Tradition and Theological Anthropology

What are the 3 essential components of a Catholic marriage?

Faithful, Life-long (permanent and indissoluble), Generative (openness to children)

What is the best word to describe marriage in the Catholic tradition? What is the word that usually is used to describe marriage in civil/legal terms?

Sacrament, a way that God’d eternal and permanent bond (relationship) with humans is made manifest, not a contract

What is the difference between a divorce and an annulment?

Divorce is a legal or civil term, you were once married but now are not. Annulment is a matter of Church law, you were never truly married in the first place because something essential for a valid marriage was missing

What is the difference between traditionalism and Tradition?

Traditionalism - Attempt to freeze frame the faith experience of the community, to turn a movie into a photograph. The Catholic church being stuck in its ways.Reducing the faith to what we were taught in catchism or the way we celebrated when we were young.

Tradition - A shared faith experience of the Christian community. The Catholic church being faithful to its identity, history and beauty while striving to be relevant and intelligible. Keeping faith fresh and alive by seeking to apply it to current life, to find new ways of saying the same thing

According to Himes, what does the word “Tradition” mean?

To hand on. If it is to be a healthy tradition, religion must be a living tradition

According to Himes, what is the theological definition of “Tradition?”

The shared Faith experience of the community

What is the somewhat surprising insight that Himes makes about tradition?

Tradition is not about ‘nothing changes’ but is about ‘changing as fast as we can in order to be faithful to the tradition’

When thinking about Tradition and Change, what is the dilemma?

Continuity and change. Fidelity and intelligibility. Who gets to decide when a change is positive (a development) and when it is negative?

What is the word for how Catholics understand the Eucharist?

Transubstantiation

What are the three arguments that have been used to argue against the ordination of women?

Scriptural - While Jesus did many things to challenge the status quo, he did not call any women to be a part of the 12 disciples

Theological - The priest represents Jesus; since Jesus was a man, it is appropriate and necessary for the priest to be a man

Traditional - The Catholic Church has never ordained women; to do so would be a substantial change

What is the definition of Magisterium?

Teaching office of the Catholic church

Who makes up the Magisterium?

The college of bishops around the world with the Pope as its head

What is doctrine?

Teaching

What is the name for teachings “considered to have been divinely revealed and thus taught with the Church’s highest authority?”

Dogma

Why do theologians speak about the development of doctrine rather than change of doctrine?

Change implies error and leaves room for negative change.

What are three ways the Catholic imagination contrasts with the Protestant imagination?

Emphasis on incarnation vs cross. (God’s immanence vs transcendence)

Damaged by original sin but image of God remains vs totally corrupt bc of sin

Humans capable of knowing God exists from creation and must cooperate with God’s grace vs no knowledge of God apart from grace

Sin is completely washed away by God’s love revealed in Jesus vs Sin is covered over, but not taken away

God encountered in nature, scripture, people, community, sacramental signs vs God encountered through God’s Words, stresses Scripture (sola scriptura)

Communitarian (stresses common good) vs Individualistic (individual rights)

Why is Tradition so important in the Catholic Church?

Tradition keeps us connected to what has gone before (Jesus/Kingdom of God). Keeps us from creating God/Jesus/church in our own image. Helps prevent us from accepting deviations from Christianity (mega churches)

What does the word “creed” mean?

“I believe”. Official profession of faith.

What is the meaning of “tikkun olam?”

Repairing the world by living attentively and intently, by being our truest and greatest selves. Working to repair the broken gift

What is the definition of “theological anthropology?”

The interpretation of human existence in the light of faith. Our explanation of ourselves, how we understand what it means to be human.

Why does theological anthropology matter?

Growing in wisdom about the meaning of life allows one to live a meaningful life.

What are the top five regrets of the dying?

I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not that others expected

I wish I hadn’t worked so hard

I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings

I wish I’d stayed in touch with my friends

I wish I’d let myself be happier

In the video we watched of Admiral McRaven’s commencement speech, what are 4 of his lessons for life? Which of his 10 lessons do you think is most important? Why?

1. If you can’t do the little things right, you will never do the big things right

2. You can’t change the world alone, you’ll need some help

3. Nothing matters but your will to succeed

4. Sometimes, no matter how well you prepare or how well you perform, you are not going to succeed

5. You will fail. It is often, painful, discouraging and tests you to your core. But it will make you stronger

6. Sometimes you must take risks

7. Deal with obstacles as they arise

8. Be at your best in the darkest moments

9. Have hope and share hope

10. Persevere, dont give up