Traditions Versus Truth

While on earth as a man, the Lord Jesus declared that the religious leaders of that day were guilty of serious infractions, namely: - Transgressing a commandment of God by their tradition (Matthew 15:3, Mark 7:8) - Rejecting God's Word and making His commandment of none effect by clinging to their tradition (Matthew 15:6, Mark 7:9, Mark 7:13) - Worshiping Him in vain by teaching commandments of men as doctrines (Matthew 15:9, Mark 7:7) In the almost two thousand years since that time, numerous religious traditions have developed which are unscriptural and very dangerous to spiritual welfare. Several of these traditions are identified and examined in the light of what the Word of God actually says. It is absolutely essential to correctly understand and appropriate God's truth, because the Lord Jesus himself confirmed that mankind shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God (Deuteronomy 8:3, Matthew 4:4, Luke 4:4).

Are you tired of religion? Are you searching for the reality of the God of the Bible? You're not alone! Time as we know it is running out. The clock is ticking towards a New Heaven and a New Earth (Revelation 21:1). God is re-aligning His people back to 'His Ways' and restoring His people back to Himself. Not the ways of religion or the traditions of men, but the 'Ways of God.' As we race towards the beginning of everything being made new, our understanding of what God is doing in these last days are imperative! We do not want to miss, after almost 2000 years, what God is doing in this season of time. This is the season of preparing His Bride and calling her into intimacy. Because of this, there is beginning a movement of real change in our Christianity, the real change we need! God is pulling back the veil for those who are searching for His Truth. I must warn you, this is a very controversial message. Let me assure you, you have not heard this teaching before! It goes against every tradition taught since the 2nd Century AD!

Jesus confronted the religious leaders of his time concerning their traditions taking priority over the truth. But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? (Matthew 15:3) And honor not his father or his mother he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. (Matthew 15:6) For laying aside the commandment of God ye hold the tradition of men as the washing of pots and cups and m any other such like thing ye do. (Mark 7:8) Just because it is “tradition” does not make it the truth. Some people will say about these chapters, “What difference does it make?” The difference is what is often traditionally taught does not make it the truth when it comes to the accuracy of the scripture. I would ask, “Why does it matter if I lie to you or tell you the truth?” Most people do not like being lied to. I challenge the reader to take a clear perspective of the written Word of God. Believe the truth. Do not hold on to things you have been previously taught to you, just because it is tradition. Truth Versus Tradition will take you to the scripture and document what the truth of God’s Word says and what has been wrongly taught by tradition.

With an estimated 34,000 Christian denominations around the world all claiming to have the truth, it can be confusing as to whom to believe. Yet, when we turn away from human traditions and creeds and rely solely on the Word of God, our confusion disappears and is replaced with understanding. Bible Truth or Church Tradition documents author Melvin Maxwell’s personal study of the beliefs and doctrines of today’s mainstream churches in an effort to determine which world church adheres most closely to the teachings of the Bible. His discussion of non-biblical traditions within Christianity will make readers think about what they believe and are practicing and if it really follows the Bible.

In Divine Truth or Human Tradition? the author critically examines the viewpoints and Scripture expositions of prominent evangelical scholars and apologistsincluding Dr. James R. White (author of The Forgotten Trinity), Dr. John MacArthur (President of The Master?s Seminary), Wayne Grudem (author of the widely-read Systematic Theology), Robert Morey (author of The Trinity, Evidence and Issues), Robert L. Reymond (author of A New Systematic Theology of the Christian Faith), and others According to what has long been considered mainstream Christian orthodoxy, the doctrine of the Trinity (the idea that the one God of the Bible is a singular being made up of three coequal and coeternal persons?) is not only central to the Christian faith, but even necessary for one to accept in order to be counted as a true Christian and be saved. Such a demand on a Christian?s faith has come across as strange and perplexing to many, especially so in light of the fact pointed out by one respected Trinitarian: [The Trinity] is not clearly or explicitly taught anywhere in Scripture, yet it is widely regarded as a central doctrine, indispensable to the Christian faith. In this regard, it goes contrary to what is virtually an axiom [that is, a given, a self-evident truth] of biblical doctrine, namely, that there is a direct correlation between the scriptural clarity of a doctrine and its cruciality to the faith and life of the church. (Millard J. Erickson, God in Three Persons, p. 11. Emphasis added) Understandably, this fact has raised questions in the minds of Christians and truth-seekers alike ever since the doctrine was first articulated in the late 4th century. Many Christians have wondered: How can a doctrine that is not clearly or explicitly taught in the Bible be necessary to accept in order to be a true practitioner of the Christian faith?

Since the beginning of time, man’s destiny has been to discover his true purpose in life: to find meaning, direction, and fulfillment in this vast and complex world in which we live. It is man’s intent to understand himself and to know exactly where he fits into the scheme of things. His lifelong pursuit is to understand the very essence of his being, such as: what is a soul? Do I have one? Does it die? Does it go to heaven? How does the soul operate within my physical body? How is the soul associated with the Holy Spirit of God? Are the Spirit and soul the same? Does an animal have a soul? Does the soul of an animal go to heaven? How does this come into play within the rest of God’s creation and how does God deal with all the other individual segments of His creation? If you have ever asked yourself any of these questions, Truth or Tradition is the book for you. It is a must-read for the spiritually minded! This book will expand your mind to avenues you never gave much thought to before. It will take you to levels you’ve never been before. It will challenge you to a completely new way of thinking. Truth or Tradition is a compilation of ideas, notes, and theories gathered over the last twenty-five years from various sermons and studies, and coming from a wide variety of sources. Author James R. Johnson has always had an unquenchable curiosity that overlapped into his Christian walk. He wants to challenge readers to be more diligent in studying the word, thus allowing the Holy Spirit to discern what is truth and what is traditional. The book also reveals how God loves and cares for His entire creation, and how everything operates within the will of God. Do Pets Go to Heaven?