Welcome to Timeless Truth with Pastor Jim Thomas. In season 2, Pastor Jim is leading us in a study of Mark. Today’s passage is Mark 7:1-13.
1. The Treadmill of Traditionalism v. 1-7
“Tradition is the living faith of those now dead. Traditionalism is the dead faith of those still living.”
– Jaroslav Pelikan, The Vindication of Tradition
Tradition in itself is not a bad thing. It’s the “ism” that becomes the problem.
2. The Arrogance of Addendum v. 8-13
“Pharisaic righteousness was an outward conformity to human traditions; Christian righteousness is an inward conformity of mind and heart to the revealed will of God.”
– John Stott, Christ the Controversialist
You are leaning into legalism when you try to:
- Control the Word of God and the behavior of others
- Complicate the Word of God by adding superfluous application.
- Contradict the Word of God by denying grace or a range of latitude in application.
“Pastors need themselves to have been mastered by the unconditional grace of God. From them the vestiges of a self-defensive pharisaism and conditionalism need to be torn. Like the Savior they need to handle bruised reeds without breaking them and dimly burning wicks without quenching them. What is a godly pastor, after all, but one who is like God, with a heart of grace; someone who sees God bringing prodigals home and runs to embrace them, weeps for joy that they have been brought home, and kisses them—asking no questions—no qualifications or conditions required?”
– Sinclair Ferguson, The Whole of Christ
