Questions tagged [tradition]
Referring to one of the two historical sources of theology (Scripture, Tradition). Relates to questions that ask about practices that have historically been the norm, and typically looking for an origin explanation
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How did the Catholic Church choose which Sacred Tradition is infallible?
How did the Catholic Church choose which Sacred Tradition is infallible when there are conflicting traditions, such as the Filioque controversy, especially considering that both the Catholic and ...
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Is the context of Mark 7:19 eating bread without ceremonial handwashing (Ref. Mark 7:1, Matt 15:2) or about unclean animals?
The contemporary Christian interpretation of the passage found in Mark 7:19 seems incompatible with the greater context of the chapter as a whole. How can this be about unclean meat?
Mark 7:19 NASB
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What is the difference between a Catholic custom and a Catholic tradition?
What is the difference between a Catholic custom and a Catholic tradition?
I have noticed a trend in recent years to call Catholic customs a Catholic tradition (with a small t).
Much confusion is out ...
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What do the unconventional shapes of coffins of Christian burial in some countries signify?
Coffins for the burial of Christians are traditionally made either in a hexagonal form with tapering at the shoulder point, or in a rectangular shape with proportionate length and width. But, ...
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What were the practices observance of which was abhorred by St Paul in Gal 4:9-10?
In Galatians 4:9-10 we see St Paul sending a terse message to the faithful abhorring their observance of days, months, seasons and years terming them weak and beggarly elements. Unfortunately, he does ...
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What did the Earliest Church Fathers teach about the Woman of Revelation 12?
This question is a rephrase of a different question asking if any early church fathers believed that Revelation 12:1-5 is about the Virgin Mary. It may be clearer and easier to find out what they ...
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Arguments for and against images of God
I am orthodox christian and on my walls I have icons of Jesus and Saints. But theese days I thought of the stature Christ the Redeemer from Brazil, Rio de Janeiro and I remembered some words from a ...
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Do any Christians claim there is there more merit in one's facing the east while making a prayer?
We see in Matthew 2:1-2 (NKJV) how the Wise Men from the East came to visit Infant Jesus, saying that they had seen his star in the east. But, there is a small issue here: if the Wise men had seen the ...
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Did Nicodemus use an unusually large quantity of spice- mixture to anoint Jesus' body on burial?
In John 19:39, we read that Nicodemus brought 75 pounds of (34 kg) mixture of myrrh and aloes to prepare the body of Jesus for burial. That is more than half the body weight of an average man of ...
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Was Jesus actually born at midnight?
In Luke 2, we get a narration of events surrounding the birth of Jesus. The angels announce the Nativity to the shepherds who are watching over the sheep in fields, mentioning the Town of David as ...
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Are there instructions in OT , specifying guidelines on maintenance of tombs?
In Matt 23:27, Jesus equates Sadducees and Pharisees to whitewashed tombs. Before the advent of long- lasting tombstones , the tombs , mostly formed of mud, used to be whitewashed and decorated with ...
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Is there a Church Tradition that the original Apostles were ever baptized?
I had been thinking about this, but since it isn't ever mentioned in the Bible, is there any teaching that says the original disciples and apostles were ever baptized?
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What is the rationale for Greek Orthodox's erection of a wall between the congregates and the altar?
Other Christian religions (e.g. Lutheran, Catholic, Baptist, et al.) leave access to the altar open for their congregations. Is there a special theological reason the the different approach by the ...
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Was Jesus crucified on the same cross he had carried to Calvary?
Some traditional drawings of crucifixion of Jesus show him hanging on the cross with his feet at a man's height above the ground. That seems justified, as we read in Jn 19:28-29:
After this, when ...
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Is there a deeper meaning for the depiction of Jesus' head tilted towards his right on the Crucifix?
We read in Jn 19:30 (KJKV):
When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
Lealani Acosta and her colleagues scoured the ...
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What commentary or traditions, if any, exist concerning the identity of the person named Joseph in Matthew 13?
I've been reading this passage a few times over:
When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from there. Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were ...
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Does any non-Catholic denomination maintain Altar Lamp, following Lev 6:12-13?
