2. Knowing the Difference Jaroslav Pelikan: “Tradition is the living faith of the dead. Traditionalism is the dead faith of the living.” Tradition is a democracy that gives the dead a vote. Tradition is a democracy that gives the dead a vote. Traditionalism is making a monarch out of our past. Traditionalism is making a monarch out of our past.

3. Tradition Hebrews 11 - Generations of Faithful Saints Hebrews 12:1-2 “… we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses …” The pagan and the skeptic believe the dead are silent. The pagan and the skeptic believe the dead are silent. Christians believe that the dead speak: “And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks” (11:4). Christians believe that the dead speak: “And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks” (11:4). Tradition honors the voice of the dead. Tradition honors the voice of the dead.

4. Traditionalism Matthew 15:1-2 Traditionalism causes us to judge others, when … Traditionalism causes us to judge others, when … … People do something different than we do.... People alter our routine. … People differ from our learned preferences.

5. Traditionalism Matthew 15:3-6 Traditionalism causes us to be disobedient. Traditionalism causes us to be disobedient. We look for loopholes to justify our traditionalism. We look for loopholes to justify our traditionalism. We reverse God’s will to preserve our will. We reverse God’s will to preserve our will.

6. Traditionalism Matthew 15:7-9, 14 Traditionalism causes us to be deaf to God. Traditionalism causes us to be deaf to God. We begin to confuse traditionalism with doctrine. We begin to confuse traditionalism with doctrine. We use the loud voice of tradition to drown out the voice of God. We use the loud voice of tradition to drown out the voice of God. Our hearts begin to serve the status quo, instead of the Lord. Our hearts begin to serve the status quo, instead of the Lord.

7. Traditionalism Matthew 15:10-13 Traditionalism causes us to be offended by Jesus. Traditionalism causes us to be offended by Jesus. His teachings ALWAYS challenge “normal.” His teachings ALWAYS challenge “normal.” “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up.” “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up.” Honor Tradition. Obey God.