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Traditions of Men
Versus The
Word of
God
Published
by
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817-481-7809
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Copyright 1996,
A. Jennings.
It is now in it's Eighth
Printing
as of December 1998,
40M |
 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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