Bapteme et identite chretienne : la doctrine catholique du caractere baptismal
Institution:
Université Marc Bloch (Strasbourg) (1971-2008)Disciplines:
Directors:
Abstract EN:
The teaching of the baptismal character results from a slow doctrinal development. But the augustinian image of that character, raised to the rank of a dogmatic definition by the council of trent, does not mean much to us nowadays. It was conveyed down to us through scholastic theology, it is at present being questioned in view of "the discovery of the symbolical order". As the word "character" is thought to be inadequate, it is a poor incentive either to theological research work or to the interest of believers. Nevertheless the doctrine is being examined anew through a recent outlook of the christian identity and proves to be most effective in clarifying the meaning of christian baptism. Thus, starting from traditional themes (sacramental efficiency, church membership, baptismal foundation of oecumenism, necessity for salvation, christian's mission, etc. . . ), it may have contemporary echoes. At least, it allows baptism to be put forward as a piece of luck, that of divine love given forever.
Abstract FR:
L'enseignement du caractere baptismal resulte d'un lent developpement doctrinal. Mais cette image augustinienne du caractere, elevee au rang de definition dogmatique par le concile de trente, n'a plus guere signification aujourd'hui. Vehiculee jusqu'a nous par la scolastique elle est actuellement remise en cause au nom de la "redecouverte de l'ordre symbolique". Juge inadequat, le terme "caractere" ne stimule guere la recherche theologique ni l'interet des croyants. Pourtant, reprise a frais nouveaux, dans la perspective recente de l'identite chretienne, cette doctrine s'avere etre d'une grande richesse pour eclairer la signification du bapteme chretien. C'est ainsi que, a partir de themes traditionnels (efficacite sacramentelle, appartenance a l'eglise, fondement baptismal de l'oecumenisme, necessite pour le salut, mission des chretiens, etc. . . ), elle peut trouver des resonances contemporaines. Aumoins permet-elle de presenter le bapteme comme une chance : celle de l'amour divin toujours offert.