A Simple Look at the Role of Tradition in Bible Reading

Does tradition have a role to play in the contemporary realm of biblical

interpretation? Yes. A role that shares the stage with a multitude of other elements

that serve to inform the interpreter. I think N.T. Wright (2005) correctly places

tradition when he states, “We must be constantly aware of our responsibility in the

Communion of Saints, without giving our honored predecessors the final say or

making them an ‘alternative source,’ independent of scripture itself” (117). Wright’s

assertion does not under or over value the role of tradition. Instead, it challenges the

reader/interpreter not to ignore tradition but to recognize tradition for what it is: a

previous attempt to live out God’s word in that context (Wright 2005, 117). At the

same time, Wright is not promoting a historical naivety but urges critical evaluation

for both the positive and negative implications derived from the previous (Wright

2005, 117).

I would agree with Wright’s premise because all traditions send ahead both

constructive and destructive elements to the next generation. Better put, our

predecessors did some things right and some things wrong (and so will this

contemporary generation). I believe Socrates is credited for saying, “An unexamined

life is no life at all.” The same can be said of traditions, however. Blindly accepting

tradition does not further the cause of Christ but to destroy tradition because it smacks

of a perceived irrelevance is equally as devastating. As one who receives tradition we

should stand grateful. But as one who will also pass on tradition we should bear up

the responsibility to make correctives by humbly listening before releasing the

wrecking ball. Or, as I have heard others say, “Don’t tear down a fence until you first

find out why it was built.” Tradition (whether from family or church) is a wonderful

but flawed gift that is to be honored, not by stagnating in it, but by gracefully moving
it forward. Tradition was never meant to be a taskmaster but a pedagogue that

instructs and releases its pupils with courage.

The world, for better or worse, has grown increasingly smaller. Not

physically, of course, but logistically. The advent of easily accessed technology has

effectively brought together people who may have not otherwise met. No longer is the

contemporary generation privy to the singular voice of their traditions leaders. On the

contrary, they are now privy to a wide array of cultures and peoples at the click of a

button. I do not mean the contact one gets from the page of encyclopedia but through

media technologies and the availability of rapid international travel it is possible to

view, speak, engage and visit the global community with relative ease. For the

contemporary generation this has only expanded their idea of people and traditions

beyond a uni-cultural perspective. Instead, the present-day reader/interpreter of the

Bible comes with a much more expansive view bigger than the “place” they occupy.

The idea of place and location is vastly different than that of a generation ago. The

exposure to multiple cultures should expand ones reading of the Bible but that

expansion may also be cause for accusations of relativism and/or a forsaking of the

traditions by those who have not had the opportunities the present generation has had.

And, if the contemporary generation does not act in humility, reciprocal accusations

can be hurled back causing tension where there should be unity.

Does tradition have a role to play in the contemporary realm of biblical

interpretation? Yes. The traditions, says Wright (2005), “tell us where have come

from” (119). Knowing ones heritage should be source of encouragement reminding

each generation of what God has done to bring us to where we are. Wright (2005)

further declares that Scripture “is a guide s to where we should now be going” (119).

Critically evaluating where we have been and where we are, should, when guided by
an ever-expanding engagement with scripture, lead us toward an expected future

where Christ is honored in both our traditions and our lives.

 References

Wright, N. (2005). The last word. New York, NY: HarperOne.