Understanding lumen gentium is essential to the interpretation of the councils subsequent documents, especially unitatis redintegratio. Lumen gentium 8 dogmatic constitution on the church november 21, 1964. It is a pamphlet size paper back, and was the most inexpensive and complete version of the lumen gentium that i could find. There is a certain nature through which whatever is exists, and which exists through itself, and is the highest of all existing beings. Basing itself upon sacred scripture and tradition, it teaches that the church, now.
But the whole process of vatican ii, including this document, did prove to be a catalyst for ecumenical dialogue in many ways. Conflicting interpretations of lumen gentium 16 homiletic. The constitution on the church from vatican council ii an expositiontestament book. The importance of lumen gentium 16 published in the fall 2011 edition of the fellowship of catholic scholars quarterly ralph martin blessed john paul iis repeated calls for a. This sacred council wishes to turn its attention firstly to the catholic faithful. For the sake of accuracy, a summary of, and occasional brief commentary on, each of the eight chapters that comprise the document shall be presented in chronological order. The lumen gentium theory about our present ecclesial circumstance ruby, griff on. The drafting of lumen gentium featured today catholic. It has to be studied in terms of the counciliar action and documents that preceded and followed it. The essay that follows highlights some of the more salient themes that characterize lumen gentium. If the articles that this occasions reflect a strain of theological commentary on this text that narrowly focused on the issue of collegiality of bishops. The theological context of and introduction to chapter 8.
The books of the old testament describe the history of salvation, by which the coming of christ into the world was slowly prepared. A classic that we all should be familiar with if we want to understand the church. After reading and reflecting, each parishioner is invited to contribute his or her input to the production of a pastoral resource titled 10 things we want you to know about the catholic faith. Lumen gentium, the dogmatic constitution on the church, is one of the principal documents of the second vatican council. The major marian teaching of vatican ii, lumen gentium, chapter 8 does not stand alone. It retains the original chapter and numbering according to the actual ordered sections of the document. Lumen gentium represents an important synthesis of biblical, patristic, medieval and tridentine ecclesiology, combined with orthodox elements of the new theological movement. The constitution on the church from vatican council ii an expositiontestament book cranny, titus on. For the first time in the life of the church, the leadership has put in writing a description of the inner nature and universal mission of the church, and did so without adding any additional teachings. For example, aloys grillmeiers commentary on lg 16 concentrates on 16a. In a radio address the dear pope insisted that christ was truly the light for humanity and that the church was the way the light of christ shines on our world. This dogmatic constitution was promulgated by pope paul vi on november 21, 1964, following approval by the assembled bishops by a vote of 2,151 to 5. Dogmatic constitution on the church lumen gentium victor clore. The churchs explanation of her nature, mission, and structure in the world.
The following is a summary of lumen gentium, the second vatican council document. The church exists in the here and now, yet has a goal beyond history when god will be all in all 1 cor. During the first and second session of the historic meeting, the councils deliberations focused upon the nature and mission of the church. Lumen gentium, was solemnly promulgated on november 21, 1964, by pope paul vi, who continued, and ultimately brought to conclusion, the ecumenical council that his predecessor had begun.
This reflection and discussion guide is intended to help small groups with their reading and prayerful. Is mary relevant a commentary on chapter 8 of lumen. Regarding the ecclesiology of lumen gentium, certain key ideas do. That is to say that, instead of emphasizing the vertical line of control, lumen gentium emphasizes a horizontal line where the people of god are made important omalley 174. A wonderful explanation of the church in all its parts, as the bride of christ as the. The theological context of and introduction to chapter 8 of lumen gentium.
Flammarion was a wellknown french astronomer, writer and highly successful popularizer of science during the late 19th century. Translation and commentary 9780393316704 by robert alter. This article uses both lumen gentium and lumen gentium. Read lumen gentium study guide questions for chapter 2. Rethinking the benedict option in light of lumen gentium. This collegial union is apparent also in the mutual. Matthias who was chosen to take judas iscariots office was listed among the twelve apostles, and some suppose that merely to restore the. One should recall that this was a favorite phrase of john xxiii. These earliest documents, as they are read in the church and are understood in the light of a further and full revelation, bring the figure of the woman, mother of the redeemer, into a gradually clearer light. This dogmatic constitution was promulgated by pope paul vi on 21 november 1964, following approval by the assembled bishops by a vote of 2,151 to 5. What is the purpose of lumen gentium, and how can it help us. We have reached the purpose statement of lumen gentium. And now benedict xvi has institutionalized this emphasis on evangelization with his establishment. Today, the ideas explored in lumen gentium continue to inspire theological reflection and renewal.
