A Wake-Up Call to Liberal Theologians

[Athanasiy]

Academic Theology Needs the Church as Much as the Church Needs Theology
By Massimo Faggioli

A Wake-Up Call to Liberal Theologians | Commonweal Magazine

 

[commenter]

In reading the article, it is not clear if the author has any particular commitment to the Catholic Faith (let’s assume he does, but it is not obvious here), or to whether Theology has any interest in influencing the faith or eternal salvation of persons. In some articles by theologians that does get expressed, not in this one.

It is common for historic church buildings to attract the interest and support of historians and heritage people, even those who have expressed personal agnosticism. They may not believe in the original purpose of those stained glass windows - to bring souls to Christ - but believe in stained glass, and want the Church to continue its commitment to historically significant stained glass.

There is no hint the author thinks theologians need the Church, as a channel of grace from God. Rather the author seems to be committed to the Theology Industry as an entity in itself. He says the Church (at this point in time) is needed for social reasons. It provides credibility, or focus - a rallying point, a meeting ground, to help attract to Theology, liberals drifting off into politics, and conservatives drifting off into nostalgia. Otherwise theologians will be out of work.

 

[PJH_74]

Explaining the intricacies of Transubstantiation is not going to bring anyone in the door. We first need to give people a reason to be Christian. The church world is too used to being a default cultural institution and churches need to do more evangelizing, something Catholic and Main line Protestant churches are having difficulty with.

 

[commenter]

Explaining the intricacies of Transubstantiation is not going to bring anyone in the door. We first need to give people a reason to be Christian. The church world is too used to being a default cultural institution and churches need to do more evangelizing, something Catholic and Main line Protestant churches are having difficulty with.

Those Catholic religious orders that are committed to doctrinal orthodoxy are the only ones growing at present. Besides recruiting new members, they, and other orthodox, pro-doctrine Catholic movements, seem to be the only ones facilitating many converts to Catholicism.

Liberal religious orders and liberal lay movements, to my knowledge, seem to have very little success in encouraging converts. I am not hearing about people coming to the Catholic Church in order to facilitate inquiry free from dogmas, the concerns of the National Catholic Reporter, or more Lay Empowerment.

Attention to Dogmas = sometimes conversion

Freedom from Dogmas = never conversion

Dogma alone never evangelizes, it take that, and more. But evangelism without dogma fails, no matter what else they add to it.