Section: 2A - Ceremonies.
Number of quotes: 41
Arnobius, ANF Vol. 6, Fathers of the Third Century
Edited by Alexander Roberts
Book ID: 659 Page: 461
Section: 2A
But our rites are {3} new; yours are ancient and of excessive antiquity, we are told.
PJ footnote reference: Arnobius, Against the Heathen, II.71.
Quote ID: 9467
Time Periods: 34
Arnobius, ANF Vol. 6, Fathers of the Third Century
Edited by Alexander Roberts
Book ID: 659 Page: 461
Section: 2A
“Our rites are new; yours are ancient, we are told. The credibility of a religion must not be determined by its age, but by its divinity. Your religion, you say, is truer because it is supported by the authority of antiquity. Does the Almighty seem to you to be something new, and do those who worship Him seem to you to introduce an unheard-of, unknown, and upstart religion? Is there anything older than Him?”PJ footnote reference: Arnobius, Against the Heathen, II.71–72.
Quote ID: 9468
Time Periods: 34
Augustine, NPNF1 Vol. 1, The Confessions and Letters of St. Augustine
Edited by Philip Schaff
Book ID: 652 Page: 407
Section: 2A
But the possibility of regeneration through the office rendered by the will of another, when the child is presented to receive the sacred rite, is the work exclusively of the Spirit by whom the child thus presented is regenerated. For it is not written, “Except a man be born again by the will of his parents, or by the faith of those presenting the child, or of those administering the ordinance, but, “Except a man be born again of water and of the Spirit.” By the water, therefore, which holds forth the sacrament grace in its outward form, and by the Spirit who bestows the benefit of grace in its inward power, cancelling the bond of guilt, and restoring natural goodness, the man deriving his first birth originally from Adam alone, is regenerated in Christ alone.PJ book footnote reference: Augustine, Letter XCVIII.2.
Quote ID: 9424
Time Periods: ?
Augustine, NPNF1 Vol. 5, St. Augustine: Anti-Pelagian Writings
Edited by Philip Schaff
Book ID: 655 Page: 319
Section: 2A
Moreover, from the time when He said, “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven;” and again, “He that loseth his life for my sake shall find it;” no one becomes a member of Christ except it be either by baptism in Christ or death for Christ.PJ book footnote reference: Augustine, A Treatise on the Soul and Its Origin, I.10.
Quote ID: 9442
Time Periods: ?
Barbarians Speak, The
Peter S. Wells
Book ID: 198 Page: 163
Section: 2A
All human societies use ritual practices to create and communicate essential meanings about relationships between people and between people and the supernatural. Analysis of ritual provides insight into the values and attitudes of a community. There is strong evidence throughout the Roman frontier provinces for the continuation of traditional practices of ritual activity throughout the Roman Period.
Quote ID: 4480
Time Periods: 014
Basilica
R.A. Scotti
Book ID: 39 Page: 246
Section: 1A,2A
Religion is illusion. No institution understands that more profoundly than the Church of Rome. More than tenets and ethics, religion is mystery and magic, the ultimate conjuring act, body and blood from bread and wine. And the gleam of gold, the clouds of incense, the remote elevated person of the pope, the sacred art and evocative music, create that illusion.
Quote ID: 849
Time Periods: 47
Christian Symbol and Ritual
Bernard Cooke
Book ID: 56 Page: 21
Section: 1A,2A
Rituals not only celebrate the deepest values of a culture, they also create, maintain, and legitimize that culture. Part of the process of legitimization necessarily entails the negotiation of power within a society, so that important rituals and symbols in every society are essential for maintaining the power structures of that society.
Quote ID: 1246
Time Periods: 7
Christian Symbol and Ritual
Bernard Cooke
Book ID: 56 Page: 21/22
Section: 1A,2A
Rituals and symbols constantly create and re-create power structures within a society by continuously negotiating the legitimizing of power within the group or society. On the one hand, leaders of the rituals certainly lead because they have power, and the rituals constantly remind others of their power. On the other hand, participants in rituals by their continued participation grant that power to the leaders. If and when participants no longer participate in the ritual or acquiesce to the leadership in the ritual, then the leadership simply ceases being leaders.. . . .
