The Meaning of Dogma

What is a dogma?

To understand what a dogma is, let’s look at what it is not. Dogmas aren’t artificial rules the Church decided you have to follow. Rather, dogmas are clarifying statements about something that is in itself true. So, dogmas are truths of the faith. They are binding, infallible, and irrefutable when confirmed and solemnly proclaimed by the ecclesiastical authority: The Pope.

The Catholic Church has its own theological discipline for interpreting Christian beliefs. We call it “dogmatic theology” or “dogmatics”. According to Thomas Aquinas, theology is science because it starts from unchanging fundamental truths of divine revelation and summarizes them systematically and coherently.

The Church as the steward of the “Word of God”

Christ regarded himself as the fulfillment of the Old Testament law and the absolute teacher: “Only one is your teacher, Christ.” (Mt 23:10). The apostles are tasked with faithfully passing on the treasure of faith Christ entrusted to them. This is not only a matter of handing down the faith: The Church needed to preserve the faith unadulterated and without watering it down. Nothing new or different can be added to the revelation of Christ.

But, in the last 2000 years, the world has moved on, some may say. If Jesus were alive today, he would have said this and that differently … The Church disagrees. Jesus Christ is the Word of God to humankind. This Word has eternal value. God’s word is unchangeable. And yet this Word of God, once spoken, must be translated into different times, places, and cultures so people understand it clearly and without ambiguity.

Dogmas serve to clarify what previously caused controversy. This is precisely the task of the Magisterium. To dive deeper with the help of the Holy Spirit to make the truth understandable and accessible to the faithful and to prevent or eliminate misunderstandings.

Historical significance of the councils

Even in early Christianity, there were meetings where the Church formulated doctrines of faith as compulsory. Today, the church calls these meetings councils. One such council of apostles and elders convened around the year 48/49 AD. There, they discussed the issue of circumcision and the observance of Jewish law by non-Jewish Christians. (Cf. Acts 15, 1-29) This meeting is called the “Apostles’ Council” or the Jerusalem Council.

The councils aimed to clarify central questions of faith and combat heresies. They led to the formulation of creeds and dogmatic definitions that were vital in the evolution of Christian theology. In 325, for example, church elders convened in Nicaea to resolve the Arian controversy and define the divinity of Christ as a dogma. The result was the Nicene Creed, which we still pray today.

In 431, the Council of Ephesus confirmed the designation of Mary as “Theotokos”; the “God-bearer”, “Mother of God” or, literally, “the one who gave birth to God”.

The first seven councils are considered ecumenical because they are recognized by the entire Christian church. The Catholic Church today recognizes 21 ecumenical councils whose decisions are binding for the faithful. If such a truth is publicly disputed or distorted, the Church is called upon to make it shine again.

How a dogma is created

The proclamation of dogma is preceded by a systematic process of religious conception, research, and understanding. Dogmas are principles of faith based on centuries of theological reflection on Holy Scripture and tradition. The doctrines in question are often debated at bishops’ conferences or synods. These gatherings of bishops and ecclesiastical authorities serve to collect opinions and insights of various parts of the Church.

The pope convokes an ecumenical council to discuss the proposed doctrines in depth. Bishops from all over the world are represented at these meetings. A vote is held among the bishops and theologians present. As soon as a consensus is reached, the doctrine is officially formulated as dogma by higher church authorities, such as the Pope or an ecumenical council. This proclamation is often made through a solemn declaration known as “ex-cathedra”; “from the chair” of the Pope. He declares the dogma to be an infallible truth of faith, binding for all members of the Church.

The church can shape lives. Provided it remains true to itself.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church describes dogmas as lights on our path of faith. They illuminate and secure it. (Cf. CCC 89) They contribute to the unity of the Church and create a stable foundation for the spiritual lives and religious practices of the faithful.

A church that hides its truths of faith instead of keeping them alive in conversation becomes unrecognizable. Author Georges Bernanos described what happens when you can no longer grasp your faith in his Diary of a Country Priest in 1936: “I have not lost my faith. The expression ‘losing faith’, as if losing your wallet or a bunch of keys, has always seemed a bit silly to me … You don’t lose your faith, instead, it ceases to shape your life. That’s all.”

But what do you think about dogmas? Why do you think it’s right the church defines certain beliefs as infallible and unchangeable?

Feel free to write to us if you have any questions!