Less than one decade after the Resurrection of Jesus, it seems that the early Church seems to be involved in conflict. Can the Holy Spirit really be at work in those circumstances?
Perhaps the question could be rephrased this way: "Is there a place for both controversy and peace in our Church?" There are a lot of ways to qualify the meanings of "dissension" and "debate," but the underlying thrust is the same: disagreement over a matter of importance, at least to the parties engaged in the debate. The year is only about 49 or 50 AD when this occurred, which shows that lively arguments were arising whenever "changes" occurred that would alter or even threaten to modify "established" rituals and practices.
The answer then, is a resounding "YES." The Church grew and still grows in understanding its faith through lively discussions and debates among qualified theologians. Those discussions have been going on ever since the vision of St. Peter (Acts 10) which led to the baptism of the first Gentiles (Cornelius' household), around 43 AD. So, it’s important to recognise the wording of the Apostles' decision regarding the waiver of the former discipline of circumcision: "It has been decided by the Holy Spirit and by ourselves not to saddle you up with any burden beyond these essentials (Acts 15:28). Clearly, the dietary laws, variations in certain rituals, and similar disciplines were deemed eligible for change as circumstances warranted.
Every suggested change creates healthy discussions, and is preceded by healthy discussions. Closure is then brought to the discussion at some point in time, when the Apostles (or their successors, the united Bishops) reach a decision. Cultural conditioning plays a large part in some decisions (e.g., Paul insisting that women had to wear hats in church), as it does today - also called matters of "discipline."
Friends, maybe it’s better to leave the debates in the hands of the theologians, who are schooled in the ways of theological research, and who know the difference between debate and dissension. At some point in time, the Magisterium - the official and recognised teaching office of the Catholic church - reaches a decision on a subject, and to that decision we owe the obedience of faith or assent of faith (optimally), or as a minimum the religious respect of intellect and will; and the Christian faithful are called upon "to take care to avoid whatever is not in harmony with that teaching" (Canon Law #752).
Perhaps the question could be rephrased this way: "Is there a place for both controversy and peace in our Church?" There are a lot of ways to qualify the meanings of "dissension" and "debate," but the underlying thrust is the same: disagreement over a matter of importance, at least to the parties engaged in the debate. The year is only about 49 or 50 AD when this occurred, which shows that lively arguments were arising whenever "changes" occurred that would alter or even threaten to modify "established" rituals and practices.
The answer then, is a resounding "YES." The Church grew and still grows in understanding its faith through lively discussions and debates among qualified theologians. Those discussions have been going on ever since the vision of St. Peter (Acts 10) which led to the baptism of the first Gentiles (Cornelius' household), around 43 AD. So, it’s important to recognise the wording of the Apostles' decision regarding the waiver of the former discipline of circumcision: "It has been decided by the Holy Spirit and by ourselves not to saddle you up with any burden beyond these essentials (Acts 15:28). Clearly, the dietary laws, variations in certain rituals, and similar disciplines were deemed eligible for change as circumstances warranted.
Every suggested change creates healthy discussions, and is preceded by healthy discussions. Closure is then brought to the discussion at some point in time, when the Apostles (or their successors, the united Bishops) reach a decision. Cultural conditioning plays a large part in some decisions (e.g., Paul insisting that women had to wear hats in church), as it does today - also called matters of "discipline."
Friends, maybe it’s better to leave the debates in the hands of the theologians, who are schooled in the ways of theological research, and who know the difference between debate and dissension. At some point in time, the Magisterium - the official and recognised teaching office of the Catholic church - reaches a decision on a subject, and to that decision we owe the obedience of faith or assent of faith (optimally), or as a minimum the religious respect of intellect and will; and the Christian faithful are called upon "to take care to avoid whatever is not in harmony with that teaching" (Canon Law #752).
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