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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
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
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
should stand grateful. But as one who will also pass on tradition we should bear up
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
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
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
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
interpretation? Yes. The traditions, says Wright (2005), “tell us where have come
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