Berkouwer and Catholicism

Disputed Questions
Erscheinungsjahr 2013
ISBN: 978-90-04-24558-7
Verlag: Brill

Buch, Englisch, Band 24, 508 Seiten, Format (B × H): 163 mm x 241 mm, Gewicht: 975 g

Reihe: Studies in Reformed Theology

Gerrit Cornelis Berkouwer (1903-1996) was a great master of dogmatic and ecumenical theology. He was a Reformed Protestant thinker, with roots in Dutch neo-Calvinism, a holder of the Chair in Dogmatics (1945-1974) at the Free University, Amsterdam, a position previously held by his two illustrious neo-Calvinist predecessors, Abraham Kuyper (1837-1920) and Herman Bavinck (1854-1921). Echeverria provides a much needed in-depth analysis and critique of his theology, particularly his evolving relationship with Catholicism in light of Vatican II. His contention is that Berkouwer’s careful and nuanced examination of Catholic theology—as well as possible responses to his critiques—offers important clues for the contemporary ecumenical project.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Echeverria, Eduardo

Fachgebiete

• Geisteswissenschaften Christentum, Christliche Theologie Christliche Kirchen, Konfessionen, Denominationen Katholizismus, Römisch-Katholische Kirche
• Geisteswissenschaften Christentum, Christliche Theologie Systematische Theologie

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Acknowledgements. ix
Foreword. xi

Introduction. 1

1. The Renewed Church and the Nouvelle Théologie. 20
Ecumenicity
Essential and Accidental Protestantism
Hermeneutical Principle
Ressourcement and Aggiornamento
Revelation and Truth: Different Expressions of the Same Truth
Hierarchy of Truths
Conclusion

2. Revelation, Faith, and the Knowledge of God. 110
Introduction
General Revelation, Natural Theology, and Special Revelation
Unity and Distinctness of God’s Revelation
Berkouwer’s Reformed Objections to Natural Theology
Conclusion

3. On the Dynamics of Faith and Reason: The Differentiated Unity of Nature and Grace. 187
What does General Revelation mean for acquiring a Natural Knowledge of God?
Is Natural Theology implied in an acceptance of General Revelation?
What can man’s reason, if anything, truly know of God after the Fall?
Nature and Grace, Structure and Direction
After Vatican II: Did Berkouwer change his mind about the relation between faith and reason as well as Natural Theology?
Conclusion

4. Scripture and Tradition in Relation to Revelation and to the Church. 273
An Introductory Orientation
Focus of this Chapter and the Next
Before, During and After the second Vatican Council
Implications for the Principle of Sola Scriptura
Conclusion

5. Scripture, Tradition and Theological Authority. 319
Objection I: Reply
Objection II: Reply
Objection III: reply
Objection IV: Reply
Conclusion

6. The Development of Dogma. 394
Berkouwer on Dogmatic Development
What is the Nature of Dogmatic Development?
Truth and Noetic Progress
Truth and the Inadequacy of its Formulations
Faithfulness to the Gospel
What are the Issues at stake in Dogmatic Development?
Theological Epistemology
In what sense is faith a way of knowing divine reality?
Marian Dogma
A Minimalist Reply to Berkouwer’s Objections
Conclusion

Epilogue
The Significance of Berkouwer for the Adventure of Ecumenicity. 472

Bibliography. 489
Index. 503

Über Autor(innen)

Eduardo J. Echeverria, Ph.D. (1981), Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, is Professor of Philosophy and Theology at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, Detroit, USA. He has published, most recently, "In the Beginning." A Theology of the Body (Pickwick Publications, 2011).