Satisfaction theory (from Latin Satisfactio ) is a complex theory in Christian theology , embracing a whole group of dogmatic issues [1] .
In contrast to Orthodox doctrine, in Roman Catholicism the main postulate of the theory of satisfaction, from which all its particular points are developed, is that, regardless of the assimilation of the grace of atonement, any arbitrary sin should be avenged to the person on him, to the extent that he is guilty before God . According to the Catholic doctrine, God cannot be reconciled with man for the sake of Christ's atonement alone. He takes revenge on people for their arbitrary sins , punishes them. For the sake of the Calvary sacrifice, a person is freed from eternal punishment . But even with the remission of sin, a certain debt remains on him, for the full repayment of which he must bring his own ransom to God, endure a certain measure of temporary punishment. This ransom must necessarily be proportional to the measure of sins and is called satisfaction , or satisfaction. From this point of view, Catholic theory primarily explains the fact of earthly sorrows. [one]
According to the Orthodox belief, the ultimate goal of earthly sorrows is to educate a person, curb his will, suppress sin, and rectify. The Lord punishes people, driven not by anger, but blissfully , not by vengeance, but by love . [one]
The first seeds of ideas that found a place in the Roman Catholic theory of satisfaction are found among the Alexandrian theologians ( Clement of Alexandria , Origen ) and Gregory of Nyssa , and their more complete development is found in Tertullian , Kiprian of Carthage , Ambrosius of Mediolansky , Blessed Augustine and Gregory Dvoeslov . In its present form, the theory of satisfaction has been established in the dogma of the Catholic Church since the time of the Council of Trent (1545). [one]
Content
Due punishment to the best of sin
The term “satisfaction” (satisfaction) with God on the part of man in Roman Catholicism is understood to mean the actual component of the sacrament of repentance , standing next to three others [1] :
- regret for sins);
- confessio (oral confession of sins);
- absolutio (permission to repent of sins).
According to the views of Catholics, the essential meaning of earthly sorrows consists in retribution, in punishment . If earthly sorrows are lower than the measure of sins, then people will be punished even outside the grave , in a purgatory, or purgatory . Contrary to the ancient church canonical decrees, according to which penance is the meaning of healing, correction, Catholicism sees in the confessional punitive tribunal, from which no one can leave with the complete remission of sins; the confessor should take care not so much of the correction of the penitents , as of the repentance to bear due punishment to the extent of sin. The most terrible application of these ideas found in the Inquisition . [one]
Self-punishment and mercantile legal transaction
The provision, by virtue of which due satisfaction must be brought to God for any sin or a commensurate punishment, is imparted a peculiar character to the doctrine of good deeds, considered not only as satisfaction, but also as self-punishment . The Christian must punish himself with various hardships and deeds in order to satisfy the anger of the formidable God. Forcing us to look at virtue as a self-punishment, the theory of satisfaction reduces it thereby: virtue ceases to be a free feat, an expression of that thirst for good that is inherent in the heart, warmed by love for God. Christian exploits take on the character of slave labor, to which a person turns forcibly, under the influence of fear . Hence the gloomy character of medieval morality, which often turned into savagery and self-torture. [one]
On the other hand, the feats of piety in the Catholic theory take on the character of a mercantile legal transaction peculiar only to a slave, who at first trembles before his master, and then is ready to start a lawsuit with him. Since the measure of temporary punishments is determined by the degree of sinfulness , the deeds of piety must be quantitatively related to sinful acts. Thus the idea arose of super-merit , the treasury of which is at the disposal of the pope and significantly increases his power. Under the system of indulgences, the deficit of merit is usually covered by the excesses of satisfaction delivered by the saints , but no one has the right to distribute this excess among believers except the pope. [one]
See also
- Indulgence | Penance | Super Merits
- Karma
Notes
- ↑ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Satisfaction // Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary : 86 volumes (82 volumes and 4 additional). - SPb. , 1890-1907.