The Principium Cognoscendi of Roman Catholic Theology

Authors

F. E. Mayer, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis

Publication Date

5-1-1951

Document Type

Article

Keywords

catholic church, rome, protestant, pope, encyclical, theologians

Submission Type

Bible Study; Lecture; Sermon Prep

Abstract

For a time it seemed that Rome made honest attempts to bring about a rapprochement to Protestantism and to remove as far as possible all obstacles in the way of a reunion of all Christian denominations. In the encyclical Provida Matris of May, 1895, the Pope suggested prayers for the reconciliation with the separated brethren (italics our own). In the encyclical Mystici Corporis Christi of 1943 and again in the Christmas message of 1949 the Roman pontiff seemingly welcomed discussions between Catholic and Protestant theologians. In the Christmas message the Pope did not seem to be averse in principle to a "brotherly" theological examination of that which separates Christian confessions. As a result, many Protestant theologians hoped that the papal Church would participate in the ecumenical movement, more specifically, send official representatives to the first meeting of the World Council of Churches at Amsterdam.

Disciplines

Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion

Scripture References in this Resource (separated by semi-colons)

1 Timothy 3:15; Ephesians 5:32; 1 Corinthians 4:1; Genesis 3:17; 2 Peter 1:20; Acts 17:11;

Submission Cost

Free

Submission Audience

Laity; Ministers; Scholars

Recommended Citation

Mayer, F. E. (1951) "The Principium Cognoscendi of Roman Catholic Theology," Concordia Theological Monthly: Vol. 22, Article 28.
Available at: https://scholar.csl.edu/ctm/vol22/iss1/28