The post on Sunday night service has reminded me of a discussion. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/chatter.gif" alt="" /> My friend who was a Calvinist recently embraced the Luthern church and the banter has ensued. I've only been to a Luthern service a couple of times but I have studied their doctrine some. In Luther's Small Catechism, he talks about getting up in the morning, signing the cross, and reciting the Lord's prayer and the same thing when going to bed. This helps, especially young Christians to maintain a good habit of praying and staying focused on God.
Well, our discussion led to the topic of imposing rituals" or "traditions" upon the church. He said the reason Luthern doctrine is Biblically correct is because of the traditions that have kept or help to keep it that way. IMHO, it doesn't seem right to say that traditions or extra-biblical traditions are what help to keep doctrine pure.
It seems that I find nontraditional traditions in the Baptist church I attend. Every Sunday morning we have a "greet your neighbor" event and sometimes I don't feel like greeting my neighbor. And when I do feel like going to greet my neighbor that I haven't talked to in a while, then the music for a song starts before I finish my conversation. But I must say that the Church does take communion every Sunday.
I really have enjoyed the presbyterian worship service and Luthern service(s) that I have attended because of the quality of reverence that I am about to partake in a very serious matter. But what about using extra-Biblical traditions for matters of worship? Are they inescapable no matter the denomination? <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/Banghead.gif" alt="" /> Can traditions be enjoyed within the church to promote godliness and worship of Christ?<img src="/forum/images/graemlins/scratch1.gif" alt="" />
Ehud
