Dogmat w historii

Abstract

The article “Dogma from historical perspective” aims to present the complex and relational nature of the concept of dogma. The history of this Greek concept of δογμα, given in the first part of the article, demonstrates that the understanding of dogma has developed and deepened from patristic to modern times. Ultimately, the meaning of dogma in a broader and narrower sense is revealed by referring to Revelation, to Sacred Scripture and living Tradition, to the Church’s faith and salvific truth as well as to the phenomenon of human language. The reflection on the historicity of dogma in the second part of this article shows that not only does historicity not exclude dogmatic development, but it even assumes this development. Furthermore, the significance of dogma stems from the living Word of God, to which dogma is a witness and a transmitter.