Christian rituals are no exception to this dynamic.
Quote ID: 1247
Time Periods: 7
Christianity & Paganism in the Fourth to Eighth Centuries
Ramsay MacMullen
Book ID: 57 Page: 109
Section: 2A
Here as throughout this chapter my aim is to describe the flow of practice andbelief from the old faith into the new. With that end in view, I sketched various practices in paganism, above, for comparison at this point; and they are indeed evident in Christianity.
Quote ID: 1312
Time Periods: 45
Christianizing the Roman Empire
Ramsay MacMullen
Book ID: 58 Page: 75
Section: 1A,2A
In other words, ritual gives authority to belief; and Christianity must not be seen to need anything of the sort from the pagan past.
Quote ID: 1469
Time Periods: 7
Cicero, The Laws, LCL 213: Cicero: On the Republic; On the Laws, Vol. 16, Book 2.viii.19 and xi.25
Translated by Clinton Walker Keyes
Book ID: 583 Page: 393
Section: 2A
“No one shall have gods to himself, either new gods or alien gods, unless recognized by the State. Privately, they shall worship those gods whose worship they have duly received from their ancestors.”
Quote ID: 9311
Time Periods: 0
Cicero, The Laws, LCL 213: Cicero: On the Republic; On the Laws, Vol. 16, Book 2.viii.19 and xi.25
Translated by Clinton Walker Keyes
Book ID: 583 Page: 401
Section: 2A
“The worship of private gods, whether new or alien, brings confusion into religion and introduces ceremonies unknown to our priests.”“It is assuredly true that that is to be considered most ancient and nearest to God which is the best.” – Cicero, The Laws, II.xvi.40.
Quote ID: 9312
Time Periods: 0
Cicero: On the Republic by Niall Rudd
Translated by Niall Rudd
Book ID: 62 Page: 128
Section: 2A
No one shall have gods of his own, whether new or foreign, unless they have been officially brought in. In private, they shall worship those gods whose worship has been handed down in its proper form by their forefathers.
Quote ID: 1554
Time Periods: 0
Cicero: On the Republic by Niall Rudd
Translated by Niall Rudd
Book ID: 62 Page: 132
Section: 2A
That an individual’s ‘own gods, whether new or foreign’{*} should be worshipped causes confusion among religions and introduces rites which are unfamiliar to our priests.
Quote ID: 1558
Time Periods: 0
Continuity and Change in Roman Religion
J. H. W. G. Liebeschuetz
Book ID: 313 Page: 4
Section: 2A
the Greek historian Polybius writing in the middle of the second century B.C. found it necessary to propound an explanation of the extraordinary amount of religious observance that was going on at Rome. "The quality in which the Roman commonwealth is most distinctly superior is, in my opinion, the nature of their religious convictions. I believe that it is the very thing which among other peoples is an object of reproach, I mean superstition, which maintains the cohesion of the Roman state. My opinion is that they have adopted this course for the sake of the common people.". . . .
{1} …the meticulous attention to religious ritual which Polybius observed among members of the Roman ruling class was something that had no parallel among comparable circles in Greece.{2} It was also so ‘unreligious’ that Polybius could explain such behavior only as political trickery.
{1} Pol. vi. 56. 6-11. Ibid. 12, which stresses the social value of beliefs about the underworld seems to be a generalization without specific reference to Rome.
Quote ID: 7606
Time Periods: 0
Continuity and Change in Roman Religion
J. H. W. G. Liebeschuetz
Book ID: 313 Page: 304
Section: 2A
…the calamities that broke over the western empire in the first decade of the fifth century did not discredit the new public religion.{3} On the contrary, the Romans of Rome united around their Church.{4} As the military situation steadily worsened, new church buildings{5} added their testimony to that of Constantinian structures, proclaiming – as in the time of Polybius or of Cicero – that no people surpassed the Romans in religious observance.
