Anglican Dogma?

I just read an interesting article in Anglican Theological Review (Vol 86 No. 4) by Robert Hughes III at the School of Theology at Sewanee. "Dogma and Freedom" suggests that a way to move forward is the recovery of the idea of Dogma in the Anglican Communion. Dogmas are those beliefs in the church which are absolutely basic to the faith. "A doctrine becomes a dogma when an ecumenical council of the universal church declares that such and such a doctrine has become dogma because all known alternatives can be shown clearly to damage and subvert the Gospel." All other beliefs are doctrine, which are important but not essential. We have shied away from this term because of its use by the Roman Catholic church to encompass the Immaculate Conception and Papal Infallability. But Hughes points out that by the definitiion above, only two doctrines pass muster to become dogma: the Trinity, and the Two natures in one person of Christ. "The rule I give my students is simple: you are not only entitled to be dogmatic about dogma, you are required to be; you are not to be dogmatic about anything else, except the ressurection of Jesus, which, as the core of the Gospel, is the very reason for the questions which the dogmas answer." Hughes suggests that these dogmas, which are shared by almost all Anglicans, whether "traditional" or "progressive," opens up a huge amount of freedom for scriptural and theological debate. If we acknowledge the historic distinction between dogma and doctrine, our current debates take on a different tone. I've never seen this idea articulated so clearly. Very interesting.

David+

Comments

[John Wilkins]

Very interesting blog. I like it - short and simple. The Trinity and the Two Persons.

For me, even more basic: God suffers; but there is hope.

[Caelius Spinator]

Dogmas You Didn't Mention

1. Mary as Theotokos, but that's implied in the dual nature of Christ.

2. Against the pre-existence of souls or the presence of rational souls in the celestial bodies (2nd Council of Constantinople)

3. Against universalism (2nd Council of Constantinople)

4. Against the sphericity of souls at the resurrection of the dead (2nd Council of Constantinople)

5.God's power to create is not limited. (2nd Council of Constantinople)

6.Validity of the adoration of relics and icons (2nd Council of Nicaea)

[FrDavid]

The part I did not mention in the article talks about the neccessity of "reception" after the propogation of a dogma. This would be where the "sense of the faithful" (Sensus Fidelium) would accept the doctrine as indeed being dogma. While I generally agree with the doctrines as listed, I doubt "against the sphericity of souls" has ever really been received or even considered by the faithful. I think points 1, 2, and 6 would come close to being universally recieved. Not everything agreed on by councils is by definition a dogma.

David+

[Bibleplayer 2011]

very nice really appreciate the blog thanks dude for the blog the stuff was so simple and excellent.....:)