We read in Lev 6:12-13 (NIV) :
The fire on the altar must be kept burning; it must not go out. Every morning the priest is to add firewood and arrange the burnt offering on the fire and burn the fat ...
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Is the authorship of the New Testament Sacred Tradition in the Catholic and Orthodox churches?
For example, is the tradition that the Gospel of Matthew was "written according to Matthew" considered an infallible Sacred Tradition in the Catholic or Orthodox churches?
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By what name was Jesus called until the 8th day after his birth?
We read in Lk 2:21 , how Jesus was named :
After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
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Did the Early Church practice the salutation of “Peace to this House”, as had been taught by Jesus in Luke 10:5?
We Jesus instructing his disciples in Lk 10:1-5:
After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. He told them,...
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Is there a particular Catholic blessing for wine (outside of consecration)?
Listening to Trending with Timmerie podcast on Christmas traditions, the guest was talking about "Drinking the Love of St. John" which seems like a pretty fantastic idea. But it seems like ...
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How many prayers (to Heaven) by believers are in the 66 books of the (Protestant) Bible? Are any literally addressed to anyone except God?
I have counted over 200 prayers by believers (though not being thorough in Psalms) but find none addressed to anyone else in Heaven but God, or exhortations to do so.
While support for this is ...
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Did people of different cultures adopt No. 3 to signify completeness, from Christianity?
Christianity has held the number three in high esteem, as a symbol of completeness. For instance : The Trinity, The threefold office of Christ namely, that of prophet, priest, and king; three ...
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Will we have a new name in Heaven?
There has been a tradition among Catholic nuns to adopt a new name on the day of their Religious Profession, as a token of their having adopted a new method of living. A few Orders of religious ...
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The poor you will always have with you
In John Chapter 12 verses 1-8 Jesus says the famous quote "... The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have Me", or in the original greek:
τοὺς (the) πτωχοὺς (poor) ...
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What is the general survey, of pre-Vatican 2 Catholic tradition, for interpreting 1 Timothy 2:12 in a cultural/time bound manner?
Back in 1874, the American Protestant theologian, John W. Haley wrote one of the definitive works which defended the inerrancy and infallibility of Scripture. In his book, he argued:
...with fitting ...
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What is the Eastern Orthodox view of tradition and its authority?
Within the broad tradition of Eastern Orthodoxy, how is tradition viewed? Is it authoritative? If so, what parts? What about when Church fathers contradict each other in teaching? Which church father ...
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Whom or what did Azazel signify in the Old Testament?
We read of the name Azazel on three occasions in the OT:
Lev 16:8
and Aaron shall cast lots on the two goats, one lot for the Lord and the other lot for Azazel.
Leviticus 16:10
but the goat on ...
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What is the special significance of prayers said in a hushed voice by the celebrant during the Holy Mass of Catholic Church?
There are certain prayers in the Catholic Holy Mass across Rites, which the celebrant says in a hushed voice, barely audible to the faithful. In the pre-Vatican II days when both the faithful and the ...
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Where was the blessed Virgin Mary on Jesus' resurrection?
We know that the bible tells us that Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene first when Jesus was risen in
Mark 16:9 RHE
9 But he rising early the first day of the week, appeared first to Mary Magdalen; out ...
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According to Catholic scholars, what did Jesus really mean by `eagles gathering around corpses'in Lk 17: 34-37?
We see Jesus showing a fore-frame of His Second Coming, in Lk 17: 34-37 (NRSVCE):
I tell you, on that night there will be two in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. There will be two ...
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What other customary Catholic fasting periods are there aside from Lent?
Lent is presently the only period of fasting binding for Latin Catholics. However, I have come across other times for fasting that bind to one degree or another at various times (some being purely ...
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Was St. Joseph alive when Jesus came to preach in his hometown?
We read how Jesus is rejected in his home-town, in Mtt 13:54-55 (NRSVCE):
He came to his hometown and began to teach the people in their synagogue, so that they were astounded and said, “Where did ...
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How do Catholics assert certain Traditions being equal with Scripture when Scripture never says tradition can be of equal authority?
