Traditions That Undermine the Authority of Scripture
Traditions That Undermine the Authority of Scripture
Jesus confronted the Pharisees about their traditions that undermined the authority of Scripture, saying, "making void the word of God by your tradition, which you have handed down" [1]. This criticism is echoed in Matthew 15:6, where Jesus states that the Pharisees "invalidated the word of God for the sake of your tradition" [2]. The issue at stake is not the tradition itself, but how it can supplant or contradict the divine authority of Scripture.
The Tyndale House commentary on Mark 7:13 notes that Jesus' criticism was not an isolated instance, but rather one example among many where human traditions conflicted with God's word [3]. This commentary highlights the tension between adhering to human traditions and upholding the authority of Scripture. Similarly, the Jamieson, Fausset & Brown commentary on Matthew 15:3 observes that the Pharisees' tradition not only transgressed God's commandment but also undermined the authority of God's law [5].
The problem of traditions undermining Scripture is not limited to the Pharisees. John Gill's commentary on Isaiah 59:13 notes that some individuals "transgress the doctrine of Christ, as well as the law of God, and deny him the only Lord God" [6]. This commentary suggests that the issue persists in various forms throughout history. The Tyndale House commentary on Psalms 125:3 further notes that the godly may be tempted to compromise their faith due to peer pressure and cultural domination [7].
The Baptist/Reformed tradition, as represented by John Gill's commentary on Matthew 15:2, understands the Pharisees' traditions as human innovations that contradict God's law. According to Gill, the Pharisees accused Jesus' disciples of breaking the "tradition of the elders," referring to the teachings of Hillel and Shammai [8]. This highlights the danger of elevating human traditions to the same level as Scripture.
The Protestant academic tradition, as seen in the Tyndale House commentary on Revelation 22:18, emphasizes the importance of preserving the integrity of Scripture. The commentary notes that John issues a curse upon anyone who alters the contents or message of the book of Revelation, highlighting the seriousness of protecting the biblical text [4].
Sources
- Mark “making void the word of God by your tradition, which you have handed down. You do many things like this.” -- Mark 7:13”
- Matthew “Matthew 15:6 (NASB) — he is not to honor his father or his mother.' And by this you invalidated the word of God for the sake of your tradition.”
- Mark (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Mark 7:13: 7:13 The result of such traditions was to cancel the word of God. • only one example among many others: It was not an isolated instance; see, e.g., Isa 1:10-20; 58:1-14.”
- Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 22:18: 22:18-19 I solemnly declare: John issues an oath to protect the integrity of the book of Revelation. He declares a curse upon anyone who alters the contents of the book or its message (cp. Deut 4:2; 12:32). The curse contrasts with the statement of blessing on all who read aloud, listen to, and obey the prophecy (Rev 1:3). At the time Revelation was written, scribes would sometimes alter books to suit their own views. Early Christians quickly developed means of authenticating both messages and messengers (see John 21:24; 1 Cor 16:21; Gal 6:11; Col 4:18; 2 The”
- Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 15:3: But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?--The charge is retorted with startling power: "The tradition they transgress is but man's, and is itself the occasion of heavy transgression, undermining the authority of God's law."”
- Isaiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Isaiah 59:13: In transgressing and lying against the Lord,.... The word of the Lord, as the Targum; they transgress the doctrine of Christ, as well as the law of God, and deny him the only Lord God, even our Lord Jesus Christ, his proper deity, his righteousness, and satisfaction, which is notorious in our days; so the Syriac version renders it, we have denied the Lord; the Lord that bought them: this is the case of many under a profession of Christ: and departing away from our God: from following him, from walking in his ways, from attending his worship, word, and ordinances;”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 125:3: 125:3 The godly might be tempted through peer pressure and cultural domination.”
- Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 15:2: Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders?.... Having observed, for some little time, the conduct of Christ and his disciples, they thought proper to take no notice of him as yet, but of them; and of them, not as transgressing any command of God, but of men; not being able to charge them with any breach of the law of God: and could they have done this with any show of truth, yet they might choose rather to accuse them of breaking the rules of the elders; by whom they mean, not the elders of the present sanhedrim, but Hillell and Shammai; the two hea”