Should a Christian participate in local customs?
By James R Henderson
I am often asked
about customs and traditions wherever I go. Should a Christian get
involved in them and to what extent? This is not just a question for
the African context, but it also arises in Asia, South America and in
the new Age post modern West. The answer has worldwide application.
Here are some
simple Biblical guidelines that help us respond to such situations.
1. Does the
custom glorify God? “Whatever
you do, do all to the glory of God” (I Corinthians 10:31). Sometimes
there are customs that can allow us an occasion to glorify God;
sometimes the customs have no religious significance. In addition,
sometimes there are customs that detract from the glory of God and
would therefore not be suitable for Christians.
For example, in one
part of Africa the local custom is for a house buyer to consult the
sangoma, or local diviner, in order to find out if the spirits of the
ancestors (who, it is wrongly claimed, reside in the house in question
are pleased or displeased with the proposed future occupant(s). It is
said that if the ancestral spirits are unhappy, then bad luck will
follow if the sale proceeds. This is not far removed from the Western
and oriental customs of reading your horoscope before daily activity
or major decisions.
Clearly there are
still unhelpful pagan practices that involve false belief systems
and/or idolatry and sin, and that obviously do not glorify God.
Colossians 2:8 warns “beware lest anyone cheat you…according to the
traditions of men…and not according to Christ”.
2. Does the
custom offend others? Just
because we are free to do something does not mean we are compelled to
do it or that it is for the common good. That is what Paul meant when
he wrote “all things are lawful to me, but not all things are helpful”
(I Corinthians 10:23). We Christians should seek the well-being of
others, and not throw potential stumbling blocks in their path. We
should think of the possible effect of our choice in customs on the
consciences of other people.
In Corinth church
members were following (or not following) practices and customs
without due reference to the feelings of the local community and of
other believers. Hence Paul emphasises, again in I Corinthians 10 but
this time verse 32: “Give no offence, either to the Jews or to the
Greeks or to the church of God”. Paul’s instruction to be careful
about offending local congregations is as relevant today as when he
wrote it. We are to seek the salvation and edification of others, and
this is done with Christ working in us through thoughtfulness on our
part, not through the observance or non-observance of customs and
traditions.
Africa, like the
rest of the world, is changing, and it might be that in this 21st
century some young people may not wish to follow the optional
traditions of their culture’s past. If so, we, in Christian love, we
need to recognise they have a choice. In these situations the young
need to be sensitive to the feelings of the older generations, and
vice versa. Don’t forget we, young and old, should receive each other
“in the faith, and not to dispute over doubtful things” (Romans 14:1).
3. Are you
acting against your own conscience?
All our consciences need to be educated in Christ – Jesus should be
the Alpha and Omega of our reasoning. In the book of Romans we are
encouraged to have clarity about the things that we allow and
disallow.
We live in an age
of blurred values, an age of ambiguity, and part of faith is learning
how to cope with that. Often certainty eludes us. If, however, deep
within you, you feel that involvement in a certain custom is repugnant
to you, should you participate? It could involve sin, in which case of
course you should avoid participation. But, if no sin and no offence
to others, and yet somehow it still produces guilt and doubt within
you, is it good for you to get involved regardless?
In order to help
others, sometimes there is a case for reconsideration, putting self
behind you and allowing a re-education of the conscience. Nevertheless
you have a choice, and Paul reminds us that “happy is he who does not
condemn himself by what he approves” (Romans 14:22).
4. Exercise your
free will. What if you are
faced with a custom or tradition, and it does not compromise the glory
of God, no sin or offence is involved, and your personal conscience is
clear? This is where free moral agency comes in. God has given us
freedom, and a mind to exercise individual options. Just because we
are Christians does not mean that we all have to do the same, be the
same, think the same in areas of freedom. God has blessed us with
diversity. So, bearing all the foregoing points in mind, make a choice
within your freedom in Christ. But remember the example you set. “And
whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus”
(Colossians 3:17).
Over to you. Back to Contents |
