And thank you for raising the issue of the “doctrines and traditions of men” – one of my favorite subjects. As you know, I personally reject all of the doctrines and traditions of men across the board – and this gives me yet another opportunity to explain why.
God didn’t make us with a “cookie cutter.” Peter was not like Paul who was not like John who was not like doubting Thomas. But Jesus chose each and every one of them. Likewise, in Revelation 2 and 3 – He accepts with commendations and rebukes seven different churches with very different circumstances and challenges.
The apostles themselves had disputes precisely because some of them tried to rationalize Christ to their Jewish traditions, what they reasoned to be “true” despite their being filled with the Holy Spirit. (Acts 15) In other words, there were moments when even the apostles trusted their own reasoning above the revelations of God. Likewise, they insinuated themselves into God’s blessing of the indwelling Holy Spirit and were astonished to see their error (Acts 10 and 11)
Surely no one would question the intent of the Apostles! It appears therefore to be an unfortunate tendency of mortal men to "anthropomorphize" God. Evidently aware of the risk, Paul did not immediately confer with men (Gal 1) but instead received the doctrine directly from God for three years before visiting Peter for 15 days.
Faith and reason are complimentary. But reason cannot substitute for faith.
To see what happens when man wanders beyond the words of God, rationalizing what he doesn’t understand – we need only compare the Talmud to the Tanakh (Torah, writings and prophets.) Or compare the dogma, doctrines and traditions of any Christian Church to Scriptures. No assembly of men is exempt from this tendency which God warns against:
Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands? He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with [their] lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching [for] doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, [as] the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. – Mark 7:5-9
I’ve taken a lot of guff around here - both from atheists and theists - specifically because I value Spiritual revelations above all other kinds of knowledge – including sensory perception and reason.
But how could I not? I’ve known Jesus personally for nigh onto a half century. I love Him, I believe Him, I trust Him. He is not a “hypothetical.” It’s no contest who I believe.
Nevertheless, I praise God for the assemblies of men – the churches (or sheep pens to follow the John 10 metaphor) – when they truly dedicate themselves to Jesus Christ! Some Christians – especially new Christians just beginning their walk with the Lord – do not know the Shepherd well enough yet to follow Him through the gate into the open field or whatever pen (assembly) He chooses for them.
At bottom, we are individual Christians according to His own will, like the Apostles were, each at a different point in our sanctification, each a different part of His body (I Cor 15), each having some – but not all – of the Truth He alone is revealing to us (John 14-17, Romans 8, I Cor 2.)
Therefore, I do not expect any other Christian to see things exactly the same way I do except for our core beliefs. Nor would I suggest that any individual Christian or assembly is at risk for having a different leading in the Spirit.
It is as if we are looking at the same seven-faceted diamond facing different facets. But it is the same diamond and the same Light.
To God be the glory!
I never tire of reading your profession of faith, dear Sister in Christ.
To God be the Glory indeed! Sola de gloria