Syncretism is defined as “the combination of different forms of belief or practice.”  Any churchgoers are guilty of this. Though they claim to be followers of Christ, they have not been able to break themselves loose from the stranglehold of tradition. Jesus had a running battle with the scribes and Pharisees on several issues, one of which was the observance of their man-made tradition. By engaging this people, Jesus was not posing as a rabble-rouser. His approach was not a declaration of war on tradition generally; it was a selective engagement. By the way, tradition is defined as ‘’inherited, established, or customary pattern of thought, action, or behavior.” Seen in this light, it will not be difficult to say that Jesus Himself lived by some tradition.

A tradition is to be questioned when it is contrary to the commandments of God…If a tradition leads to bondage, it must be questioned and subjected to review…any tradition that has become an inhibitor to progress must be challenged.

So, Jesus did not fight tradition as a whole; what He fought was the aspects of tradition that negated the word of God and robbed people of its inherent power. This should also be the approach of God’s children to the traditions obtainable in their various domains. A tradition is to be questioned when it is contrary to the commandments of God. There are two other things that should make believers treat any set of traditions as suspect. If a tradition leads to bondage, it must be questioned and subjected to review. We know Jesus brought us into liberty, and when He sets free, it is freedom indeed. Our liberty must not be compromised on the altar of human tradition. Finally, any tradition that has become an inhibitor to progress must be challenged.