Traditions shape much of what we do—not only in our church lives but also in our daily routines. From the way we celebrate holidays to the songs we sing in worship, traditions provide structure and meaning to our actions. They connect us to the past, anchor us in the present, and guide us toward the future. However, for many Protestants, the word “tradition” carries a weight of suspicion. Historical abuses of power in the medieval Roman Catholic Church—such as adding non-biblical practices to the faith—have led some to reject the idea of tradition altogether, viewing it as a potential threat to the purity of Scripture.
While this caution is understandable, it’s important to see church tradition not as a rival to Scripture but as its faithful companion. Far from being the enemy of biblical truth, tradition is essential for understanding, interpreting, and living out the faith once delivered to the saints.
Why We Need Church Tradition
The Bible is a divine text, but it is also a human text. It doesn’t interpret itself; it requires readers, guided by the Holy Spirit, to uncover its meaning. Over the centuries, Christians have approached Scripture with great reverence, but they have not always agreed on its interpretation. This is why we have so many denominations—each one reflecting a particular way of understanding the Bible.
Tradition serves as a guide through this interpretive challenge. The early church faced the same need for clarity and unity, particularly in the face of heresies that distorted the gospel message. Out of these struggles came the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed, declarations of faith that continue to anchor the essentials of Christian belief. These creeds were not arbitrary inventions but carefully crafted summaries of biblical truth, forged in the fires of controversy to protect the apostolic witness recorded in the New Testament.
Essentials and Non-Essentials
In a world with so many expressions of Christianity, it is crucial to recognize the difference between the essentials and the non-essentials of the faith. The essentials—such as the Trinity, the divinity and humanity of Christ, and the resurrection—are non-negotiable and are embraced by all orthodox Christian traditions. They unite Catholics, Protestants, and Orthodox believers as one body.
In contrast, non-essentials—such as worship styles, church governance, and views on baptism—allow for diversity. This flexibility is not a weakness but a strength, reflecting the breadth and depth of the body of Christ. As the 17th-century theologian Rupertus Meldenius famously said, “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.”
Love as the Foundation
Church tradition, when rightly understood, is a gift that helps us navigate the complexities of faith and life. It reminds us that we are part of a much larger story—one that spans centuries and continents. It connects us with the saints who came before us and the believers who will come after us.
Ultimately, tradition is not about rigidity but about love. It teaches us to love God with all our hearts, minds, and souls and to love our neighbors as ourselves. In preserving the essentials, tradition keeps us grounded; in allowing liberty in non-essentials, it helps us flourish; and in encouraging love in all things, it calls us to live as Christ’s disciples in a broken world.
Let us embrace tradition—not as a burden but as a blessing, not as a limitation but as a path to freedom in Christ.
