Church Matters: Retrieving the Great Tradition

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Chur ch Mat ter s : Ret r i ev i ng the Great Trad i t i on

III. We Need a Revitalized Shared Spirituality: The Great Tradition Affirmed the Church as Holy.

We hold communion with the apostolic churches because our doctrine is in no respect different from theirs. This is our witness of truth. ~ Tertullian, c. 197 (cf. David W. Bercot, ed. A Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs . Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 1998, p. 28).

A. The Great Tradition revealed a spiritual pilgrimage of the early Church as those called to sojourn as aliens in this hostile world.

1. They shunned the immorality and idolatry of their time, 1 Pet. 1.13-16 (ESV) – Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. [14] As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, [15] but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, [16] since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” They formed their own sense of Christian time, allegiance, and citizenship.

2. They sought to flesh out a holiness and purity that reflected their call to the Kingdom of God, Matt. 6.33.

3. Their allegiance to the Kingdom resulted in taking positions unpopular with the state and other religious communities: they were persecuted, 1 Pet. 4.3-5 (ESV) – The time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. [4 ]With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; [5] but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.