1. 8-2 Traditions: The One faith Handed On as a Living Reality
Class work Monday 4/20/15
Outline this section

2. Aim: What does Tradition mean?
Tradition versus traditions
Tradition “to hand over” is the process by which the church reflects on, deepens its understanding and hands on to every generation everything it believes is essential to the faith = Wisdom of the Church 4/14
1. Teaching, Worship, living
2. God’s truth
a). Given to us by Jesus
b). does not change
traditions are customary practices

3. Scripture and Tradition is the Catholic approach
Traditions came first, passed on by words, people to people
Scripture grew out of the Traditions of the early Church
The Church’s teaching voice
Magisterium “to teach” consists of the pope and the bishops who are responsible for discerning what is essential to the faith under the guidance of the Holy Spirit
Bishops successors of the apostles
Pope successor of Peter

4. B. Forms of Church Teaching
Pastoral letters by local bishops
Pastoral letter by national or regional conferences
Teaching documents at the requests of world bishops
a). Catechism of the Catholic Church
Ecumenical letters from world synod
b). Vatican II documents
Papal encyclical

5. a). Trinity, Incarnation, Resurrection
C. Doctrines and Dogmas 4/15
1. Doctrines are official church teaching by the Magisterium, understanding can grow over time
a). Immaculate Conception and Assumption of Mary were doctrines that became dogmas
2. Dogmas are that part of doctrine which has been divinely revealed and which the Church has formally defined and declared to be believed as revealed by God.
a). Trinity, Incarnation, Resurrection

6. 3. all dogmas are doctrines but all doctrines are not dogmas
4. Infallibility the church is free from error when making a solemn definition on matters of faith and morals