Latria
Latria or latreia (also known as latreutical worship) is a theological term (
Eucharist
Latria also applies to the
"The only-begotten Son of God is to be adored in the Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist with the worship of "latria", including external worship.
Pope
Vs. dulia and hyperdulia
Latria is sacrificial in character, and may be offered only to God. Catholic and Orthodox Christians offer other degrees of reverence to the
This distinction, written about as early as
Protestant critique of dulia
New Testament scholar James Dunn discusses the tradition of Catholic dulia in Augustine and Aquinas, mentioning that the new testament's use of δουλεία (pronounced dulia) is always used negatively. He states:
"douleia occurs only in the sense of 'slavery, servility', and always in a negative sense – the slavery to physical corruption (Rom. 8.21), slavery to the law (Gal. 5.1), slavery to the fear of death (Heb. 2.15)."[8]
Bill Mounce overviews New Testament use of δουλεία with the following chart:[9]
Romans 8:15 | For you did not receive the spirit of slavery (douleias | δουλείας | gen sg fem) leading back to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption. By him we cry out, "Abba! Father!" |
Romans 8:21 | that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage (douleias | δουλείας | gen sg fem) to decay into the glorious freedom of the children of God. |
Galatians 4:24 | This may be interpreted allegorically, for these women represent two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children to be slaves (douleian | δουλείαν | acc sg fem); she is Hagar. |
Galatians 5:1 | For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery (douleias | δουλείας | gen sg fem). |
Hebrews 2:15 | and liberate those who throughout life were held in (douleias | δουλείας | gen sg fem) slavery (douleias | δουλείας | gen sg fem) by their fear of death. |
Linguistic distinctions in English
The word worship is derived from the
"This worship called forth by God, and given exclusively to Him as God, is designated by the Greek name latreia (Latinized, latria), for which the best translation that our language affords is the word Adoration. Adoration is different from other acts of worship, such as supplication, confession of sin, etc., inasmuch as it formally consists in self-abasement before the Infinite, and in devout recognition of His transcendent excellence."[11]
Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Christians especially adore with latria during their religious service, the
We also present ourselves as sacrifice in union with Christ (Romans 12:1; 1 Peter 2:5) to be used by God in the work of redemption, reconciliation, and justice. In the Great Thanksgiving, the church prays: "We offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ's offering for us ..." (UMH; page 10).[13]
A formal statement by the USCCB affirms that "Methodists and Catholics agree that the sacrificial language of the Eucharistic celebration refers to 'the sacrifice of Christ once-for-all,' to 'our pleading of that sacrifice here and now,' to 'our offering of the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving,' and to 'our sacrifice of ourselves in union with Christ who offered himself to the Father.'"[14]
See also
References
- ISBN 0-8091-4047-0page 145
- ISBN 978-0-300-25217-0.
- ^ ISBN 0-9648448-9-3pages 4-10
- ^ "Mysterium Fidei, item 56". Vatican website.
- ^ Miravalle, Mark (November 24, 2006). "What Is Devotion to Mary?". Mother of all peoples. Archived from the original on June 6, 2018. Retrieved November 2, 2013.
- s.v.dulia, Cross, F.L.; Livingstone, E.A., eds. (1997). The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church, Third Edition. Oxford University Press. p. 513.
- ^ "II II, 84, 1". New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia. Archived from the original on 2004-04-16. Retrieved 2004-05-02.
- ^ Dunn, James D. G. 2010. Did the First Christians Worship Jesus? : the New Testament Evidence London: SPCK., see page 19
- ^ https://www.billmounce.com/greek-dictionary/douleia-0
- ^ Harper, Douglas. "worship". Online Etymology Dictionary.
- ^ "Adoration". New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia.
- ^ "CCC § 1085". Vatican Website.
- ^ a b This Holy Mystery, Study Guide: A United Methodist Understanding of Holy Communion. The General Board of Discipleship of The United Methodist Church. 2004. p. 9.
- ^ Methodist-Catholic Dialogues. United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and The General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns of The United Methodist Church. 2001. p. 20.
External links
- City of God, Chapter X St. Augustine (A.D. 354-430) on latria