It is bigotry to prefer one religion to another. Every year, billions of taxpayer dollars are spent on programs based upon these assumptions, yet the problems they are supposed to solve only get worse. Traditions of men are principles of vain deceit that have been repeated so often, and for so long, that they have been absorbed into a culture. The religion of the Pharisees had been spoiled just this way. Christians must be very careful to scrutinize their thinking and to make sure that the principles by which they live are based on the Scriptures and not on tradition.
Rudiments is a word that refers to basics, essentials, or fundamentals.
The essence of man s sinful nature is its selfishness. The world refers to those systems of men based upon the selfishness of man s sinful nature. When anyone appeals to the inherent selfishness of men as the basis for electing a politician, approving a policy, or promoting wickedness, they are appealing to the rudiments of the world. Rather than appealing to the moral self-discipline that the Word of God and the Sprit of God can produce in the hearts of men, most modern leaders appeal to the worst in man. As a result, our culture is fast becoming characterized by rebellion against God and all the human tragedy that is the result of this rebellion.