What is dogmatism in Orthodox Christianity?

Before proceeding to this difficult, but rather interesting topic, let us first understand what dogma is. This word from the ancient Greek language means "decision", "opinion" or "decision". Basically the term "dogma" is mainly used in Christianity, it means something unchangeable and indisputable, determined and affirmed by the Church and is not subject to any criticism and doubt. The dogma refers to a theological, revealed truth, which contains the doctrine of God and His economy.

What is dogma

Christian dogmas are considered and established in the Ecumenical Councils (meetings of the higher clergy), which for more than two thousand years there were only seven. Conscious retreat, another interpretation or rejection of dogmas is called heresy, which often became the cause of religious conflicts. Dogmatic teachings include such disciplines as the Law of God and the Catechism. They contain the basic religious dogmas about which we will talk later.

Dogmas were established in the apostolic times, Christ revealed to people all the necessary doctrine for the salvation of the human soul. Dogmas can not arise suddenly and be novelties. The divine teaching is not so theoretical as practical, and therefore incomprehensible to the mind of the unclean from the sinful passions.

The dogmas of Christianity

As already mentioned above, the dogmatic base of Christianity was formed in the era of the Ecumenical Councils as a response to the spread of various kinds of heretical movements, especially in the III-IV centuries. Each established dogma put an obstacle, cut off false understandings and directions of heretical teachings.

Continuing the theme "What is dogma?", It should be noted that the essence of all divine teachings was already contained in the Holy Scripture, and at first it was not necessary to build them into the framework of the dogmatic system. But then the human mind nevertheless showed the need for an understandable and logical interpretation of the doctrines that were still dogmatically not formalized and in some places difficult to perceive. In the first centuries of the emergence of Christianity, this led to the creation of philosophical and theological schools.

The emergence of schools and books

Mainly, two of them were distinguished: the Alexandrian and the Antioch. That's where the first heresies began to emerge. To discover, and then eradicate, the Ecumenical Councils were convened to denounce heretical utterances and establish the doctrinal truths of the Christian Revelation in the form of brief definitions.

Time passed, and in the IV century St. Cyril of Jerusalem created a "Catechetical Teachings", where he revealed the true meaning of the Creed and the main ordinances of the Christian Church.

Literally after a while, there was a "Great Word of Annunciation" of St. Gregory of Nyssa, where he set forth an important experience of his dogmatic study.

By the fifth century, the bishop and theologian Theodoret of Cyrus compiled a tutorial "Reducing Divine Dogmas." Approximately at the same time in the West, blessed Augustine wrote the book "Guide for Lavretia", which very much resembles the Catechism.

An experience

However, one of the best works of the first millennium is considered to be the treatise "The Source of Knowledge" by John Damascene, especially the third part of this textbook entitled "Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith".

In the IV century, the Eastern Fathers of the Church began to call all the truths contained in Revelation, but only those that relate to the domain of faith. Thus, the St. Gregory of Nyssa divided his own theological doctrine into exact dogmas and the moral part. However, the Gospel is not a collection of moralistic precepts. Even the highest morale does not give strength to fulfill its injunctions. Only with the assistance of the grace of God can man become truly spiritually and morally better and begin to do good. "Without me you can not do anything," Christ said.

The dogmas of the Orthodox Christian faith

The main dogma of Orthodoxy is to venerate the One Trinity: God the Father - the Mind, God the Son - the Word and the God of the Holy Spirit - the Spirit. And the Doubles: Jesus Christ is God and man. This is taught by the holy fathers, whose main religious dogmas are a law that can not be questioned. In all there are twelve.

The dogmas of the religion of Orthodox Christianity:

• About the Holy Trinity.
• About the Fall.
• On the Atonement of mankind from sin.
• On the Incarnation of Christ.
• On the Resurrection of Christ.
• On the Ascension of Christ.
• On the Second Coming of the Savior and the Last Judgment.
• On the unity, conciliarity and continuity of the doctrine and priesthood in it.
• On the universal resurrection of people and the future life.
• About the two natures of Christ.
• About two wills and actions in Christ.
• On the veneration of icons.

Conclusion

The simplest manifestation of faith is prayer, and even the shortest and the simplest it presupposes a dogmatic content. A deep and cordial trust in the Lord is protected by dogmas, as the wine walls of the cup are protected. And if you think that the cup is not yet wine and its walls - something superfluous, then you can immediately remain without wine.

Perhaps now, in the question of what a dogma is, there will be no difficulty. However, the main thing is to understand what the Lord requires of each person: "let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me." Where "deny yourself" means "give up your sinfulness and your own" I ". A person can achieve this if in the name of Christ he commits to crucify sin in himself and around himself, he will die for sin and death, to come to life for his sinless Savior and enter his Heavenly Kingdom.