Stott makes a strong statement by saying that Christians "are called to a radical nonconformity to tradition and convention in order to honor the supremacy of Scripture and the lordship of Jesus Christ". Yet, I can' t help but to think that traditions were originally set up for a good purpose. Certain ceremonies, holidays and events are practiced and commemorated to benefit the present and future generation with the great principles handed down from the past. Wedding ceremonies, the season of lent, and even the holy communion are just a few examples. I think that tradition do have a part in Christian life but Stott is right in saying that they are not to replace or even overshadow honoring the "supremacy of Scripture and the lordship of Jesus Christ".
When I think about the pharisees and their traditions, it makes me think back to Adam and Eve and how they tried to cover up themselves with fig leaves. Both parties being afraid of exposure tried to cover themselves with false securities. The pharisees may have had greater insights as to the holiness of God than Christians do in this present age. However, they failed to please God because they did not have faith in what God revealed through the holy scripture. They failed to see and understand the truth of God behind the laws and traditions which God had ordained and saw only the tradition themselves and depended on their own abilities to adhere to them. Instead of using those tradition to remember certain qualities of God and use them to draw nearer to Him, the pharisees used tradition to cover up their short comings. I do believe that they knew and understood God as holy and perfect and knew they had to conform to his holiness but their fatal mistake was to believe that holiness and righteousness can be attained by their own efforts instead of depending on God's sufficient grace.
Another oversight of the pharisees was the security they placed on their ability to keep the laws and traditions. And upon this false security they also built up pride and self righteousness. The pharisees are not the only ones guilty of this-so am I. The tradition or practice of attending Sunday worship service is one example I'll use for myself perhaps you may be able to think of others. Not that I'm perfect in coming to church on time every Sunday, but just even the practice of coming gives me a certain level of security. My heart may be in the wrong place and I may have missed the point of coming to church to worship God, their is a sense of security, familiarity, a sense of satisfaction of having done what I should have done on a Sunday morning-outwardly at least. Like I said, this is just one area of my life where a certain religious practice gives off a sense of security and satisfaction all the while I fail to meet God where I truly ought to- on my knees both literally and spiritually. It makes me re-examine where my heart is what-ever I do. My first reaction to this realization was anxiety and insecurity at my lack of faith and faithfulness in acknowledging what is right and actually doing it. But I am encouraged to remember God's grace and love. And I have to remember that as I spend more quality time in prayer and reading Scripture, that it won't be so much of my own efforts that will make me more like Christ but it will be the work of the Holy Spirit.