Church Quote by Robert Ellsberg
![“Consistently, [Yves] Congar emphasized the distinction between Tradition and traditionalism. The latter was an unyielding commitment to the past. The former was a living principle of commitment to the Beginning, a process that required creativity, inspiration, and a spirit of openness to the…” quote by Robert Ellsberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9ff/robert-ellsberg-53444_church_consistently-yves-congar-emphasized-the_1753730.jpg)
““Consistently, [Yves] Congar emphasized the distinction between Tradition and traditionalism. The latter was an unyielding commitment to the past. The former was a living principle of commitment to the Beginning, a process that required creativity, inspiration, and a spirit of openness to the present as well as respect for the past. Two of Congar's works, on reform in the church and on the theology of the laity, proved especially controversial...Congar believed that reform was a vital and necessary dimension of the church. This was rooted in the distinction between the church and the kingdom of God and in the intermingling in the church of both divine and human elements. In light of the church's constant temptation to revert to institutionalism, it was always necessary to allow room for the prophetic voice, issuing from the margins, even though this might mean attending to uncomfortable truths. ””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Church in the Modern World by Robert Ellsberg, 2014
Congar distinguishes tradition (living commitment to origins) from traditionalism (rigid past adherence), urging creative, open reform in the church.
In simple terms: Tradition is dynamic; traditionalism is static.
Key Takeaway
Embrace reform while honoring roots.
Themes
theology
church reform
tradition
creativity
Mood
reflective
hopeful
Type
theological
inspirational
When to use this quote
- sermons
- council meetings
- educational curricula
- community outreach
Key Concepts
ecclesiology
historicity
innovation
Questions to Reflect On
- How can the church balance respect for history with needed change?
- What role should marginalized voices play in shaping doctrine?
A Different Perspective
Reform can cause division if not handled sensitively.
![“He [Pierre Teilhard de Chardin] was thrilled with the idea that through work in the world human beings were participating in the ongoing extension and consecration of God's creation.” quote by Robert Ellsberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2c1/robert-ellsberg-53444_consecration_he-pierre-teilhard-de-chardin-was-thrill_312293.jpg)
![“The definition of God as infinite Love was a particularly important theme for [John Duns] Scotus. He disagreed with Anselm, who understood the Incarnation as a necessary payment for sin. He also disagreed with Thomas [Aquinas], who argued that the Incarnation, though willed by God from eternity…” quote by Robert Ellsberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b9d/robert-ellsberg-53444_holy-trinity_the-definition-of-god-as-infinite-love-w_3052877.jpg)
![“T]he church is not a place. It's not a building. It's not a preaching point. It's not a spiritual service provider. It's a people - the new covenant, blood-bought people of God. That's why Paul said, 'Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her' (Eph. 5:25). He didn't give himself up for a…” quote by Mark Dever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7a4/mark-dever-3175_blood_t-he-church-is-not-a-place-it-s-not-a-bu_3297.jpg)
