Difference between revisions of "Condescension"
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*2 : patronizing [[attitude]] or [[behavior]] | *2 : patronizing [[attitude]] or [[behavior]] | ||
==Description== | ==Description== | ||
| − | '''Condescension''' is a show of disdain and superiority in which the condescending [[person]] [[patronizes]], or considers himself superior and "descends" to the level of, the disdained [[person]]. | + | '''Condescension''' is a show of disdain and superiority in which the condescending [[person]] [[patronizes]], or considers himself superior and "descends" to the level of, the disdained [[person]]. |
Condescension also [[functions]] as another [[name]] for accommodation, a [[theological]] principle linked to divine revelation within [[Christianity]]. The principle of Accommodation is that [[God]], while [[being]] in his [[nature]] unknowable and unreachable, has nevertheless [[communicated]] with [[mankind]] in a way in which [[humans]] can [[understand]] and [[respond]]. | Condescension also [[functions]] as another [[name]] for accommodation, a [[theological]] principle linked to divine revelation within [[Christianity]]. The principle of Accommodation is that [[God]], while [[being]] in his [[nature]] unknowable and unreachable, has nevertheless [[communicated]] with [[mankind]] in a way in which [[humans]] can [[understand]] and [[respond]]. | ||
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The [[concept]] of accommodation is relevant to the [[relationship]] between [[scripture]] and [[Natural Sciences|natural science]]: the [[concept]] is that [[scripture]] has accommodated, or made allowance for, the [[original]] [[audience]]'s [[language]], general level of [[understanding]], etc. | The [[concept]] of accommodation is relevant to the [[relationship]] between [[scripture]] and [[Natural Sciences|natural science]]: the [[concept]] is that [[scripture]] has accommodated, or made allowance for, the [[original]] [[audience]]'s [[language]], general level of [[understanding]], etc. | ||
| − | The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/16th_century 16th century | + | The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/16th_century 16th century] Christian Reformist [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Calvin John Calvin] is a key [[developer]] of the accommodation [[concept]], in [[response]] to that century's [[discoveries]] in [[natural science]], foremost [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copernicus Copernicus]' theory of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heliocentrism heliocentrism] that [[conflicted]] with [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_Ages medieval] [[theological]] [[traditions]] of [[reading]] the [[Bible]] "through geocentric spectacles". |
The [[concept]] of accommodation is thus an [[alternative]] [[method]] of biblical [[interpretation]] to the [[tradition]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biblical_literalism biblical] [[Literal|literalism]], which, together with an insistence on [[traditional]] bible [[interpretation]], formed the basis for the Roman Catholic Church's condemnation of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galileo_Galilei Galileo Galilei] in the early [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/17th_century 17th century]. | The [[concept]] of accommodation is thus an [[alternative]] [[method]] of biblical [[interpretation]] to the [[tradition]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biblical_literalism biblical] [[Literal|literalism]], which, together with an insistence on [[traditional]] bible [[interpretation]], formed the basis for the Roman Catholic Church's condemnation of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galileo_Galilei Galileo Galilei] in the early [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/17th_century 17th century]. | ||
| − | Accommodation is not an innovation itself of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reformation Reformation Period], but "has a long [[tradition]] of use within [[Judaism]] and subsequently within [[Christian]] [[theology]], and can easily be shown to have been [[influential]] within the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patristics patristic] period." | + | Accommodation is not an innovation itself of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reformation Reformation Period], but "has a long [[tradition]] of use within [[Judaism]] and subsequently within [[Christian]] [[theology]], and can easily be shown to have been [[influential]] within the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patristics patristic] period." |