Correct me if I am wrong, but I heard somewhere that Roman Catholic doctrine asserts that tradition and scripture (the Bible) are on equal footing.
That being said, what does a practicing Catholic ...
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For traditional sources, how does the Catholic Church distinguish between holy truth and human speculation from the same author?
Some denominations believe that the Bible is the sole source of revealed knowledge (e.g. Protestant Sola scriptura).
Some believe that recorded oral tradition that doesn't contradict the Bible is a ...
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Does any denomination commemorate the Weaning Ceremony of Infant Jesus?
We read in Gen 21:5-8:
Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. Now Sarah said, “God has brought laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh with me.” And she said, “...
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Where did the nomenclature “godfather” originate from?
As per Catholic tradition, a baby at the time of baptism, gets a godfather and a godmother. They are the ones who present the child at baptism and promise to take responsibility for his/her ...
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The priest/preacher's prayer before the sermon/homily -- what is it and why do the ECLA (and others) do it?
Tried to put the gist of this in the subject.
Often in my tradition (ELCA), the preacher will say a quick prayer before preaching; often it's the "May the words of my mouth.." prayer, or ...
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Is there a written tradition that would explain why John the Evangelist is often depicted in art as effeminate?
John the Evangelist is often depicted in art as effeminate (e.g. long hair, clean shaven, gentle face), as illustrated below.
This is especially apparent when compared with other males in the same ...
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When did Catholic churches start using wooden clapper during Holy Week?
The crotalus or wooden clapper is an instrument used in churches across the world in Lenten season, especially during the Holy Week. Its sound evokes feelings of repentance, sacrifice, and remorse. ...
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What is the biblical basis for giving the bread/wafer to the laity at the Eucharist but reserving the wine for the clergy? [duplicate]
From my research I have discovered that traditional Catholic practice forbade congregants from partaking of the cup for fear they might spill or drip the blood of Christ, and then it would be trampled ...
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Did the women disciples of Jesus go to his tomb on Sunday morning to perform an optional Jewish ritual?
We read in Jn 19: 38-40 how Jesus's body was embalmed before his burial:
After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, ...
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How do the ideas of authority and infallibility relate to tradition in the Catholic Church?
I am currently trying to better understand the Catholic teachings of tradition’s role in establishing doctrine. What seems odd to me is that the writings of the church fathers differ in doctrinal ...
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According to believers in the deity of Christ, is the historical evidence for this belief as strong as the historial evidence for the Biblical canon?
I ask this question as a follow-up to For Christians who are skeptical of the writings of the Apostolic & Ante-Nicene Fathers, what is their epistemological basis for trusting a canon?. I highly ...
user50422
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What is the basis for baptism being the new circumcision?
I was recently listening to Dr. Scott Hahn on Pints with Aquinas. In that interview, Dr. Hahn mentions baptism as the new circumcision in relation to covenantal theology. His main point was that if ...
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How is the claim that the doctrine of Papal Infallibility has always existed within the Church substantiated?
These three related questions regarding Magisterial authority, the Church as custodian of truth, and the authority of Church tradition have brought up this new question.
The dogmatic definition (ex ...
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What Tradition is Paul referring to when he admonishes us to "hold the traditions which ye have been taught"?
For those who do not agree with Sola Scriptura, which is scripture alone is the source for all things pertaining to your salvation, they often quote this from Paul.
Therefore, brethren, stand fast, ...
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Unique Catholic Feasts of local Churches?
Unique Catholic (liturgical or otherwise) Feasts of local Churches?
I would like to gather information on local unique feasts that exist or have at one time existed within the Catholic Church either ...
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References explaining non-biblical dogmas in Roman Catholicism?
Where can I find an explanation for the non-biblical dogmas of Revelation in Roman Catholicism—such as papal infallibility, the Immaculate Conception, etc.?
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Did the Catholic Church make a conscious effort in re-naming the seven days of the week?
We see the Church having had great influence on many aspects of the development of human kind, including education, culinary habits etc. The very division of history by the term Before Christ and ...