Christian Traditions - Essay Example

Christian Traditions of Affiliate Introduction The emergence of divergent Christian groups with different traditions can be traced back to the divergent interpretations and the perception of the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Bible in general. According to Woodhead (2005, p.46), the two most important groups to have emerged with differing doctrines can be broadly categorized into Church Christians and Biblical Christians. Woodhead goes on to outline that the Church Christians consist of groups such as the Catholic and Orthodox Christians while the Biblical Christians consist of the protestant Churches that emerged in the "16th century" (Woodhead, 2005. p. 47). The Bible has evidently been a central authority to both Christian groups. However, the Bible can also be said to be the source of differing beliefs witnessed in different Christian traditions. Important to note is that the Bible in itself is not a revelation of the existence of God but contains witnesses that profess the revelation of God. Notably, the Bible was written in a very different historical period that often makes it difficult to extrapolate and interpret the provisions to fit within another time in history. Consequently, the role, status and authority of the Bible according to the different Christian traditions developed to have similarities and differences. According to the study guide prepared by Sinclair & Marion, varied interpretations of the message of Jesus brought about the divisions that resulted in different Christian groups (2006, p.38). Even within the groups that Woodhead categorized as Church Christians there are significant and notable differences. The paper will look at Roman Catholics and Orthodox Christians with the aim of bringing out the differences and similarities in their perception of the Bible and consequently highlight the areas that brought about inconsistencies. The Role of the Bible Although the apparent difference in places of geographical development has been used as an explanation of the progressive divergent views of the Bible between Catholic Christians and Orthodox Christians, such a postulation is not accurate. Notably, even Woodhead associates the East with the Orthodox and the West with the Catholics but Sinclair & Marion (2006, p.107) outline that the association is "misleading." Evidently, the Bible acts as a unifying aspect among the followers of the two different traditions and they both recognize the authority and the central role played by the Bible. But the traditions evolved to be different due to differing perceptions between Catholics and the Orthodox. The general realization is that the key principles were drawn from the Bible or at least the Bible was used as a justification but ccording to Woodhead (2005, p. 12), the emergence of “philosophy and modern science” created the tools for critiquing biblical dogmas. The Bible contains various books some of which mainly touch on both the physical and the spiritual aspects of human beings. The study guide prepared by Sinclair & Marion (2006, p.38) outlines that Jesus Christ emphasized on the fact that the message he brought was meant for “everyone regardless of their ethnicity or social background.” The teachings of Jesus Christ and the other writings in the New Testament indicate that biblical laws had acquired a universal perspective. In essence, both groups perceive the Bible as a source of law intended as a guide for the existence of mankind. Woodhead agrees by outlining that both the Catholic and Orthodox Christians acknowledge the Bible and revere it, but in addition they also place emphasis on traditions believed to have been inspired by the Holy Spirit (2005, p.51). However, just as outlined earlier the Bible also plays different roles in the traditions of the Catholic and Orthodox Christians. For the Catholic Christians the Bible plays a legalistic role implying that the laws contained in the Bible should be followed strictly. However, for the Orthodox Christians the information in the Bible is accompanied by mystics that require “divine intervention” from God to improve understanding (Woodhead, 2005, p.74). Consequently, the interpretations of the Bible with regard to the Catholic Christians have always demonstrated a centralized approach. However, the Orthodox approach towards the Bible is comparatively independent because they believe that only God reveals the secrets of the Bible to man. The legalistic role played by the Bible in Catholic Christianity is perhaps the cause for the separation of Christians who later came to be known as Orthodox Christians. Although the Bible plays an important authoritative and unifying role for both the Catholic and Orthodox Christians, it is evident that the differing perception with regard to how the provisions should be propagated led to the emergence of differing interpretations into the role of the Bible. The role of the Bible also defines the status the Bible in the traditions of the two Christian groups. Status of the Bible Among the Catholic Christians, the Bible takes an authoritarian position and this can be demonstrated historically during the times when the Bible was only available to the authority of the Church; the Pope. The Bible in itself according to both Orthodox and Catholic Christianity is the ultimate law of God and everybody should be made to believe in the Bible (Woodhead, 2005, p.59). According to Catholic Christianity, the Bible cannot be questioned even when discrepancies arise or contextual differences necessitate different interpretations. The Catholic Christians are so strict in their dogma that questions concerning the contextual interpretation of the Biblical teachings arise; they are always met with rebellion. The Catholic Church as a result has constantly received criticism from other Christian groups of fundamentalism as the literal interpretations in most instances generate inconsistencies. However, the modern Catholic Church seems to be taking into account some of the criticisms levered against its beliefs. On the other hand, the Orthodox Christians have always perceived the Bible as an important source of guidance that should not be imposed on people. In Orthodox Christianity, the Bible takes a mystic position. According to Sinclair & Marion, mystical Christianity places “emphasis on spiritual experiences” (2006, p.72). In essence, the Orthodox Christians believe that God still holds the revelation and that God reveals to mankind the deeper