Marking Time: Forming Spirituality through the Christian Year

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Mark i ng T ime : Formi ng Sp i r i tua l i t y through the Chr i s t i an Year

I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you.

2. This holding to tradition included both oral and written traditions of the apostles, 2 Thess. 2.15 (ESV) – So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter. 3. Ignoring the Apostolic Tradition was spiritually dangerous and reckless, 2 Thess. 3.6 (ESV) – Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. If Luther, Calvin, and Spener could speak to us today, they would assure us that the tapestry of the early Christian tradition is simple and compelling. They would call on us to restore the main threads, to let what is cental to the faith shine forth in bold relief. That is already being done in the renewing church; the pattern that is emerging is a thing of beauty. ~ Webber. The Majestic Tapestry , ibid. One The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has approximately 2.5 million members, 11,200 congregations and 21,000 ordained ministers. Pres byterians trace their history to the 16th century and the Protestant Reformation. Our heritage, and much of what we believe, began with the French lawyer John Calvin (1509-1564), whose writings crystallized much of the Reformed thinking that came before him.

II. The Founders of Christian Tradition: Three Levels of Christian Authority

~ The Presbyterian Church, U.S.A.

A. Level one: The Authoritative Tradition : the Apostles and the Prophets (the Holy Scriptures)