Scripture, Tradition, and Sweat

As the Christian Church emerged from its first several hundred years, it had many different traditions in worship and practice.  During the 16th Century especially, most Protestants and many Catholics started questioning how important or authoritative traditions were, especially in relation to the Bible.  Catholics debated this issue during the first of three sessions (1545-47) of the Council of Trent (1545-63), which we studied in class on Monday.

John: And it's almost four o'clock, but does anyone have any questions about the Council of Trent?

Student: About these traditions...

John: ...Yes?

Student: For Anglicans, it is a tradition for bishops to wear these many vestments...
(editorial note: He's not lying.  See all 26 different pages about Anglican vestments (special clothes) on wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Anglican_vestments)

Student: But I think maybe, you see the Anglican Church is coming from England, and they are surrounded by water and it is like a prison and it is cold.  So maybe they need these vestments to keep warm.

John: Ha! Like a prison...tell that to your British professors!


Student: <smirk> But in Sudan, it is very hot, and when a Bishop wears all these vestments, he will be too sweaty.  So what is right?  A bishop should wear vestments because that is what they do in every place, but it is too hot!  Maybe this is a small thing.

John: Actually there was a lot of disagreement in England about vestments....but, what is right?  Well, um, ahh...let me end class right here before I get in trouble with your real Anglican professors.

Fortunately, this turned into a very long and interesting conversation with good points on both sides.  Another tradition discussed was the one about building churches so that people faced East.  Most Episcopal Church of Sudan buildings follow this one, but the local Dinka parish broke it when they bought a movie theater up the street that faces South, which necessitated a vigorous theological defense by one Dinka student who explained that God is present in every direction.

I like my class, and at least this discussion wasn't as confusing as the one about the Immaculate Conception.

- John

Photo courtesy Reuters