The Conflict with Rome by Gerritt C. Berkouwer (review)

294 BOOK REVIEWS The Conflict with Rome. By GznmTT C. BERKOUWER. Philadelphia: Presbyterian & Reformed, 1957. l~p. 319. $5.95. The Reformation is a process, an unendi!lg one which leads either back to Rome or further away from even its own starting point. For this reason any record or commentary on the relationships between Protestantism and Catholicism is bound to have a certain incompleteness about it. Dr. Berkouwer's discussion of the areas of coHflict with Rome, offered with the authority of a recognized theologian, has this natural limitation also, but he is -objective and thorough enough to >:.cknowledge it. His thesis seems to hinge on this precise fact of growing opposit;on on the one hand and growing affinity on the other, not so much in social and political activity, but in the understanding of the fundamental principles of Christianity . The Conflict with Rome shows the Catholic and Protestant theologian just what has happened to the original issues of protest. This work has many merits, not the least of which is its sober and charitable consideration of every subject discussed, but then what else is expected. Moreover, the author does not hesitate to call a conflict a conflict: there is no artificial attempt to resolve aU differences, but rather an honest, if sometimes incomplete, presentation of those differences which he considers to be worthy of conflict, nt least Dr. Berkouwcr understands well the consistent refusal of lhe Catholic Church to compromise her teaching for the sake of a broader Christian unity which would be proportionately less Christian as it became more compromised. He sees the differences as more than different views of the same basic truths, but as " different religions " radically opposed ou all fundamentals. 'When it comes to the actual analysis of the conflict with Rome on such fundamental issues as the authority of the Church, grace, predestination, the communion of saints, the Incarnation and sacraments there is much to be criticized both positively and negatively. Before uudertaking such brief observations as are here warranted, this much must be acknowledged. Berkouwer is obv;ously interested in delineating the fundamental points of dispute: he does not attempt an extensive exposition of the doctrines of both sides ,vith their own exhaustive defenses. He chooses, as he naturally must, what he understands to be the critical issues, exposes them in their own authoritative texts and shows the opposition. Granted, it would be impossible to admit every argument and rebutal, yet Berkouwer does fail to represent many of the fundamental principles of Catholicism which would color the exact points of difficulty. This defect most likely comes from his more constant interpretation of the teaching of the Church in the context of its own condemnation or opposition to the Reformation. This is not sufficient. BOOK REVIEWS ~95 When the Church condemned the Reformation, it did not condemn those truths which the Reformers retained. When the Church did not explicitly recognize such truths as the value of the individual's conscience, the absolute necessity of Faith (as fundamental to) justification, the place of Scripture as a source of divine personal communication, as they were proposed by the reformers, she was not minimizing their importance. She already possessed them in the unity of the Faith and preserved them in the proper context. Because this is true of the Chruch's view of her own mission, though the Protestant, consistent with his own principles, would not concede this, one must understand the teaching of the Church universally . For example, the history of doctrinal disputes within the Church, valuable as it is, does not reveal the depth of the Faith with its proper order and balance. Not even Denzinger's "Enchiridion Symbolorum," studied from cover to cover, would yield a comprehensive picture of the Faith especially its intrinsic harmony. The most revered ecclesiastical writers, however approved by the Church, have their limitations. Hence the Church must be judged by her whole teaching mission, using Scripture to reprove, to correct, to instruct in justice, to entreat and to rebuke in all patience and doctrine, as St. Paul encouraged Timothy to do. The presence of the Holy Ghost in the Church, not as in a~ institution, but in...