Human Examples and Traditions Used to Justify Disobedience
Human Examples and Traditions Used to Justify Disobedience
The concept of disobedience is deeply rooted in biblical teachings and has been a subject of discussion among various Christian traditions. according to one tradition, the first instance of disobedience occurred when Adam transgressed God's commandment in the Garden of Eden [2].
In Christian theology, disobedience is considered a fundamental aspect of humanity's fallen nature. The consequences of Adam's disobedience have been passed down to his descendants, resulting in a inherent tendency towards sin [8]. This understanding is reflected in the writings of early Church Fathers, such as Augustine, who noted that humanity's disobedience was justly requited in the rebellion of their own flesh [7].
Various Christian traditions have grappled with the issue of disobedience, particularly in relation to human traditions and examples that may be used to justify it. The Reformed tradition, as represented by John Calvin, emphasizes the importance of obedience to God's voice, citing Jeremiah 7:22-23, where God commands obedience above ritual sacrifices [3]. Similarly, the Lutheran tradition, as expressed in the Augsburg Confession, warns against human traditions that are instituted to propitiate God or merit grace, considering them opposed to the Gospel [5].
The use of human examples to justify disobedience is also a concern in Christian theology. While certain biblical figures, such as Abraham and David, are held up as examples of faith and obedience, others have been cited to justify disobedience. However, according to Augustine, not all examples of saints are to be followed, particularly in cases where they may be misinterpreted or taken out of context [6].
The patristic tradition cautions against the misuse of human examples, emphasizing the importance of discerning between actions that are in line with God's will and those that are not. Tertullian notes that familiarity with certain opinions can lead individuals to disregard clear truths, highlighting the need for careful consideration and discernment [9].
Ultimately, Christian traditions agree that obedience to God's will is paramount, and that human examples and traditions should be evaluated in light of biblical teachings. As Calvin notes, human constitutions and traditions can be oppressive and tyrannical if not grounded in Scripture [4].
The biblical warnings against disobedience are clear, with consequences including provoking God's anger, forfeiting His favor, and bringing a curse [1]. In contrast, obedience is associated with blessings and a right relationship with God. As such, Christian traditions emphasize the importance of carefully evaluating human examples and traditions to ensure they align with biblical teachings and promote obedience to God's will.
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Disobedience to God — Provokes his anger -- Ps 78:10,40; Isa 3:8. Forfeits his favour -- 1Sa 13:14. Forfeits his promised blessings -- Jos 5:6; 1Sa 2:30; Jer 18:10. Brings a curse -- De 11:28; 28:15. A characteristic of the wicked -- Eph 2:2; Tit 1:16; 3:3. The wicked persevere in -- Jer 2:21. Heinousness of, illustrated -- Jer 35:14. Men prone to excuse -- Ge 3:12,13. Shall be punished -- Isa 42:24,25; Heb 2:2. Acknowledge the punishment of, to be just -- Ne 9:32,33; Da 9:10,11,14. Warnings against -- 1Sa 12:15; Jer 12:17. Bitter results of, illustrated -- Jer 9:13,”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Fall of Man, The — By the disobedience of Adam -- Ge 3:6,11,12; Ro 5:12,15,19. Through temptation of the devil -- Ge 3:1-5; 2Co 11:3; 1Ti 2:14. Man in consequence of Made in the image of Adam. -- Ge 5:3; 1Co 15:48,49. Born in sin. -- Job 15:14; 25:4; Ps 51:5; Isa 48:8; Joh 3:6. A child of wrath. -- Eph 2:3. Evil in heart. -- Ge 6:5; 8:21; Jer 16:12; Mt 15:19. Blinded in heart. -- Eph 4:18. Corrupt and perverse in his ways. -- Ge 6:12; Ps 10:5; Ro 3:12-16. Depraved in mind. -- Ro 8:5-7; Eph 4:17; Col 1:21; Tit 1:15. Without understanding. -- Ps 14:2,3; Ro 3:11; 1:31. ”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 92: day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt-offerings or sacrifices; but this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you” ( Jer. 7:22, 23 ). “I earnestly protested unto your fathers, in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, even unto this day, rising early and protesting, saying, Obey my voice” ( Jer. 11:7 ). There are other passages of the same kind, but the most noted of all is, “Hath”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 92: 2413 CHAPTER 10. OF THE POWER OF MAKING LAWS. THE CRUELTY OF THE POPE AND HIS ADHERENTS, IN THIS RESPECT, IN TYRANNICALLY OPPRESSING AND DESTROYING SOULS. This chapter treats,—I. Of human constitutions in general. Of the distinction between Civil and Ecclesiastical Laws. Of conscience, why and in what sense ministers cannot impose laws on the conscience, sec. 1-8. II. Of traditions or Popish constitutions relating to ceremonies and discipline. The many vices inherent in them, sec. 9-17. Arguments in favour of those traditions refut”
- 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) “NPNF1 Vol 2: Augustine — City of God, Christian Doctrine — CHAP. 26.--THAT IN CERTAIN PECULIAR CASES THE EXAMPLES OF THE SAINTS ARE NOT TO BE FOLLOWED. (part 1): But, they say, in the time of persecution some holy women escaped those who menaced them with outrage, by casting themselves into rivers which they knew would drown them; and having died in this manner, they are venerated in the church catholic as martyrs. Of such persons I do not presume to speak rashly. I cannot tell whether there may not have been vouchsafed to the church some divine authority, proved by trustworthy evidences, for ”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 5: Augustine — Anti-Pelagian — CHAP. 7 [VI.]--MAN'S DISOBEDIENCE JUSTLY REQUITED IN THE REBELLION OF HIS OWN FLESH; THE BLUSH OF SHAME FOR THE DISOBEDIENT MEMBERS OF THE BODY. (part 1): When the first man transgressed the law of God, he began to have another law in his members which was repugnant to the law of his mind, and he felt the evil of his own disobedience when he experienced in the disobedience of his flesh a most righteous retribution recoiling on himself. Such, then, was "the opening of his eyes" which the serpent had promised him in his temptation (8)--the knowledge, in f”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 46: was given. 203 It cannot be the law as written on the heart; for those die who have never committed any personal sin. There are penal evils, therefore, which come upon all mankind prior to anything in their state or conduct to merit such infliction. The ground of that infliction must therefore be sought out of themselves, i.e. , in the sin of their first parent. Hence Adam is the type of Christ. As the one is the head and representative of his race, so the other is the head and representative of his people. As the sin of the one is the gr”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 4: Tertullian IV, Minucius Felix, Commodian, Origen — CHAP. LII.: Strife and prejudice are powerful instruments in leading men to disregard even those things which are abundantly clear; so that they who have somehow become familiar with certain opinions, which have deeply imbued their minds, and stamped them with a certain character, will not give them up. For a man will abandon his habits in respect to other things, although it may be difficult for him to tear himself from them, more easily than he will surrender his opinions. Nay, even the former are not easily put aside by those who”