BLOG POST | Hey Deacon!

What is the difference between doctrine and dogma (and discipline)?

The term “doctrine” is generally used to refer to all of the Church’s teachings. In addition, we can say that dogma is a subset of doctrine — all dogmas are doctrines, but not all doctrines are dogmas. A doctrine is a teaching of the universal Church proposed as necessary for belief by the faithful. Dogmas are teachings that are set forth to be believed as divinely revealed. (CCC 88, 891-92)

There is an important difference between doctrine, the teachings that we must believe which are infallible and unchangeable, and the rules that we must obey but which are changeable which we call disciplines.  And then there is one final area of teachings where we are free to believe or not believe without offending against faith called “theological opinions.”

Christ, and the apostles guided by the Holy Spirit, passed on the Church’s doctrines in explicit and/or implicit form (CCC 74-83). We say implicitly because, over time, the Church has come to an increasingly better understanding through the development of doctrine, e.g., regarding the nature of God and the Persons of the Trinity, and also how Christ is both God and man. Collectively, the Church’s doctrines make up the deposit of faith and a Catholic must believe them (CCC. 891-892, 2035-36).

The magisterium (which is the pope and the bishops in union with him) is the guardian of this teaching, not its author and arbiter (CCC 85-87). The magisterium is preserved by the Holy Spirit from formally teaching anything on faith and morals that was not at least implicitly taught by Christ and the apostles (CCC 67). The magisterium cannot formally teach anything that contradicts the truths revealed by Christ.

In addition to teaching authority, Christ gave the apostles authority to govern His Church (Mt 18:16). “Discipline” refers to the exercise of this authority. The Church needs rules to help us achieve perfection, and provide a protective framework within which doctrinal teaching can be lived. Discipline includes Canon Law, priestly celibacy, certain liturgical norms, etc. Disciplinary forms can be changed when the magisterium deems necessary, however, the magisterium cannot change dogma or doctrinal truth which originates from the teachings of Jesus Christ, such as, divorce, (Mt 5: 32) or homosexual activity (Rom 1:18-32 and 1 Tm 1:10).

Finally, there is the category of “theological opinion.”  There are many theological questions which the Church has not definitively answered. Theories or opinions on these questions are legitimate, provided they do not contradict any other doctrinal teaching of the Church. Such opinions must be held with due tentativeness or reserve, ready to submit faithfully to the final judgment of the magisterium.

No formally defined dogma or formally taught doctrine has ever been reversed or contradicted by later teaching. Indeed, truth cannot contradict truth. Doctrines and dogmas never proclaim anything “new” about the faith. Over time, and with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Church comes to an ever-deeper understanding and expression of the same essential truths.




Author Bio:
Deacon Dan Vaughn