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Traditions
of Men
Versus
The
Word
of God
Published by
Fax: 817-481-7809
Email:
starbible.pub@juno.com
Or Visit Them At:
www.starbible.com
Copyright 1996, A. Jennings.
It is now in it's Eighth
Printing
as of December 1998, 40M
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 About
The Author
Meet Bro. Jennings
Here
Alvin Jennings has been taught the word of
God the sacred writings, from a babe. He has beenpreaching and teaching
these "same things committed unto him" (2 Tim 2:2) for almost 50 years.
In addition to his studies of the Bible, he has been an avid student of
church history. His training includes a BA in Bible from Abilene Christian
University and an MA in Church History from Christian Theological Seminary
, Indianapolis.
Mr. Jennings now resides in Ft. Worth, Texas, where he devotes his time
principally to writing and publishing. He is married to the former Ellen
Kristianson and is the father of five and the grandfather of sixteen children
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TRADITIONS
"Traditions" as used in this book are religious
laws and regulations originating in the minds of men and handed down orallyand/or
in printing from generation to generation. Jesus frequently denounced such
traditions and warned disciples that following them makes the word of God
"of none effect" (see Matthew 15:2, 3, 6; Mark 7;3, 5, 8, 9, 13; Colossians
2:8; 1 Peter1:18; Galatians 1:14.
"Paradosis" is a Greek word translated tradition. It is defined as that
which is given over or handed down by word of mouth or in writing, and
can refer to the substance of teaching from whatever source, including
the Divine (2 Thessalonians 2:15; 3:6; 1 Corinthians 11:2). This is not
the sense in which Jesus used the term in his denunciations, nor is it
the way in which it will be used in this book.
Explanation Concerning Documentation
Every statement in this book is documented in authentic
source books recognized and respected by leaders in each of the religious
groups represented. Page numbers will not be the same in some instances
due to different printing editions used by the author of this volume, as
compared with the editions that may be referred to by the readers.
FOREWARD
This little volume has come as a result of a series
of studies presented by the author to a group of mature adults. When a
search began to be made for a thoroughly documented source- book that might
be used as a textbook, it was discovered there was none available. Although
many good books and useful documents proved valuable in the research, there
was nothing which fully documented the tenets of the religious groups under
consideration. It is hoped that in this volume, both teachers and students
who come after will find a reference book that will suffice in conducting
a similar investigation anywhere and anytime.
If we know our heart, this undertaking has not been
prompted by any motive other than a desire to see truth triumph over error,
and to see God's name and way honored and glorified among men who love
truth. We have not sought personal triumph in truth, but rather victory
for God and His Word. He is convinced that opposition to the traditions
of men should not be an occasion for one's vain display of personal talents
or mental capacities, nor of his proficiency in logic nor ability to manipulate
various passages of Scripture.
The truth of Christ requires no defense. Thus, we
do not assail the position of another merely to defend our own. This is
not necessary. The more frequently truth clashes with error, the brighter
it will shine. The closer the two are brought side by side, the more apparent
the difference becomes, and the more brilliant truth's lustre shall glow.
No Christian can maintain a neutral or passive attitude
toward false ways. Through knowing God's Word he must conclude with David
that he "hates every false way." He opposes error in a militant manner,
as fervently as he em- braces truth. His thinking must be both positive
and negative.
Since the traditional errors originated by men are
aggressively advocated by them and their followers, they will not die a
natural death nor can we ignore them and expect them to go away. Error
ceaselessly seeks to corrupt and neutralize the truth, and to destroy all
whom it enmeshes in its tenacles. The great and final reason then for opposing
error with truth is to deliver precious souls from its curses and to save
them from bondage to freedom, from darkness to eternal light.
We have freely used quotations from many writers,
to whom we gratefully acknowledge our indebtedness. We have done
this deliberately, that the principal authorities and spokesmen of the
various religious denominations might be allowed to "speak for themselves."
No room has been left for doubting what they believe and teach.
Our aim has been always to "speak the truth in love," although we
have realized that with the two-edged sword of the Spirit, we were piercing
fiercely and fatally the untrue doctrines and commandments of men. We have
not attacked men personally, for our wrestling is not against flesh and
blood, but against the principles and powers of wickedness (Ephesians 6).
Thus we commit our efforts to their mission with the sincere prayer that
God shall be honored, and that precious souls will be constrained to turn
to the Lord and to "the faith once delivered unto the saints" (Jude 3).
PREFACE
It Does Make a Difference What Man Believes
and How Man Worships God
The
earliest clash between man's idea and God's word in choosing a form of
worship is recorded in Genesis 4:2-8. Later, Jude referred to "the way
of Cain" (vs. 11) and the apostle John spoke of Cain's wickedness who slew
his brother "because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous"
(1 John 3:12). God, in observing Cain's anger and unhappy countenance after
he offered the faithless sacrifice, said, "if thou doest well, shalt thou
not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door" (Genesis
4:7). Cain sinned by transgressing God's law (1 John 3:4), by substituting
his own way of worship for God's way. Those who follow in the way of Cain
have not learned that God's ways and thoughts are not the same as man's
(Isaiah 55:8-9), and that to worship by a form that is pleasing to man
will be followed by disastrous consequences. Those who are determined to
worship God ac- cording to His holy Word will be honored and rewarded like
Abel of whom it is said, "By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent
sacrifice than Cain . . ." (Hebrews 11:4). His faith came by hearing God's
word (Romans 10:17).
Through the centuries we see man standing with the two ways before
him. God's way on the one hand, perhaps appearing narrow and difficult
with only a few following. On the other hand, there is the popular way,
the broad way, the way that seems right to men, but it is the way of death
(Jer. 10:23, Prov. 14:12). God's spokesmen are ever calling for men to
"stand in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good
way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls" (Jeremiah
6.16).
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