medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
On 23/09/2010 2:04 AM, Ken Grant wrote:
> medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
>
> To the list,
>
> I have a bit of an odd query. A colleague of mine is working on an article involving contemporary splinter groups within Lutheranism, and a particular phrase has been used so frequently (without ever being defined by the people using it) that he asked if I might help find any possible medieval usages to try to nail down its origin. The phrase, used as a slogan or descriptive - "The Great Tradition". If it helps, this phrase is being bandied about by those essentially taking a 'conservative' position on contemporary moral issues, and those using the phrase seem to be trying to tie it to a point in church history when the church established particular positions on issues of morality and biblical interpretation. We both agree that this simply may be some folks using the term as a bit of a golden age type. Nonetheless, any notion if this particular phrase was used during the Medieval period as a particular reference? Any help would be appreciated.
>
Ken,
As many of the kind folks on this list know, I am a retired LCC (the
Canadian synod in fellowship with Misery Synod in the US) pastor and
professor. I have been described by the late Dr. J.A.O. Preus as "so
narrow-minded I can see through a keyhole with both eyes." My areas of
(alleged) competence are historical and doctrinal theology. For the
record, I've never heard the term "The Great Tradition" used among
Lutherans.
From this, it seems to me you can draw one of three conclusions:
a. The term is of recent coinage and more or less /ad hoc/ definition.
b. I'm deaf.
c. Senile dementia has overtaken me at last.
You pays your money and you takes your choice.
I cannot see how this is of much help, but I can always hope.
Kindest regards,
Frank
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