It appears almost contradictory that the [[Christian]] [[God]], as revealed in the [[Bible]], is often described in terms of his [[supreme]] [[transcendence]] and the inability of [[limited]], [[finite]] man to [[comprehend]] and [[know]] the God who is unlimited and [[infinite]] - the contradiction being that even this [[knowledge]] can be known by [[mankind]] and recorded in [[scripture]]. | It appears almost contradictory that the [[Christian]] [[God]], as revealed in the [[Bible]], is often described in terms of his [[supreme]] [[transcendence]] and the inability of [[limited]], [[finite]] man to [[comprehend]] and [[know]] the God who is unlimited and [[infinite]] - the contradiction being that even this [[knowledge]] can be known by [[mankind]] and recorded in [[scripture]]. | ||
Although this may appear on the [[surface]] to be illogical, the [[status]] of the Christian God's [[Mystery|unknowability]] is only true insofar as [[God]] [[acts]] not to reveal himself. In this line of [[thinking]], no human being can ever [[hope]] to even [[understand]] or know [[God]] via their own [[powers]] of [[discernment]]. The principle of Accommodation is that [[God]] has chosen to [[reveal]] aspects of himself to [[mankind]] in a way in which mankind is able to [[understand]]. | Although this may appear on the [[surface]] to be illogical, the [[status]] of the Christian God's [[Mystery|unknowability]] is only true insofar as [[God]] [[acts]] not to reveal himself. In this line of [[thinking]], no human being can ever [[hope]] to even [[understand]] or know [[God]] via their own [[powers]] of [[discernment]]. The principle of Accommodation is that [[God]] has chosen to [[reveal]] aspects of himself to [[mankind]] in a way in which mankind is able to [[understand]]. | ||
| + | |||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
*'''''[[Hermeneutics]]''''' | *'''''[[Hermeneutics]]''''' | ||
Revision as of 21:53, 19 June 2011
Etymology
Late Latin condescension-, condescensio, from condescendere
- Date: 1647
Definitions
- 1 : voluntary descent from one's rank or dignity in relations with an inferior
- 2 : patronizing attitude or behavior
Description
Condescension is a show of disdain and superiority in which the condescending person patronizes, or considers himself superior and "descends" to the level of, the disdained person.
Condescension also functions as another name for accommodation, a theological principle linked to divine revelation within Christianity. The principle of Accommodation is that God, while being in his nature unknowable and unreachable, has nevertheless communicated with mankind in a way in which humans can understand and respond.
The concept of accommodation is relevant to the relationship between scripture and natural science: the concept is that scripture has accommodated, or made allowance for, the original audience's language, general level of understanding, etc.
The 16th century Christian Reformist John Calvin is a key developer of the accommodation concept, in response to that century's discoveries in natural science, foremost Copernicus' theory of heliocentrism that conflicted with medieval theological traditions of reading the Bible "through geocentric spectacles".
The concept of accommodation is thus an alternative method of biblical interpretation to the tradition of biblical literalism, which, together with an insistence on traditional bible interpretation, formed the basis for the Roman Catholic Church's condemnation of Galileo Galilei in the early 17th century.
Accommodation is not an innovation itself of the Reformation Period, but "has a long tradition of use within Judaism and subsequently within Christian theology, and can easily be shown to have been influential within the patristic period."
It appears almost contradictory that the Christian God, as revealed in the Bible, is often described in terms of his supreme transcendence and the inability of limited, finite man to comprehend and know the God who is unlimited and infinite - the contradiction being that even this knowledge can be known by mankind and recorded in scripture.
Although this may appear on the surface to be illogical, the status of the Christian God's unknowability is only true insofar as God acts not to reveal himself. In this line of thinking, no human being can ever hope to even understand or know God via their own powers of discernment. The principle of Accommodation is that God has chosen to reveal aspects of himself to mankind in a way in which mankind is able to understand.
See also
References
- McGrath, Alistair. 1998. Historical Theology, An Introduction to the History of Christian Thought. Oxford: Blackwell Publishers. p.208-9.
- McGrath. op.cit. p.207-10.
- McGrath. op.cit. pp. 210-12
- McGrath. op.cit. p. 208.
