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Sacred Tradition

Sacred Tradition. Tradition is Democracy for the Dead – G.K. Chesterton. Big T and Little t. Big T refers to tradition that is taken to be not open to reform, it cannot change. It is part of the deposit of faith, also sometimes called “dogma”. Little t refers to practices that can change.

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Sacred Tradition

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  1. Sacred Tradition Tradition is Democracy for the Dead – G.K. Chesterton

  2. Big T and Little t • Big T refers to tradition that is taken to be not open to reform, it cannot change. It is part of the deposit of faith, also sometimes called “dogma”. • Little t refers to practices that can change. • For many years the mass was offered in Latin throughout the world. • The Second Vatican Council opened the door for mass in the vernacular, or local languages.

  3. Tradition – Its Origins Some scholars suggest that the foundation for tradition is found in Genesis, in the Creation story. Adam was informed by God, not to eat of the tree. Eve was not created at this point. The presumption is that Eve was told by Adam. (when confronted she did not say, “nobody told me!” She was informed by the word of another (tradition)

  4. Tradition - Big T • Many people get confused over this distinction. Simply these teachings would be held consistently from the beginning of the Church, some examples: • The Real Presence of the Eucharist • The Mystery of the Holy Trinity • The Incarnation – The Word became flesh • The basic elements of the Mass • The Structure of Pope, Bishops, Priests and Deacons

  5. “tradition” - Little t • These would be things that could change and have not been consistently the practice of the early church, some examples: • The language used during the liturgical rites • The Liturgical calender – feast days can change • The practice of celibacy for those considering priesthood – in the eastern church men can be married BEFORE ordination, but bishops still are celibate. Some clergy converts are married and still in communion with Rome. • The way the pope is elected or selected

  6. Revelation and Tradition Recall that God’s Revelation comes to the Church through both the Sacred Scriptures and Sacred Tradition (codified in the statements of Church Councils and the writings of the early Church, known as the “Fathers of the Church”.

  7. The Bible and Tradition • A comparison • KingJames :5Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. • New Revised Version: 15 So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings[a] we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter. • New American Bible: Therefore, brothers, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught, either by an oral statement or by a letter of ours.

  8. The Church Councils accepted in the East and West • Jerusalem ~ 60 AD • See Acts and Galatians • Nicea 325 AD • homoousious • Constantinople Iu381 • Holy Spirit is 3rd person • Ephesus 431 AD Theotokos • Chalcedon 451 • Divine/Human natures • Contantinople II 553 • Confirmed 4 councils • Constantinople III 680 • Two wills of Christ • Nicea II • Iconoclasts • Constaninople IV 869 • Condemned irregular council

  9. Church Councils - West • Lateran I – 1123 • Investiture controversy • Lateran II – 1139 • Correcting errors • Lateran III - 1179 • Albigenses and Waldenses • Lateran IV -1215 • Marks high point in Middle ages • Lyon I – 1245 • Deposed Frederick II and called for Crusade • Lyon II – 1274 • Papal elections, briefly united East & West • Vienne 1311-1313 • Avignon – Knights Templar • Constance 1414-1418 • Great Schism

  10. Church Councils West (cont) • Basle-Ferrara-Florance 1431-1439 • Governance • Lateran V 1512-1517 • Dealing with turmoil in Germany – Luther • Trent 1545-1563 • Dealing with the Reformation – From it came the Catechism of the Council of Trent • Vatican I 1869-1870 • Papal Infallibility • Vatican II • Pastoral Council – published several “Dogmatic Constitutions and proclaimed Church’s “self-understanding”

  11. Levels of Church Teaching Councilor Teaching (Apostolic Constitutions Apostolic Exhortations Declarations Decrees (Decretum) Papal Encyclicals Instructions issued by congregations Institutes (Instiutio) Moto Propio Dubia (Doubts or questions) Pastoral Letters (issued by bishop conference. Local bishops issue letters binding on their diocese Guidelines issued by committees or sub-committees of the National Conference of Bishops

  12. Conclusion We are not alone, we strive to interpret the Scriptures in the context of 2000 years of lived tradition. Our faith never contradicts the Sacred Scriptures, but certainly give more specifics than the Sacred Scriptures can provide. The Church guides the human family and God’s gift to the human family.

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