Monday, June 4

Just a quick question

Sr. Margaret Farley, Ph.D., Heretic
If a theologian propounds a viewpoint which is supported by the Deposit of Faith (which is to say, Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture) and the prelates discern, in good faith, that it is at variance with current Magisterial teaching, who is the heretic?

The theologian who pronounces the Truth as revealed to them within Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition?

The bishops and prelates who see this revelation as being at odds with their teaching?

I seem to recall that the prelates in Jerusalem voiced the very same complaints against some ill-educated Nazarene.

Just sayin.

2 comments:

  1. The theologian, because a heretic is simply one who is not towing the party line.

    The prelates/bishops can't be, because they get to decide what the party line is.

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    Replies
    1. Well, herein lies the rub.

      The 'party line' would be Magisterial teaching....which may or may not coincide with the Deposit of Faith and just because the 'Party' says X doesn't mean that everyone within the Magisterium agrees.

      Further, heresy is, as St. Thomas Aquinas defined it, "a species of infidelity in men who, having professed the faith of Christ, corrupt its dogmas."

      A theologian is a trained scholar in the study and interpretation of the Deposit of Faith, whose interest in the matter is academic.

      The Magisterium is made up of all of the bishops and prelates. Some are theologians, though most are not, and the Magisterium is part of the hierarchy and has non-altruistic concerns.

      So, when the Magisterium changes the 'party line' such that it is at variance with Scripture and Tradition...and a theologian calls them on it....who is the heretic?

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