Christian theology is the theology of Christian belief and practice.
[1] Such study concentrates
primarily upon the texts of the Old Testament and of the New Testament, as well as on Christian
tradition. Christian theologians use biblical exegesis, rational analysis and argument.
Theologians may undertake the study of Christian theology for a variety of reasons, such as in
order to:
help them better understand Christian tenets[2]
make comparisons between Christianity and other traditions[3]
defend Christianity against objections and criticism
facilitate reforms in the Christian church[4]
assist in the propagation of Christianity[5]
draw on the resources of the Christian tradition to address some present situation or
perceived need[6]
Christian theology has permeated much of Western culture, especially in pre-modern Europe.
Christian tradition is a collection of traditions consisting of practices or beliefs associated with
Christianity. These ecclesiastical traditions have more or less authority based on the nature of the
practices or beliefs and on the group in question. Many churches have traditional practices, such
as particular patterns of worship or rites, that developed over time. Deviations from such patterns
are sometimes considered unacceptable or heretical.
Tradition also includes historic teaching of the recognized church authorities, such as Church
Councils and ecclesiastical officials (e.g., the Pope, Patriarch of Constantinople, Archbishop of
Canterbury, etc.), and includes the teaching of significant individuals like the Church Fathers, the
Protestant Reformers, and the founders of denominations. Many creeds, confessions of faith, and
catechisms generated by these bodies, and individuals are also part of the traditions of various
bodies.
Contents
1 Tradition and ecclesial traditions
2 Branches
3 See also
4 References
5 Bibliography
Tradition and ecclesial traditions
The Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox and Anglican churches distinguish between
what is called Apostolic or sacred tradition and ecclesiastical traditions. In the course of time
ecclesial traditions develop in theology, discipline, liturgy, and devotions. These the Church may
retain, modify or even abandon.[1] Apostolic tradition, on the other hand, is the teaching that was
handed down by the Apostles by word of mouth, by their example and "by the institutions they
established", among which is the apostolic succession of the bishops: "this living transmission,
accomplished in the Holy Spirit, is called Tradition".[2] "And [Holy] Tradition transmits in its
entirety the Word of God, which has been entrusted to the apostles by Christ the Lord and the
Holy Spirit."[3]
In his book, James F. Keenan reports studies by some Catholic academics. A study by Bernard
Hoose states that claims to a continuous teaching by the Church on matters of sexuality, life and
death and crime and punishment are "simply not true". After examining seven medieval text
about homosexuality, Mark Jordan argues that, "far from being consistent, any attempt to make a
connection among the texts proved impossible". He calls the tradition's teaching of the Church
"incoherent". Karl-Wilhelm Merks considers that tradition itself is "not the truth guarantor of any
particular teaching." Keenan, however, says that studies of "manualists" such as John T. Noonan
Jr. has demonstrated that, "despite claims to the contrary, manualists were co-operators in the
necessary historical development of the moral tradition." Noonan, according to Keenan, has
provided a new way of viewing at "areas where the Church not only changed, but shamefully did
not".[4]
Branches
In the Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodoxy, sacred tradition, but not "ecclesial traditions", is
considered official doctrine and of equal authoritative weight to the Bible. Among conservative
Protestants, the Bible itself is the only final authority (see sola scriptura and prima scriptura),
but tradition still plays an important supporting role. All three groups generally accept the
traditional developments on the doctrine of the Trinity, for instance, and set bounds of orthodoxy
and heresy based on that tradition. They also have developed creedal and confessional statements
which summarize and develop their understanding of biblical teaching.
See also
Christian dietary laws
Great Church
Passion Play
References
1.
Catechism of the Catholic Church, 83 Archived June 29, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
Catechism of the Catholic Church, 76-78 Archived August 5, 2011, at the Wayback
Machine
Catechism of the Catholic Church, 80 Archived June 29, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
1. James F. Keenan (17 January 2010). A History of Catholic Moral Theology
in the Twentieth Century: From Confessing Sins to Liberating Consciences. A&C Black.
p. 45-46. ISBN 978-0-8264-2929-2.
Bibliography
Baum, Wilhelm; Winkler, Dietmar W. (2003). The Church of the East: A Concise
History. London-New York: Routledge-Curzon.
Hotchkiss, Gregory K. The Middle Way: Reflections on Scripture and Tradition, in series,
Reformed Episcopal Pamphlets, no. 3. Media, Penn.: Reformed Episcopal Publication
Society, 1985. 27 p. N.B.: Place of publication also given as Philadelphia, Penn.; the
approach to the issue is from an evangelical Anglican (Reformed Episcopal Church)
orientation. Without ISBN
