Scandal (theology)
Encyclopedia
In an idiom
atic usage in the Hebrew Bible
and the New Testament
, a stumbling block is a behavior or attitude that leads another to sin
.
. The Greek noun skandalon also has an associated verb
skandalizo (formed with the -iz suffix as English "scandalize") meaning literally "to trip somebody up," or idiomatically "cause someone to sin."
The idiom may relate to the state of roads in Ancient Palestine.
Apart from skandalon the idiom of "stumbling block" has a second synonym
in the Greek term proskomma "stumbling." Both words are used together in 1 Peter 2:8 this is a "stone of stumbling" (lithos proskommatos λίθος προσκόμματος) and a "rock of offense" (petra skandalou πέτρα σκανδάλου).
"before the blind."
, 2284–2287.
, even knowing that it will inspire others to sin — as when a student studies diligently to do well, knowing it will cause envy
— is not scandalous. Again, to ask someone to commit perjury
is scandalous, but for a judge to require witnesses to give an oath even when he knows the witness is likely to commit perjury is not scandalous. It does not require that the other person actually commit sin; to be scandalous, it suffices that the act is of a nature to lead someone to sin. Scandal is performed with the intention of inducing someone to sin. Urging someone to commit a sin is therefore active scandal. In the case where the person urging the sin is aware of its nature and the person he is urging is ignorant, the sins committed are the fault of the person who urged them. Scandal is also performed when someone performs an evil act, or an act that appears to be evil, knowing that it will lead others into sin. (In case of an apparently evil act, a sufficient reason for the act despite the faults it will cause negates the scandal.) Scandal may also be incurred when an innocent act may be an occasion of sin
to the weak, but such acts should not be foregone if the goods at stake are of importance.
Idiom
Idiom is an expression, word, or phrase that has a figurative meaning that is comprehended in regard to a common use of that expression that is separate from the literal meaning or definition of the words of which it is made...
atic usage in the Hebrew Bible
Hebrew Bible
The Hebrew Bible is a term used by biblical scholars outside of Judaism to refer to the Tanakh , a canonical collection of Jewish texts, and the common textual antecedent of the several canonical editions of the Christian Old Testament...
and the New Testament
New Testament
The New Testament is the second major division of the Christian biblical canon, the first such division being the much longer Old Testament....
, a stumbling block is a behavior or attitude that leads another to sin
Sin
In religion, sin is the violation or deviation of an eternal divine law or standard. The term sin may also refer to the state of having committed such a violation. Christians believe the moral code of conduct is decreed by God In religion, sin (also called peccancy) is the violation or deviation...
.
Etymology
In the Hebrew Bible the term for stumbling block is mikshowl (מכשול), in the Septuagint skandalon (σκανδαλον). The English term "scandal" derives from this Septuagint Greek term skandalon which in term stands for the Hebrew mikshowl. The Greek term skandalon has little relation with the modern meaning of scandalScandal
A scandal is a widely publicized allegation or set of allegations that damages the reputation of an institution, individual or creed...
. The Greek noun skandalon also has an associated verb
Verb
A verb, from the Latin verbum meaning word, is a word that in syntax conveys an action , or a state of being . In the usual description of English, the basic form, with or without the particle to, is the infinitive...
skandalizo (formed with the -iz suffix as English "scandalize") meaning literally "to trip somebody up," or idiomatically "cause someone to sin."
The idiom may relate to the state of roads in Ancient Palestine.
Apart from skandalon the idiom of "stumbling block" has a second synonym
Synonym
Synonyms are different words with almost identical or similar meanings. Words that are synonyms are said to be synonymous, and the state of being a synonym is called synonymy. The word comes from Ancient Greek syn and onoma . The words car and automobile are synonyms...
in the Greek term proskomma "stumbling." Both words are used together in 1 Peter 2:8 this is a "stone of stumbling" (lithos proskommatos λίθος προσκόμματος) and a "rock of offense" (petra skandalou πέτρα σκανδάλου).
In the Hebrew Bible
The Biblical basis of scandal (from the Latin term) is the prohibition of putting a stumbling block before the blind "stumbling block" is the literal meaning of skandalon in Greek.In rabbinical Judaism
The Leviticus warning is developed in rabbinical Judaism as lifnei iverLifnei iver
The Hebrew phrase "before the blind" is a way of referring to the concept of a stumbling block in rabbinical texts. The origin comes from the Hebrew Bible where Leviticus instructs "Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor put a stumblingblock before the blind , but shalt fear thy God: I am the ...
"before the blind."
New Testament
The New Testament usages, such as Matthew 13:41, resemble Septuagint usage, such as Psalm 140:9 where a stumbling block means anything that leads to sin. A related adjective aposkopos, "without causing anyone to stumble," also occurs 3 times in the New Testament.Catholicism
Active scandal is performed by a person; passive scandal is the reaction of a person to active scandal (scandal given or in Latin scandalum datum), or to acts which, because of the viewer's ignorance, weakness, or malice, are regarded as scandalous (scandal received or in Latin scandalum acceptum). See also the Catechism of the Catholic ChurchCatechism of the Catholic Church
The Catechism of the Catholic Church is the official text of the teachings of the Catholic Church. A provisional, "reference text" was issued by Pope John Paul II on October 11, 1992 — "the thirtieth anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council" — with his apostolic...
, 2284–2287.
Protestantism
The term is common in Protestant writings. An early use was Martin Luther's consideration that the common belief that the Mass is a sacrifice was a "stumbling block."Interpretation
In order to qualify as scandalous, the behavior must, in itself, be evil or give the appearance of evil. To do a good act or an indifferent actIndifferent act
An indifferent act is any action that is neither good nor evil.When acts are considered in general, with respect only to their object, there are acts that can be said to be neither good nor bad, but indifferent...
, even knowing that it will inspire others to sin — as when a student studies diligently to do well, knowing it will cause envy
Envy
Envy is best defined as a resentful emotion that "occurs when a person lacks another's superior quality, achievement, or possession and either desires it or wishes that the other lacked it."...
— is not scandalous. Again, to ask someone to commit perjury
Perjury
Perjury, also known as forswearing, is the willful act of swearing a false oath or affirmation to tell the truth, whether spoken or in writing, concerning matters material to a judicial proceeding. That is, the witness falsely promises to tell the truth about matters which affect the outcome of the...
is scandalous, but for a judge to require witnesses to give an oath even when he knows the witness is likely to commit perjury is not scandalous. It does not require that the other person actually commit sin; to be scandalous, it suffices that the act is of a nature to lead someone to sin. Scandal is performed with the intention of inducing someone to sin. Urging someone to commit a sin is therefore active scandal. In the case where the person urging the sin is aware of its nature and the person he is urging is ignorant, the sins committed are the fault of the person who urged them. Scandal is also performed when someone performs an evil act, or an act that appears to be evil, knowing that it will lead others into sin. (In case of an apparently evil act, a sufficient reason for the act despite the faults it will cause negates the scandal.) Scandal may also be incurred when an innocent act may be an occasion of sin
Occasion of sin
In Roman Catholic teaching, an occasion of sin is an external set of circumstances—whether of things or persons—which either because of their special nature or because of the frailty common to humanity or peculiar to some individual, incite or entice one to sin.There are both proximate...
to the weak, but such acts should not be foregone if the goods at stake are of importance.
External links
- Achille Vander HeerenAchille Vander HeerenAchille Vander Heeren was a Belgian Catholic biblical scholar. He was Professor of Moral Theology and Librarian at the Great Seminary, Bruges...
(1880–), Catholic Encyclopedia article "Scandal" 1912