dogmatic developement

[kamikat]

Do things like teachings on divorce or birth control qualifiy as tradition, small t, or practices, not as Dogma, correct? Same with things like age of ordination, or adding feast days to the calendar?
So when people say "the unchanging faith of the Fathers", they are not including these things. Am I understanding that correctly?

kamikat

[MariaRegina]

We have economia (sort of like a dispensation).

I will let others develop this topic. ;)

[kamikat]

Yes, I understand that, but I'm trying to figure out what it applies to. Orthodoxy's claim is that the faith is the same as passed on by the Apostles, but clearly the church, church laws and worship is not exactly the same as in the second century. Granted, the book I'm currently reading is a VERY brief overview of the development of the church, but it clearly shows additions in worship and practices.
kamikat

[repentant]

Yes, I understand that, but I'm trying to figure out what it applies to. Orthodoxy's claim is that the faith is the same as passed on by the Apostles, but clearly the church, church laws and worship is not exactly the same as in the second century. Granted, the book I'm currently reading is a VERY brief overview of the development of the church, but it clearly shows additions in worship and practices.
kamikat

The thinigs above you stated are not what are considered "unchanging faith of the Father's". Unchanging faith of the Father's would include more of the "You have to believe or your not Orthodox" type beliefs. The one's above you mentioned aren't the same across the various jurisdictions within Orthodoxy.

[HandmaidenOfGod]

When they refer to the "unchanging faith of the Fathers" they are referring to things like the Nicene Creed, the Scriptures, things like that.

Hope this helps...

[Veritas_et_Puritas]

I have to share this... I was reading about how birth control pills often act as abortifacients and I came upon a site that asks this very question (about forms of birth control in general). It is an Orthodox source that I found the other day and I thought it was really fascinating, though it is just a theory and has not been investigated more thoroughly.

Early Christian Opposition to Abortion (http://yya.oca.org/TheHub/Articles/TheChurchonCurrentIssues/OrthodoxChristianAndAbortion.htm)

A thought-provoking read.

[kamikat]

Ok, thanks, everyone! My head was swimming yesturday reading about stuff I've never heard of (false decretals, donation of Constantine, councils where papal legates never showed up). Sometimes I just get overloaded.

kamikat

[HandmaidenOfGod]

Ok, thanks, everyone! My head was swimming yesturday reading about stuff I've never heard of (false decretals, donation of Constantine, councils where papal legates never showed up). Sometimes I just get overloaded.

kamikat

An Ancient faith that is foreign to most of the Western world that is steeped in tradition and has a tradition for just about every little thing overwhelming?! Nah, couldn't be! :P

If it's any comfort, I'm cradle Orthodox and at times feel overwhelmed.

Hang in there! :hug: