Pope Gets to the Heart of Theological Dispute

(04 Nov 09 - RV) In his weekly general audience Wednesday Pope Benedict returned to the subject of the 12^th century theological dispute between monastic and scholastic theology.

In an over cast St Peter’s Square he spoke to the thousands of pilgrims and faithful about two Church figures from the High Middle Ages, two Frenchmen; Saint Bernard of Clairvaux and Abelard the monk.

The respective approaches of Bernard and Abelard—one a “theology of the heart” and the other a “theology of reason”— noted Pope Benedict were not without tension.

“Both of them considered theology as “faith seeking understanding”; but whereas Bernard placed the accent on “faith”, Abelard emphasized “understanding”.

“Bernard, for whom the aim of theology was to have a living experience of God, cautioned against intellectual pride which makes us think we can grasp fully the mysteries of faith”.

Abelard, who strove to apply the insights of philosophy to theology, saw in other religions the seeds of an openness to Christ”.
 Abelard, highlighted the Pope in Italian, stated that "the intention of the subject is the only source upon which to evaluate the goodness or evil of his acts"; this, warned the Pope, is a "dangerous subjectivism", which also present in our age, in the culture of ethical relativism of today, " for which "only I decide what is good for me right now."

 “They therefore illustrate the importance of healthy theological discussion and humble obedience to ecclesial authority. Theology must respect the principles it receives from revelation as it uses philosophy to interpret them. Whenever a theological dispute arises, everyone, and in a particular way the Magisterium, has a responsibility to safeguard the integrity of the faith”.