Summarizing the Salient Points of: International Theological Commission's Theology Today: Perspe

International Theological Commission formulated the significance, the principles and criterions, and the different perspectives on the various places plus the viewpoints that forms a good Catholic Theology in the third millennium. In order to have a well-structured and simplified overview of the International Theological Commission’s Theology Today, I will present to you the three chapters that cover this opus and the corresponding criterions of a good Catholic Theology. The first chapter is entitled Listening to the Word of God. Under this chapter, it unveils three criterions: first, The Primacy of the Word of God where it speaks about the importance of the Word of God which we can find in the written Sacred Scripture for God spoke through the prophets, the people He has chosen, and the par excellence of this Word is the Word made flesh, who is Jesus Christ. Why does Theology begin with the Word of God? It is because God has spoken to us first. Consequently, we should listen and our response to God is faith which Faith, the Response to God’s Word becomes the second criterion of a good Catholic Theology. Faith that is which we believed, know, and hold on to (Fides Quae). Likewise, faith that is acted or lived by (Fides Qua). The classical definition of Theology is Faith seeking understanding that is presented on the third criterion which is Theology, the Understanding of Faith. It presents that although Faith has an intellectual property, it does not solely use on that way for faith is not to be known but to believe on.

Chapter two is entitled: Abiding in The Communion of The Church. There are six criterions that are encapsulated to this part of the work. On the discussion of The Study of Scripture as the Soul of Theology, a good Catholic Theology highlights that all Catholic teachings, doctrines, and formulation of all canonical writings should be rooted on the written Sacred Scripture. On the discussion of Fidelity to Apostolic Tradition, while there is a written Apostolic Tradition which we can find on the Sacred Sciptures, Oral Apostolic Tradition came first. These teachings were handed down or transmitted from the time of apostles, to Church Fathers, and the doctors of the Church, up to present. The Church Magisterium holds this deposit of faith, the most kept treasured of the Church so that we are in the line not only of the Catholic Theology’s teachings but on the Catholic Church’s way of living. Attention to the ‘Sensus Fidelium’ is another consideration of a good Catholic Theology. As the Church listens to the Word of God, so also they should listen and pay attention to the Catholic faithful’s way of living the faith. Responsible Adherence to the Ecclesiastical Magisterium and In the Company of Theologians is the seventh and eighth criterion of a good Catholic Theology. It is true that Theologians are in the quest of the reflections and the study of the exploration in aiding the Church to discover the science of faith but theologians should respect the competence of the Magisterium, the college of bishops headed by the pope. For the task of the Magisterium is giving an authentic interpretation of the Sacred Scripture and Apostolic Tradition which were passed on them. But, Magisterium notifies that they do not hinder but support Catholic theologians in the quest of the study of the Church’s faith specifically to the works and events in the present. Thus, the seventh and eighth criteria highlight the importance of a fruitful collaboration between the theologians and the Magisterium that is always on the service on the Church’s faith. In Dialogue with the World subject matter, it notifies that a good Catholic Theology is a work that is relevant to the signs of the times of the world. A Catholic Theology will always be relevant for all the theological studies and reflections are always applied in the reality.

The third and last chapter is Giving an Account of The Truth of God. On the topic: The Truth of God and the Rationality of Theology, presents that a good and insightful Theology is that there should be a well-balanced of Philosophy or of knowledge and Theology or of faith in the exploration of the Truth. Excessive use of reason might result to rationalism while too much employment of faith may lead to fideism or fanaticism. The Unity of Theology in a Plurality of Methods, Disciplines’ topic, it explains that there are myriads of methods, of sciences, of studies, etc. But this should not lead to contradictions but it should lead to unity. These pluralities of all sciences should be geared towards to a unified end, God who is the ultimate Truth. The twelfth and last criterion being presented is the Science and Wisdom. This informs us that a good Catholic Theology is grounded on Sacred Scripture, Apostolic Tradition, and other significant considerations, but the Church should not forget the importance of the life and virtues exemplified by the saints.

In a nutshell, International Theological Commission proposed these twelve criterions and unravels a guide in making a good Catholic Theology which it is always on the service of the Church in the road to salvation of all the believers and in the glorification of God for all mankind.

Date written: September 6, 2018