Title: "One teacher" : doctrinal authority in the church /
Authors: Clifford, Catherine E., 1958-; Groupe des Dombes.
Publisher: W.B. Eerdmans Pub. Co.,
Year: 2010
Subjects: Authority Religious aspects Christianity.; Authority Religious aspects Catholic Church.
Abstract: In this book the Groupe des Dombes -- a widely respected yet unofficial dialogue of Reformed, Lutheran, and Catholic scholars from French-speaking Europe -- undertakes a comprehensive study of the complex issue of doctrinal authority in the church. This includes the role of Scripture, of confessional texts, of decision-making bodies, and of individual persons entrusted with authority in service to the unity of faith. / While a number of previous ecumenical dialogues have studied the question of authority with a particular focus on the ministry of the Bishop of Rome, the Groupe des Dombes lays out the complex constellation of questions that is at issue in the differing ethos of Protestant and Catholic traditions. Its challenge to the churches reflects the agenda of ecumenical dialogue for decades to come.
Contents: I. The lessons of history : the early and medieval church. Section I : The age of the church fathers -- The first three centuries ; The great councils in the East and their theology ; Doctrinal authority in the West after Nicaea ; The role of the primate and the patriarchs -- Section II : The Medieval period -- Prior to the Schism between East and West ; The Schism with the East and the Gregorian reform (1049-1128) ; The conciliarist crises -- 2. The Reformation and the modern period. Section I : The Protestant tradition and crisis of authority -- The Reformation and reformers ; The Protestant tradition after the Reformation -- Section II : in the Catholic Church, the new face of the "living" Magisterium -- The Council of Trent ; The reception of the Council ; Resistance to the intensification of Papal authority ; From Trent to Vatican I ; The first Vatican council ; From Vatican I to Vatican II ; The second Vatican Council ; Since Vatican II -- 3. Scripture : a locus for discernment in this historical journey. Section I : the Synoptic Gospels -- The sovereign authority of Jesus ; The handing on of Jesus' authority to the disciples ; The authority of the community and the authority of the Twelve ; The figure of Peter and his role -- Section II : Doctrinal authority in Luke and Acts -- Section III : the Pauline epistles and the Pauline literature -- The first letters of Paul ; The letters to the Colossians and to the Ephesians ; The pastoral letters -- Section IV : The Johannine writings -- Section V : the canon of the New Testament.