meanings of the Biblical texts. However, both the Catholic Christians and Orthodox Christians believe that the Bible is not an object of worship but a witness of the revelation of God to mankind. Consequently, both groups still refer to the Bible to for answers concerning both spiritual and worldly issues. In essence, Orthodox Christians hold the belief that God still holds the key to revelation of the Biblical provisions and that the Biblical texts have more than just their literal meanings. Sinclair and Marion outline that in Orthodox Christianity the Bible is not the only source of revelation but that God can also reveal himself through "visual images" (127). However, the Catholic Christians approach the Bible from its literal perspective and believe that all the power in the Bible rests with the provision of the texts. The general realization is that although both the Catholics and position the Bible as the key source of Christian faith, the Orthodox Christians allow for contemporary interpretations that do not violate the biblical principles. This realization brings into perspective the question of biblical authority with regard to the two groups. The Authority of the Bible The authority of the Bible is significantly connected to the status and the role of the Bible. The authority of the Bible in general among Christians is connected to the belief that the Bible contains the word of the Lord. Therefore, one key similarity with regard to Catholic and Orthodox Christians is that the Bible is the word of God. Consequently, the Catholic and the Orthodox Christians usually have the Bible read to them by the priest standing in front of the Church which is meant to emphasize on the fact that the Bible is the word of God. The Bible has always been a primary source of authority for the doctrines among the Catholic Christians and Orthodox Christians but the Bible has had to share authority with "Sacramentalism and top-down flow of sacred power" (Sinclair and Marion, 2006, p. 69). The authority of the Bible is also clearly demonstrated by the traditions in both groups to read the Bible in all their sermons. Both groups however, seem to incorporate the authority of the traditions alongside the authority of the Bible. Traditions such as the building of monasteries are evident in both Catholic and Orthodox Christians. Perhaps this is one aspect that distinguishes the two groups from other Christian groups such as the Protestants. According to Sinclair & Marion in the Study Guide, the Protestants who are primarily Biblical Christians place the whole authority of their faith on the Bible. On the other hand the Catholic and Orthodox Christians have their authority embedded in institutional hierarchy (71). For instance, the Protestants believe that the Bible is the only authority and refutes any inclusion of traditional norms in the doctrine of the church. There is nowhere in the Bible where life is monastery is mentioned, but the Catholic and Orthodox Christians have a tradition of having monasteries. In essence, both groups are in agreement that the authority of the church as interpreted by traditions should support the authority of their doctrines. The basis of the belief that the authority of the Bible should be shared with the traditional provisions has roots in the beliefs of the both the Catholic and Orthodox Christians in the power of the Holy Spirit. Both groups believe that in addition to the Bible, the Holy Spirit speaks to the followers through traditions. The basis of the Catholic tradition to limit the accessibility of the Bible by laymen was to prevent interpretation of the Bible without any knowledge of traditions. The perception was that there was the possibility of misinterpretation when the Bible was read without any considerations of Holy Spirit inspired traditions. Protestants have always argued that Catholic and Orthodox Christian’s doctrines create the impression that the Bible shares its authority with traditions (Sinclair and Marion, 2006, p.72). Although, both the Orthodox and Catholic Christians acknowledge the role of traditions with regard to the biblical authority, the Orthodox Christians believe that the power of the Bible is not within the texts but on the revelation that the Holy Spirit accords to human beings. The Orthodox Christianity essentially believes in extra-biblical aspect of Christianity. The general realization is that the traditions of both the Catholic and Orthodox Christians with regard to the authority of the Bible is that the Bible is an authority towards their teachings, but that it requires traditional input as inspired by the Holy Spirit. Conclusion Christian traditions have always been centralized around the provisions of the Bible most importantly the New Testament which contains the teachings of Jesus Christ. However, varied perceptions to the Biblical teachings have led to the emergence of different Christian groups. The Orthodox and Catholic Christians are an example of two such Christian groups. As evidence to their strong belief in the authority of the Bible the two groups share more similarities than differences. Both groups acknowledge the Bible as the word of God written by men who had been inspired by the Holy Spirit. However, Catholic Christians consider the Bible containing the law of God and that all people are bound to follow that law without question. On the other hand Orthodox Christians consider the Bible as playing the important role of teaching and guiding believers. The position of the Bible in both groups is that it is the source of their Christian Faith. However, Catholics demonstrated a more fundamental approach to the Bible due to its tendency to advocate for literal interpretation. On the hand Orthodox Christians believe in the mysticism of the Bible and that it is only through the power of the Holy Spirit that Biblical interpretation can be perfected. With regard to the authority of the Bible, the general realization is that both groups perceive that Biblical authority should be accompanied by traditions that have been inspired by the Holy Spirit. However, one general realization is that the traditions cultivated over time and perceptions towards Biblical interpretations have become the primary source of differences among Christian traditions. Reference List Sinclair, S., & Marion, B., 2006. A217 Introduction to Religions: Christianity Study Guide. London: The Open University. Woodhead, L., 2005. Christianity: A Very Short Introduction. New York: Oxford University Press. Read More