Dogma in the Catholic Church
A dogma of the Catholic Church is defined as "a truth revealed by God, which the magisterium of the Church declared as binding".[1] The Catechism of the Catholic Church states:
The faithful are only required to accept a teaching as dogma if the Catholic Church clearly and specifically identifies them as dogmas.[1]
Elements: Scripture and tradition[edit]
The concept of dogma has two elements: 1) the public revelation of God, which is divine revelation as contained in sacred scripture (the written word) and sacred tradition, and 2) a proposition of the Catholic Church, which not only announces the dogma but also declares it binding for the faith. This may occur through an ex cathedra decision by a Pope, or by a definitive statement made by an Ecumenical Council.[3] Truths formally and explicitly revealed by God are dogmas in the strict sense when they are proposed or defined by the church, such as the articles of the Nicene Creed which are drawn from the early church councils.[4] Catholicism holds that the understanding of scripture continues to deepen and mature over time through the action of the Holy Spirit in the history of the church and in the understanding of that faith by Christians, all the while staying identical in essence and substance.[5] Dei verbum states: "both sacred tradition and Sacred Scripture are to be accepted and venerated with the same sense of loyalty and reverence".[5]
Ecumenical aspects[edit]
Protestant theology since the reformation was largely negative on the term dogma. This changed in the 20th century, when Karl Barth in his book Kirchliche Dogmatik stated the need for systematic and binding articles of faith.[40]
The Creed is the most comprehensive – but not complete[e] – summary of important Catholic dogmas (it was originally used during baptism ceremonies). The Creed is a part of Sunday liturgy. Because many Protestant Churches have retained the older versions of the Creed, ecumenical working groups are meeting to discuss the Creed as the basis for better understandings of dogma.[41]
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the : Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Dogma". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.
