A wise man once said, “It is important to draw wisdom from many different places. If we take it from only one place it becomes rigid and stale.”
We see this “rigid and stale” in the old churches. The longer the tradition the worse it can be. There is no openness to new moves of God.
The Four Traditions
Personally, I find four wisdom traditions particularly meaningful. They are the contemplative, the evangelical, the charismatic, and the sacramental
I have not chosen the four traditions of Christianity haphazardly. I have chosen them so that their strength and weaknesses complement one another. More could be added, but these I find most helpful.
Comparing the Traditions
For example, the evangelical is an active and extroverted tradition. It works great in public life and outreach. The contemplative, on the other hand, is more introverted and passive, cultivating inward stillness and an awareness of God.
Another example, the charismatic tradition is about the current movings of God, exercising the gifts to edify and empower believers. While the sacramental is about honoring the faith and traditions handled down from our spiritual ancestors.
Four Elements
The contemplative is like air, for in it we seek the breath in God’s presence. The evangelical is like water, for it brings us back to the washing of the water of the word. The charismatic is like fire, for it is the wild working of the Holy Spirit. And the sacramental trady is like earth, grounding us in the sacraments and traditions of the ancient church.
Having four wisdom traditions allows us to draw wisdom from many different places and people. It also helps keep our minds and hearts from becoming rigid and stale. Understanding the four wisdom traditions will help us become more whole, balanced, and wiser.