Gods sheepfold, gods estate, a building with christ as cornerstone, temple of living stones, new jerusalem, gods spouse. The universal call to holiness rediscovering lumen gentium. On the people of god so revolutionary is the new stress it put on the equality and unity of all the churchs members. The benedict option contradicts what the church has called us to do and what christ is asking of us, which is to be salt and light to a fallen world. Lumen gentium begins with the church as mystery rather than the churchs hierarchical structures and government as did the documents of vatican council i that is, the paradoxical union of the human and divine. In chapter four, lumen gentium will discuss the unique role the lay members of the body of christ play. The theological context of and introduction to chapter 8 of. Chapter 18 vatican council ii and the church in the modern world paperback book author fr. Jun 02, 2012 lumen gentium, light of nations, vatican ii, 1964 changed nothing in the ecclesiology of the roman catholic church, and it was designed that way. Where the question has been discussed before, here and here, there has been a decided consensus in favour of treating such names on wikipedia as incipits, not as titles. The distinguished literary critic and a close reader of ancient hebrew brings out subtle nuances frequently overlooked, and muses on the art of translation. They include dei verbum, sacrosanctum concilium, gaudium et spes, and lumen gentium. Summary and analysis of chapter viii of lumen gentium.
In this commentary, we will strive to make clear what is the traditional basis for the constitutions assertions, following the documents own citations. Summary of lumen gentium on shaun mcafee the following is a summary of lumen gentium, the second vatican council document. Marys relation to christ in the divine plan of redemptive incarnation 52 1 god revealed that to save us he sent his son born of a woman gal 4. Because this is so, this sacred synod gathered together in the holy spirit eagerly desires, by proclaiming the gospel to every creature, to bring the light of christ to all men, a light brightly visible on the countenance of the church. Jared dees is the creator of the religion teacher, a website with resources for catholic educators, and the author of 31 days to becoming a better religious educator and a new study guide with commentary and reflection questions to help adults read, understand, and live the encyclical, lumen fidei the light of faith. Pdf recent views of lumen gentium, fifty years after vatican ii. Is mary relevant a commentary on chapter 8 of lumen gentium. We may surmise that the fathers of the council took a hint from his holiness, john. Lumen gentium, was solemnly promulgated on november 21, 1964, by pope. Lumen was first published by camille flammarion 18421925 in 1872 as part of the stories of infinity collection. Chapter viii of lumen gentium mondays with mary the blessed virgin mary in lumen gentium, part iii by tom perna on november 24, 2014 leave a comment.
Again, lumen gentium focuses on the special role the hierarchy plays, given the gifts of the grace of the apostles, in uniting the rest of the body. Overview, choose from over 110 bible commentaries freely available online at for sermon, bible study, and sunday school preparation. Explain the connection between the church of christ and the nation of israel, both called the people of god 2. As martin states early in his book, the church definitely teaches that it is. To better understand the way in which this document was written, we interviewed jesuit father peter gumpel, who collaborated day by day in the drafting of the document. Aug 03, 2018 in light of lumen gentium, as well as documents such as gaudium et spes and christifideles laici, theres no way the laity can walk away from its mission. Accordingly, a preliminary note of explanation in latin, nota explicativa. However, you will see that most of lumen gentium contains basic language and many references to sacred scripture. Those who cite lumen gentium as evidence of a brand new ecclesiology do so by quoting it partially or noncontextually. Art for conflicting interpretations of lumen gentium 16 by echeverria. The sacred scriptures of both the old and the new testament, as well as ancient tradition show the role of the mother of the saviour in the economy of salvation in an ever clearer light and draw attention to it. Gentium, is one of the main documents of the second vatican council.
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