Interpreting the Law of God (20
We have much to learn from our forebears about interpreting God’s Law.
So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter. 2 Thessalonians 2.15
In the Christian community, we do not accord the traditions of the Church the same status as the revelation of God in Scripture. The Word of God is authoritative; the traditions of interpretation – creeds, commentaries, confessions of faith and the like – are useful and should be consulted. They should not be ignored, nor should we hastily go beyond what has always in all places been believed by all Christians
The Gospel has come down to us today because of the faithful work of generations of believers in eras past. We must assume that their work of interpreting the Word of God, including His Law, had the approval of God, since He allowed them to flourish and the Kingdom to advance under their leadership. The Church has always exercised disciplines of cleansing and correcting against those who have sought to bring false teachings into the Body of Christ. The record of these struggles is available and should be consulted by those who want to understand both the truth of Scripture and the ways the community of believers has worked to arrive at that truth over the years.
So when it comes to understanding the Law of God, we should not neglect the work our forebears in the faith have done in their preaching, teaching, and writing. A wealth of documents exists which church leaders especially should use in leading their communities to live according to the holy and righteous and good instruction of the Law of God.
Paul taught many things to the early churches. Not everything that he taught was written down in his letters, and not everything he taught was divinely inspired. He put more stock in what he had written than anything he might have said, but he considered those spoken “traditions” to have validity in helping the communities of Christ’s followers to understand and follow His will.
We do well, especially when we are dealing with the Law of God, to understand how our forebears in the faith regarded, understood, and applied this body of divine revelation, to the approval of God and for our benefit today.
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