medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Sorry all, if this is getting too off-topic.
Ken, I don't think this term can be medieval, because it comes out of
the ecumenical movement. The "Great Tradition" necessarily implies
things that are common to Catholic, Orthodox, and (magisterial)
Protestant traditions.
Frank, this phrase is used in the ELCA/ELCIC debates, generally in
regards to sexual ethics.
I think Carl Braaten may have coined the term with capital letters,
though he may have gotten it from somewhere else--you might try
searching the archive of *First Things* for the term (or perhaps your
colleague already knows). To find out a definition, you might check
his book *Mother Church* or the collection of essays (one of which is
by Braaten, I think) *Reclaiming the Great Tradition*.
There is an overlapping use of the term in Roman Catholic thought, as
in the English translation of Pope John Paul II's encyclical *Fides et
Ratio* (1998), paragraph 85. The Latin phrase is "cum diuturna illa
traditione," which in context is translated "in the great tradition."
This may have influenced Bob Benne's use of the term, for instance.
Of course, for this information, it might be easiest if your colleague
asked Braaten or Benne.
Hope that helps,
Jonathan
On Thu, Sep 23, 2010 at 7:54 AM, Frank Morgret <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
> 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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