel and the doctrine of faith. Wherefore vows and traditions concerning meats and 4 days, etc., instituted to merit grace and to make satisfaction for sins, are useless and contrary to the Gospel.”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 3: Tertullian — PREFACE.[1] (part 1): IF ancient illustrations of faith which both testify to God's grace and tend to man's edification are collected in writing, so that by the perusal of them, as if by the reproduction of the facts, as well God may be honoured, as man may be strengthened; why should not new instances be also collected, that shall be equally suitable for both purposes,--if only on the ground that these modern examples will one day become ancient and available for posterity, although in their present time they are esteemed of less authority, by reason of the presumed ve”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 7: Lactantius, Venantius, Asterius, Victorinus, Dionysius — CHAP. XII.--OF THE KINDS OF BENEFICENCE, AND WORKS OF MERCY. (part 1): This is that perfect justice which protects human society, concerning which philosophers 176 speak. This is the chief and truest advantage of riches; not to use wealth for the particular, pleasure of an individual, but for the welfare of many; not for one's own immediate enjoyment, but for justice, which alone does not perish. We must therefore by all means keep in mind, that the hope of receiving in return must be altogether absent from the duty of showing”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 3: Augustine — On the Holy Trinity — THE PROFIT OF BELIEVING. (part 41): by these a multitude of believers having been gathered together and spread abroad, authority might be turned with effect upon habits. 35. But any habits whatever have so great power to hold possession of men's minds, that even what in them are evil, which usually takes place through excess of lusts, we can sooner disapprove of and hate, than desert or change. Do you think that little hath been done for the benefit of man, that not some few very learned men maintain by argument, but also an unlearned crowd of mal”
- Acts (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Acts 4:36: 4:36-37 Barnabas is held up as an example of generous, unselfish giving in response to the genuine needs in the Christian community.”