Formal principle and
material principle are two categories in
ChristianChristianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as presented by the revelations in the New Testament....
theologyThe term "theology" literally means the study of God, deriving from the Greek word theos, meaning 'God', and the suffix -ology from the Greek word logos meaning "discourse", "theory", or "reasoning"...
to identify and distinguish the authoritative source of theology (formal principle) from the theology itself, especially the central doctrine of that theology (material principle), of a
religionA religion is a system of human thought which usually includes a set of narratives, symbols, beliefs and practices that give meaning to the practitioner's experiences of life through reference to a higher power, deity or deities, or ultimate truth...
, religious movement, tradition, body,
denominationA religious denomination is a subgroup within a religion that operates under a common name, tradition, and identity.The term describes various Christian denominations...
, or organization. A
formal principle tends to be texts or revered leaders of the religion, while a
material principle, its central teaching.
Discussion
Ask a question about 'Formal principle' Start a new discussion about 'Formal principle' Answer questions from other users |
Formal principle and
material principle are two categories in
ChristianChristianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as presented by the revelations in the New Testament....
theologyThe term "theology" literally means the study of God, deriving from the Greek word theos, meaning 'God', and the suffix -ology from the Greek word logos meaning "discourse", "theory", or "reasoning"...
to identify and distinguish the authoritative source of theology (formal principle) from the theology itself, especially the central doctrine of that theology (material principle), of a
religionA religion is a system of human thought which usually includes a set of narratives, symbols, beliefs and practices that give meaning to the practitioner's experiences of life through reference to a higher power, deity or deities, or ultimate truth...
, religious movement, tradition, body,
denominationA religious denomination is a subgroup within a religion that operates under a common name, tradition, and identity.The term describes various Christian denominations...
, or organization. A
formal principle tends to be texts or revered leaders of the religion, while a
material principle, its central teaching. These categories were articulated, developed, and utilized by the Lutheran scholar, F.E. Mayer, in his
The Religious Bodies of America in order to facilitate a comparative study of the faith and practice of Christian
denominationA Christian denomination is an identifiable religious body under a common name, structure, and doctrine within Christianity.Worldwide, Christians are divided, often along ethnic and linguistic lines, into separate churches and traditions. Technically, divisions between one group and another are...
s in the
United StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. This is also treated in a theological pamphlet entitled,
Gospel and Scripture by the Commission on Theology and Church Relations of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.
Eastern Orthodoxy
-
- Formal Principle -- the Bible
The Bible contains the central religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. Modern Judaism generally recognizes a single set of canonical books known as the Tanakh, or Hebrew Bible, as it is written almost entirely in the Hebrew language, with some small portions in Aramaic...
and the "sacred tradition."
- Material Principle -- Jesus Christ's work of theopoiesis or theosis
In Christian theology, particularly in Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Oriental Orthodoxy theology, theosis is the process of transformation of a believer who is putting into practise the spiritual teachings of Jesus Christ and His gospel...
(θέωσις), the ultimate deification of man. They cite Athanasius of AlexandriaAthanasius of Alexandria , also given the titles Athanasius the Great, Pope Athanasius I of Alexandria, and Athanasius the Apostolic, was a Christian theologian, bishop of Alexandria, Church Father, and a noted Egyptian leader of the fourth century. He is best remembered for his role in the...
from his Incarnation of the Word: "Christ assumed humanity that we might become God."
Roman Catholicism
-
- Formal Principle -- the Bible
The Bible contains the central religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. Modern Judaism generally recognizes a single set of canonical books known as the Tanakh, or Hebrew Bible, as it is written almost entirely in the Hebrew language, with some small portions in Aramaic...
, Tradition, Reason, the PopeThe pope is the Bishop of Rome and, as such, is leader of the worldwide Catholic Church...
, and the MagisteriumThe Magisterium is the "teaching authority of the Roman Catholic Church". The word is derived from Latin magisterium, which originally meant the office of a president, chief, director, superintendent, etc...
.
- Material Principle -- "Man's soul, since it comes directly from God, is good and strives for reunion with God, realized in the beatific vision of God. Man's body is subject to sin and is alienated from God. Therefore man must be progressively justified, i.e., be made just. This result is effected when through the sacraments man enters into the 'state of grace' and observes the commandments which the church ... by her 'divine commission,' imposes upon the 'faithful.'"
Lutheranism
-
- Formal Principle -- the Bible
The Bible contains the central religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. Modern Judaism generally recognizes a single set of canonical books known as the Tanakh, or Hebrew Bible, as it is written almost entirely in the Hebrew language, with some small portions in Aramaic...
alone (sola Scriptura)
- Material Principle -- "a synopsis and summary of the Christian truth" that people are justified by God's grace through faith in Christ alone.
Anglicanism
-
- Formal Principle in general—The Bible
The Bible contains the central religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. Modern Judaism generally recognizes a single set of canonical books known as the Tanakh, or Hebrew Bible, as it is written almost entirely in the Hebrew language, with some small portions in Aramaic...
, the authority of the church, and reason. Specifically, for individuals of different churchmanshipWithin Anglicanism the term churchmanship is sometimes used to refer to distinct understandings of church doctrine and liturgical practice by members of the Church of England and other churches of the Anglican communion...
:
- Low Church—the Bible
The Bible contains the central religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. Modern Judaism generally recognizes a single set of canonical books known as the Tanakh, or Hebrew Bible, as it is written almost entirely in the Hebrew language, with some small portions in Aramaic...
as the only source and the all sufficient norm of religious truth.
- High Church -- "doctrinal authority rested successively in Christ, in the teaching church, in the Scriptures, and in the councils." This is called the consensus fidelium ("agreement of the faithful").
- Broad Church—along with the Bible
The Bible contains the central religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. Modern Judaism generally recognizes a single set of canonical books known as the Tanakh, or Hebrew Bible, as it is written almost entirely in the Hebrew language, with some small portions in Aramaic...
and the consensus fidelium is included "God's self-disclosure in the religious and moral development of the human race as a whole, in the religion of Israel, the person of Christ, and the life of His mystical body, the church."
- Material Principle:
- Low Church -- "the doctrine of God's grace which faith apprehends without the addition of human works."
- High Church—the worship of the church and apostolic succession
Apostolic succession is the doctrine in some of the more ancient Christian communions that the succession of bishops, in uninterrupted lines, is historically traceable back to the original Twelve Apostles. Apostolic succession is not the same as the Petrine supremacy . As a general rule,...
.
- Broad Church—a life which conforms to the ethical teachings of Jesus.
Zwinglianism
-
- Formal Principle -- the Bible
The Bible contains the central religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. Modern Judaism generally recognizes a single set of canonical books known as the Tanakh, or Hebrew Bible, as it is written almost entirely in the Hebrew language, with some small portions in Aramaic...
and direct revelation from the Holy Spirit.
- Material Principle -- absolute divine causality.
Calvinism
-
- Formal Principle -- the Bible
The Bible contains the central religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. Modern Judaism generally recognizes a single set of canonical books known as the Tanakh, or Hebrew Bible, as it is written almost entirely in the Hebrew language, with some small portions in Aramaic...
as the sole standard of all truth (sola scriptura).
- Material Principle -- the glory of God.
Methodism
-
- Formal Principle -- the Bible
The Bible contains the central religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. Modern Judaism generally recognizes a single set of canonical books known as the Tanakh, or Hebrew Bible, as it is written almost entirely in the Hebrew language, with some small portions in Aramaic...
, reason, teachings of the ancient church.
- Material Principle -- the perfected man, i.e. entire sanctification.