I have to travel unexpectedly today, so for those of you waiting for the follow-up post on the Church, I leave you with the following. I am quite well aware that not all traditions are equal. In fact, so were the Early Church Fathers. St. Cyprian said:
“Custom is often only the antiquity of error.”
[Editor’s Note: The Scylding pointed out that he had posted the same quote on his blog along with a couple of others. If you want to go see his blog and the comments made on that post, please go here. I found the other quotes and the discussion quite interesting.]
I think customs and traditions are great, as long as they facilitate faith in Christ. If they put the focus on us, on what we do (for righteousness sake), then I’d say it might be time to re-examine the custom.
I posted this one on my blog a little while ago:
A tradition without truth is merely an ancient error.
– St Cyprian