Quote ID: 7638
Time Periods: 5
Conversion
A.D. Nock
Book ID: 70 Page: 192/193
Section: 2A,4B
The world as a whole did not know much of Christians as distinct from Jews till the fire of Rome in 64, when Nero seized on them as scapegoats to satisfy popular resentment and made the admission of Christianity proof of guilt. Thereafter they were in the public mind, rather than in the public eye, as the object of the general odium directed against the Jews for being an anti-social and highly cohesive body, and of the special odium incurred by their reputation as incendiaries, revolutionaries, and generally abominable. But they were not conspicuous. The works directed against Christianity do not allude to out-of door-preaching.There were no visible out-of-door ceremonials, no temples recognizable as such till much later, and no priesthood displaying its character by its dress or its tonsure, or (in the early stages) its abstinence from secular employments....the one Christian type known to the populace was that of the martyr.
Quote ID: 1976
Time Periods: 123
Conversion
A.D. Nock
Book ID: 70 Page: 203
Section: 2A
A fixed form of words, followed as in Roman prayers through fear that the supernatural powers invoked would not give what was desired if one syllable or gesture was varied.
Quote ID: 1980
Time Periods: 012
Didache: The Oldest Church Manual
Phillip Schaff
Book ID: 254 Page: 184/185/186/187
Section: 2A
CHAP. VII.
BAPTISM
1. Now concerning baptism, baptize thus: Having first taught all these things, baptize ye into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, in living water.
2. And if thou has not living water, baptize into other water; and if thou canst not in cold, then in warm (water).
3. But if thou has neither, pour [water] thrice upon the head in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
4. But before Baptism let the baptizer and the baptized fast, and any others who can; but thou shalt command the baptized to fast for one or two days before.
Quote ID: 8780
Time Periods: ?
Didache: The Oldest Church Manual
Phillip Schaff
Book ID: 254 Page: 187/188/189
Section: 2A
CHAP. VIII.
PRAYER AND FASTING
1. Let not your fasts be with the hypocrites, for they fast on the second and fifth day of the week; but ye shall fast on the fourth day, and the preparation day (Friday).
2. Neither pray ye as the hypocrites,{a} but as the Lord commanded in His Gospel, so pray ye…
3. Pray thus thrice a day.
Quote ID: 8781
Time Periods: ?
Didache: The Oldest Church Manual
Phillip Schaff
Book ID: 254 Page: 190/191/192/193/194
Section: 2A
CHAP. IX.
THE AGAPE AND THE EUCHARIST
1. Now as regards the Eucharist (the Thank-offering), give thanks after this manner:
2. First for the cup: “We give thanks to Thee, our Father, for the holy vine of David Thy servant, which thou hast made known to us, through Jesus, Thy servant: to Thee be the glory for ever.”
3. And for the broken bread: “We give thanks to Thee, our Father, for the life and knowledge which Thou hast made known to us through Jesus, Thy servant: to Thee be the glory forever.”
4. (not used)
5. But let no one eat or drink of your Eucharist, except those baptized into the name of the Lord; far as regards this also the Lord has said: “Give not that which is holy to the dogs.”{a}
Quote ID: 8782
Time Periods: ?
Didache: The Oldest Church Manual
Phillip Schaff
Book ID: 254 Page: 199/200/201
Section: 2A
CHAP. XI
APOSTLES AND PROPHETS
4. Let every Apostle that cometh to you be received as the Lord.{a}
5. But he shall not remain [longer than] one day; and, if need be, another [day] also; but if he remain three [days] he is a false prophet.
6. And when the Apostle departeth, let him take nothing except bread [enough]till he reach his lodging (night-quarters). But if he ask for money, he is a false prophet.
7. And every prophet who speaks in the spirit ye shall not try nor prove; for every sin shall be forgiven, but this sin shall not be forgiven.
9. And no prophet that orders a table in the spirit eats of it [himself], unless he is a false prophet.
Quote ID: 8784
Time Periods: ?
Eusebius, NPNF2 Vol. 1, Eusebius Pamphilius: Church History, Life of Constantine, Oration in Praise of Constantine
Edited by Philip Schaff
Book ID: 668 Page: 524
Section: 2A
At this meeting the question concerning the most holy day of Easter was discussed, and it was resolved by the united judgment of all present, that this feast ought to be kept by all and in every place on one and the same day…. And first of all, it appeared an unworthy thing that in the celebration of this most holy feast we should follow the practice of the Jews, who have impiously defiled their hands with enormous sin, and are, therefore, deservedly afflicted with blindness of soul…. Beloved brethren, let us with one consent adopt this course, and withdraw ourselves from all participation in their baseness.Pastor John’s footnote reference: Eusebius, The Life of Constantine the Great, III.xviii.
Quote ID: 9589
Time Periods: 4
God’s Secretaries: - The Making of the King James Bible
Adam Nicolson
Book ID: 99 Page: 37
Section: 2A
The church had always used ritual and ceremony to approach the divine. It was the conduit through which grace could reach the believer. Only big-headed modern ‘novelist’ could assume that, without any guidance from the wisdom of the church fathers, ordinary people could approach God direct, as no one had done since the Apostles. Mystery for Andrews required ceremony and a respect for the inherited past.
Quote ID: 2521
Time Periods: 7
God’s Secretaries: - The Making of the King James Bible
Adam Nicolson
Book ID: 99 Page: 90
Section: 2A
For churchmen such as Andrewes, it seemed that the true church could only be inclusive, one in which God’s grace would descend on believers not through some brutal predestinarian edict but through the sacraments, through the ceremony of the church.
Quote ID: 2528
Time Periods: 7
Natural Symbols
Mary Douglas
Book ID: 157 Page: 1
Section: 2A
One of the gravest problems of our day is the lack of commitment to common symbols.. . . .
Ritual has become a bad word signifying empty conformity. We are witnessing a revolt against formalism, even against form.
Pastor John’s note: book published in 2007
Quote ID: 3322
Time Periods: 7
Origen: Contra Celsum
Henry Chadwick
Book ID: 164 Page: 291
Section: 2A
These customs have in fact existed, and Pindar seems to me to have been right when he said that custom is king of all.
Quote ID: 3446
Time Periods: 0
Perth Assembly
David Calderwood Edited by Greg Fox
Book ID: 177 Page: 35
Section: 2A
…the Popes five bastard Sacraments, whereof Confirmation is one, with all rites, ceremonies, and false doctrines added to the true Sacraments without the word of God….
Quote ID: 9072
Time Periods: 7
Perth Assembly
David Calderwood Edited by Greg Fox
Book ID: 177 Page: 95
Section: 2A
Seeing the times under the Gospel are not so ceremonious, as the times under the law.
Quote ID: 9073
Time Periods: 7
Perth Assembly
David Calderwood Edited by Greg Fox
Book ID: 177 Page: 97
Section: 2A
We have to consider for a general answer to all instances alleged from the Jewish Kirk, first that they had extraordinary directions which we want.
Quote ID: 9074
Time Periods: 7
Perth Assembly
David Calderwood Edited by Greg Fox
Book ID: 177 Page: 98
Section: 2A
The observation of anniversary days pertained to the ceremonial law: but so it is that the ceremonial law is abolished. The anniversary days were distinguished from the moral Sabbath.
Quote ID: 9075
Time Periods: 7
Perth Assembly
David Calderwood Edited by Greg Fox
Book ID: 177 Page: 100
Section: 2A
The prerogative belonging to God in the Old Testament, was transferred to Christ, God and Man, the law-giver in the New Testament, one that was faithful in all the house of God. But so it is, that Christ neither by his own Commandment, nor by direction of his Spirit inspiring the Apostles, instituted any other day but the Lord’s Day.
Quote ID: 9076
Time Periods: 7
Perth Assembly
David Calderwood Edited by Greg Fox
Book ID: 177 Page: 116
Section: 1A,2A
Of the ancient Kirks I have spoken before. Some excuse the Ancients with good intention, because to win the Gentiles they converted their days into Christian holy days.
Quote ID: 9077
Time Periods: 2347
Perth Assembly
David Calderwood Edited by Greg Fox
Book ID: 177 Page: 116
Section: 2A
As for the reformed Kirks, except our neighbor Kirk, they have abandoned days dedicate to Saints. Some admit days dedicate to Christ, some two, some five….
Quote ID: 9079
Time Periods: 7
Perth Assembly
David Calderwood Edited by Greg Fox
Book ID: 177 Page: 123/124
Section: 1A,2A
The grace received in confirmation, is called strength, and defense against all temptations to sin, and the assaults of the world and the devil. In baptism the grace received is for the forgiveness of sins. Do not the papists distinguish after the same manner betwixt baptism and confirmation that the Holy Ghost is given in baptism, to remission of sins, life and Sanctification and in confirmation for force, strength, and corroboration to fight against all our spiritual enemies, and to stand constantly in confession of our faith even to death, in times of persecution, either of the heathen or of heretics, with great increase{2} of grace. Hooker saith,{3} that in baptism infants are admitted to live in God’s family, but in confirmation they are enabled to fight in the army of God, and bring forth the fruits of the Holy Ghost. Doctor Hackwell{1} saith that as in baptism they believe remission of sins unto justification, so in confirmation, they are emboldened to make open profession of this belief unto salvation.
Quote ID: 9080
Time Periods: 7
Perth Assembly
David Calderwood Edited by Greg Fox
Book ID: 177 Page: 125
Section: 2A
Is not the Lord’s Supper the true Sacrament of confirmation of our faith, as well as confirmation of Charity?
Quote ID: 9081
Time Periods: 7
Perth Assembly
David Calderwood Edited by Greg Fox
Book ID: 177 Page: 134
Section: 2A
The Sacraments were appointed, not only to be signs and seals of invisible graces, but also to be testimonies before the world of our piety and thankfulness towards God, and badges of our profession, distinguishing true Kirks from false. All Sacraments are certain kinds of protestations of our faith saith Aquinas.{2} They ought therefore to be conspicuous and public.
Quote ID: 9082
Time Periods: 7
Perth Assembly
David Calderwood Edited by Greg Fox
Book ID: 177 Page: 135
Section: 2A
Christ’s promise to be in the midst of two or three convened in his name, cannot be extended to the administration of the Sacraments….
Quote ID: 9083
Time Periods: 7
Power and Persuasion in Late Antiquity: Towards a Christian Empire
Peter Brown
Book ID: 183 Page: 56
Section: 2A
One development in the public life of the later empire actively encouraged such appeals to decorum. It was an age of ceremony.. . . .
The huge ceremoniousness of late Roman life proved a two-edged weapon in the hands of those who wielded power. Ceremonious behavior was not only imposed from the imperial court down, but it also depended for its effectiveness on appealing to precisely the ideals of harmony and self-control associated with paideia. As a result, ceremony did not simply exalt the powerful; it controlled them, by ritualizing their responses and by bridling their raw nature through measured gestures. By so doing, ceremony insensibly worked the ideals of paideia into the texture of government. Only power wielded in a self-controlled and dignified manner carried full authority.
Quote ID: 4036
Time Periods: 456
Rise of Western Christendom, The
Peter Brown
Book ID: 265 Page: 84
Section: 2A,3A4B
They were Christians, but they had not ceased to be aristocrats. They still needed to celebrate their power. To do this they drew upon ceremonies, art-forms, and literary styles which reached back into the non-Christian past.
Quote ID: 6705
Time Periods: 45
Romans and Their Gods in the Age of Augustus, The
R. M. Ogilvie
Book ID: 390 Page: 2
Section: 2A
But there was no dogma in Roman religion, no Thirty-Nine Articles or Westminster Confession to which a believer had to subscribe. A Roman was free to think what he liked about the gods; what mattered was what religious action he performed. For a Roman, there was no contradiction when Julius Caesar, as pontifex maximus, head of the Roman state religion, and so responsible for several official festivals concerned with the dead, publicly expressed his opinion that ‘death was the end of everything human and that there was no place for joy or sorrow hereafter’(Sallust, Catiline 51).
Quote ID: 8358
Time Periods: 012
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