Napięcie między subiektywnym a obiektywnym. Rozpoznanie działania Ducha Świętego w tradycji zachodniej i wschodniej

Abstract

Tension between personal experience and community discernment, a prophesy and Church’s teaching, judgement of conscience and trueness of moral doctrine is still alive. Ultimately, it is all about what in the Church is subjective and what is objective. This reconciled opposition is inscribed in the identity of Christianity. Evangelical testimony of disciples going to Jerusalem after encountering Jesus in Emmaus and theirs confrontation with Peter’s experience demonstrates a model of appropriate route: subjective does not transgress objective, personal it is in tone with ecclesiastical. Despite an agreement among Christians in terms of general direction, a diff erence at level of details between particular traditions is noticed. Without depreciating individual and discerned, Catholic Church invariably supports the necessity to acknowledge The Teaching Office of the Church and the power of bishops within diocese. Of course all faithful take part in carrying and development of the legacy, especially through testimony and creative dialogue. Synods, councils and other bodies serve an example. However they do not cover doctrinal and disciplinary issues. Formation, obedience and spiritual guidance are important at personal level. Recognition of bishop’s authority, adherence to the Tradition and cannons and obedience to spiritual guide (the elder) are key elements of Orthodox tradition. Special attention is given to conciliarity (synodality) on various levels of Church. On the other side, for the post-reformation communities the fundamental and practically the only rule is Sola Scriptura. Bible does not give answer to each particular question and does not describe every form of Holy Spirit’s action therefore different conclusions and options arise in various denominations. Undertaking the process of discernment itself, historical Churches follow more codified path of Church’s discernment such as synods, councils, conferences while evangelical communities accept even more individual approach, recommending of course pastoral prudence and consultations with pastor or elders of the congregation. It is especially necessary among Pentecostal Christians accepting the presence of charismatic gifts, to include prophecy.