Day 43: Scripture and Tradition, The Final Court of Appeal

Scripture
"He said to them, 'Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, "This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men." You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.' And he said to them, 'You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition!'" Mark 7:6–9 ESV

"But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed." Galatians 1:8 ESV

Confessional Summary
Tradition must be weighed and Scripture is the scale. The Reformers were clear. They honored councils and teachers, but they refused to grant them final authority.

The Westminster Confession locates the last word in “the Holy Spirit speaking in the Scripture” (WCF 1.10). The Belgic Confession insists that Scripture “fully contain[s] the will of God,” and that no custom, antiquity, or council may be treated as equal to God’s truth (Belgic Confession, Article 7).

The Second Helvetic Confession rightly rejects all rival courts of appeal, admitting no judge above God who speaks in the Holy Scriptures (Second Helvetic Confession, ch. II). Even the Thirty-Nine Articles deny the church the right to decree anything “contrary to God’s Word written” (Article XX).

The Reformers did not despise tradition. They simply refused to grant it the final say.

Reflection
In Mark 7, Christ exposes a quiet exchange. The Pharisees did not announce that they were abandoning God’s Word. They surrounded it. Fenced it. Then smothered it under layers of human rule until the commandment of God could be set aside with a clean conscience. Their worship looked careful, even reverent, but it was empty because it was no longer governed by God’s voice.

The problem was not having traditions. Sooner or later, every church ends up with them. The problem is when tradition becomes an authority that can overrule Scripture. Helpful interpretation becomes untouchable dogma faster than we admit.

Paul’s warning in Galatians 1 shuts the door on exceptions. Neither office nor reputation, not even alleged visions, protect a man from error. The test is not the impressiveness of the messenger, but the faithfulness of the message. If it contradicts the gospel already delivered, it is cursed.

The church’s best teachers are those who serve and clarify the Scripture; they do not sit above it.

Application
Put every voice under the Bible, including the voices you respect most. Do not assume a practice is biblical because it is old or a teaching is true because it is popular.

Ask one question first: does this agree with Scripture? Then press further: does it produce obedience, or does it provide cover for what God forbids?

Use the confessions and learn the catechisms. Listen to teachers who know both. Receive them only because they reflect Scripture. Let Scripture govern. It will correct what is wrong and expose what is false. God has not left His church without a final court of appeal.

Prayer
Lord, You have spoken with clarity, and You have given Your Word for my faith and life. Forgive me for the times I have trusted the voice of others more than Yours, or defended a practice simply because it was familiar. Make me quick to learn from faithful teachers, and equally willing to be corrected by Scripture when I am wrong. Keep me from stubborn pride. Keep me from cowardly fear. Let Your Word rule my mind and direct my steps. Through Jesus Christ my Lord, Amen.