Continuous teaching

[fragmentsofdreams]

If the Church teaches something for one reason for centuries, then changes the reason when the first reason becomes unacceptable, is the teaching still continuous?

 

[Kotton]

Originally posted by fragmentsofdreams
If the Church teaches something for one reason for centuries, then changes the reason when the first reason becomes unacceptable, is the teaching still continuous?

The REASON does not change, therefore the Church's teaching is continuous. Only in some people's interpetation have the issues changed. Can you give an example that you have in mind??

Kotton

 

[fragmentsofdreams]

Up until one or two hundred years ago, all arguments against female ordination given by the Church centered on either the inherent inferiority of women or the idea that menstration made them ritually impure and unable to consecrate a host. Now, John Paul II explains the ban on female ordination by pointing to the fact that all of the Apostles were male. This justification did not appear until the first two became discredited.

 

[VOW]

To Fragments:

I don't think the "original" reasoning became "unacceptable." It sounds more like the understanding of the teaching became more clear because of guidance by the Holy Spirit.


Peace be with you,
~VOW

 

[Kotton]

Originally posted by fragmentsofdreams
Up until one or two hundred years ago, all arguments against female ordination given by the Church centered on either the inherent inferiority of women or the idea that menstration made them ritually impure and unable to consecrate a host. Now, John Paul II explains the ban on female ordination by pointing to the fact that all of the Apostles were male. This justification did not appear until the first two became discredited.

Never heard of your two arguments at any time in my life, and I'm one of the oldest Catholics on the board. Now maybe someone has said something to this affect, but it's certainly not common knowledge. As for the Apostles being male, yes, Jesus did pick all men. This would be one point I remember from over 50 years ago, long before John Paul II came on the scene.

Any other examples?

Kotton

 

[fragmentsofdreams]

Originally posted by Kotton


Never heard of your two arguments at any time in my life, and I'm one of the oldest Catholics on the board. Now maybe someone has said something to this affect, but it's certainly not common knowledge. As for the Apostles being male, yes, Jesus did pick all men. This would be one point I remember from over 50 years ago, long before John Paul II came on the scene.

Any other examples?

Kotton

These were the arguements used by the Church Fathers and by theologians through the Middle Ages.

 

Vow:  If these new arguments are acceptable to modern Christians, why did JPII not use them when discussing the issue?

 

[VOW]

To Fragments:

You'll have to take that up with JPII. I'm not privy to his thinking on how he constructs his discussions. However, I respect the man and the holy way he has conducted his office, and I acknowledge his profound education. And I trust completely in his being guided by the Holy Spirit as he leads the Church.


Peace be with you,
~VOW

 

[aggie03]

What about eating meat on friday? My grandmother used to be catholic when she was a girl, I think that she's a methodist now, I'm not sure - but she used to tell stories of how she disliked not being able to eat meat on fridays. My friends who are catholic now have told me that this isn't practiced anymore - why?

 

[VOW]

To Aggie:

At the top of the Catholic board, there is a FAQ section. This is from that thread.

Deposit. Left by the Apostles. Includes both Scripture and Sacred Tradition. Infallible, cannot be altered, changed, added to, or subtracted from.

Dogma. Promulgated by ecumenical councils or declared by reigning Pontiff. Also infallible, also cannot be changed---but also cannot contradict Scripture, Tradition, or previous infallible statement or another dogma.

Doctrine. Explanation of some aspect of the Faith. Not infallible, can be changed, evolved, condemned, abandoned.

Discipline. Rule established by the Church to help the believer walk the straight and narrow path; includes both celibacy and not eating meat on Fridays during Lent and fasting on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

Devotion. Lowest level of Catholic belief; usually more or less up to the individual believer to practice or not. Includes 99% of all Marian practices, including the Rosary, First Fridays, and belief in apparitons of Mary such as Lourdes or Fatima.

Peace be with you,
~VOW