In a profound, inspired and prophetic declaration entitled "Jesus is Lord!" ("Dominus Iesus") the "Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith" reaffirmed the essential claims of the uniqueness of Jesus Christ against the modern backdrop of relativism and skepticism. What is needed now is a full and eager "Amen" from the entire Christian community, so that the third Christian millennium may indeed become a great missionary age.
Like millions of others, I read the press releases concerning some "new" Vatican declaration. The implication was that some new "crackdown" was under way.
Most of the headlines, even in Christian sources, were framed in negative language. It would seem to the reader that the "Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith" had, at best, set back Christian cooperation or, at worst, become even more "intolerant" of diversity.
So, I went directly to the Vatican Web site and downloaded the document. Ah, the beauty of the new technology! It "rocked my world" as they say. Literally. It made me even happier to be a Catholic Christian, a member of the Catholic clergy, and grateful for clarity of a "Magisterium" (teaching office) given the growing morass of relativism both within the Church and outside the Christian community.
The document is entitled "Dominus Iesus" (“Jesus is Lord!”). In its introduction, the text clarifies that its purpose is simple: to reaffirm the central claims of Christianity "in order to reiterate certain truths that are part of the Church's faith."
Well, one may ask, "Why?” Those who are involved in Christian work of any kind should know the answer.
Again, the text is clear. "The Church's constant missionary proclamation is endangered today by relativistic theories which seek to justify religious pluralism." In the 36 pages of text and 102 footnotes that follow, the document goes on to reaffirm the central claims of Christianity.
Section One is entitled "The Fullness and Definitiveness of the Revelation of Jesus Christ." I challenge every Christian reading this article to study this cogent, clear, and profound defense of the uniqueness of Jesus Christ and the inerrancy of the Sacred Scriptures! It sets the pattern for the rest of this truly marvelous piece of writing.
The second section takes on the new forms of universalism that undermine the unique claims of Jesus Christ as Son of God, Messiah, truly God and truly man, and the role of the Holy Spirit in the Church and in the world. Again, the clarity of the treatment is refreshing and should be welcomed by every Christian who affirms what C.S. Lewis once called "mere Christianity"—the basics of the Faith.
The third section similarly reaffirms the "one universal gift of salvation offered by the Father through Jesus Christ in the Spirit." It reaffirms the respect that Christians should hold for other religious traditions but insists on what the Christian faith has always insisted on: Jesus is Lord!
The fourth section is one of the clearest explanations of Catholic ecclesiology (or the theology of the Church) that I have read in a long time. Of course, some other Christians will disagree with all of its claims, but they are set forth without any confusion. To paraphrase and popularize: Jesus established one Church, not many.
Though all Christians are not now one and there have been wounds to unity on all "sides," the Church is supposed to be one, holy catholic and apostolic. Although there have been mistakes, sins (and there are plenty of things to repent), the plan for the unity of the Church is God's, not our own. The prayer of Jesus recorded in John 17:21 will be answered. We will again be one.
The Catholic church teaches that all baptized Christians are already in some form of communion with that one Church but that this communion is "imperfect" or "incomplete." That is why Catholic Christians do not "re-baptize" other Christians who seek full communion with her. That is also why Catholics do not enter into the Eucharistic communion with all other Christians. Not only are there differences over what the "Lord's Supper" truly is, but also Catholic Christians (and Orthodox Christians) believe that the Eucharist is the sacrament of full communion.
We must be honest. We are not yet in full agreement on doctrine and life. Yes, the divisions should pain us all, and we should long for healing, but to pretend there are not differences is disingenuous. And yet, we will be one at the table again.
Section five treats the vital subject of the relationship between the Church and the Kingdom of God. By restating the beautiful words of the Second Vatican Council that the Church on earth is "the seed and the beginning of that kingdom," important distinctions are drawn. A profound "Missiology" (or theology of mission) is set forth which gives tremendous insight into contemporary concerns such as understanding the Christian mission in the world.
Finally, in section six, the subject of inter-religious dialogue and co-operation is addressed. This is a unique distinctive of Catholic teaching which, though often misunderstood, provides a great framework for authentic pluralism. Such cooperation is encouraged, but the document reaffirms that Christians must never compromise the "duty and urgency of the proclamation of salvation and of conversion to the Lord Jesus Christ."
Catholic teaching distinguishes between "ecumenism" which pertains to cooperation between Christians and "inter-religious dialogue" which speaks to appropriate dialogue and cooperation with members of other religions. Unfortunately, the increasing confusion between the two is one of the reasons the Vatican released the document.
"Jesus is Lord!" is a breath of fresh air in an age of relativism and theological confusion. It can also become a breath of the Holy Spirit for Christian dialogue and authentic efforts at ecumenical cooperation. However, it must first be read, even if it will not be fully embraced on all of its points by those Christians who are not Catholic.
All Christians, indeed all people of good will who hunger for the truth, should welcome this clear affirmation of the basic Gospel, defense of the Christian mission in the world and the inerrancy of the Christian scriptures.
In an age that has been characterized by relativism, skepticism, secularism, and syncretism, all Christians should give a hearty "Amen" to its defense of the timeless proclamation that "Jesus is Lord!"
Copyright © 2000 Deacon Keith A. Fournier
Keith A. Fournier, a graduate of the Pontifical Pope John Paul II Institute For Studies On Marriage and Family, and the founder of the "Common Good Foundation" and the "Liberty, Life and Family Institute," currently serves as Executive Editor For Catholic Affairs for Christianity.com. A Catholic Deacon, Fournier is also a constitutional lawyer and is the author of seven books, including A House United? Evangelicals and Catholics Together: A Winning Alliance For the 21st Century. A happily married man, Keith and his wife Laurine are the proud parents of five children.
