Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!uwm.edu!rutgers!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: jhpb@garage.att.com Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: Why invoke the Saints? Message-ID: Date: 5 Jun 90 04:24:00 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: AT&T Bell Labs (Liberty Corner) Lines: 30 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu Carl wrote: > By justifying a tradition with scripture (this must be done by every person > following the tradition), we learn its true meaning and can justify its > continuation. Without scriptural meaning, tradition is just "going thru > the motions". There are traditions, and then there's Tradition. Using incense, and church bells, and things of that sort are not quite the same as what is meant by Tradition. Tradition stems from the Catholic idea of the Church. It's held to be a visible organization guided by the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost ensures that the thought of the Church through the centuries reflects the consequences of the original revelation faithfully. That's why Tradition is so important. Tradition is the historical attitude of the Church in things related to Divine Revelation. So, when discussing theological matters, it is important to be aware of the history that is involved. On issues like invoking the saints, there is a large amount of historical precedence involved. It's been practiced in the West for at least 1600-1700 years now. The guidance of the Holy Ghost makes it a capital T Tradition, because it's so old, widespread, and fundamental an issue. Tradition doesn't have to be based on Scripture; Scripture itself is only a basic Tradition. It has no value apart from being the Tradition of the Church. Joe Buehler