The ‘sense of faith’ (sensus fidei) in historical and doctrinal perspective [book review]

Hannaford, Robert (2024) The ‘sense of faith’ (sensus fidei) in historical and doctrinal perspective [book review]. Ecclesiology, 20 (1). pp. 99-104.

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Abstract

Robert Hannaford (formerly Head of the Department of Religion and Philosophy at the University of Cumbria, UK) reviews the book "The ’Sense of the Faith’ in History: Its Sources, Reception and Theology" by John J. Burkhard (OFM Conv., Liturgical Press Academic, Collegeville, Minnesota, 2022).

The author’s extensive bibliography, numerous detailed footnotes, and many translated citations of significant contributions to scholarship, reveals his extensive knowledge in this area of theology. Although many, including readers of this journal, will be aware of the terms the ‘sense of the faith’ [sensus fidei] or the ‘sense of the faithful’ [sensus fidelium], by the author’s own admission, they have had little or no impact on the church and are noticeably absent from wider theological writing, including discussion about the doctrine of the church. This suggests that doctrinal thinking in this area is still insufficiently developed to warrant wider reference or application. The book should go some way towards rectifying this, exploring as it does the origins of the term and the sources from which it sprang. The idea of the ‘Sense of the Faith’ treated as a formal or technical term is largely, if not entirely, restricted to Catholic theological thinking. Despite that it has considerable ecumenical significance. First, it helps to clarify further the Catholic rationale for some of the doctrines contested by Protestant and Orthodox Christians, such as the dogmas of the Immaculate Conception and the Bodily Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It shows how they link to the ongoing process of receiving the revelation of God as expressed in the developing tradition of the Catholic Church’s faith and worship. Secondly, it throws light on the relationship between the role and authority of the whole Church, individual believers, and those who hold public, formal, office. This is an especially challenging area given the many different positions adopted within the diverse Protestant traditions. The issue has also come into sharper focus within the Catholic Church because of the present Pope’s encouragement of greater synodality. It would be a mistake to see this as a move to create a new form of governance within the Catholic Church. Rather it picks up the call of the Second Vatical Council for all baptised Christians to own their responsibility to participate actively in the life of the Church, especially its mission to evangelise the world.

Item Type:	Article
Journal / Publication Title:	Ecclesiology
Publisher:	Brill Academic Publishers
ISSN:	1745-5316
Departments:	Institute of Arts > Humanities
Additional Information:	Robert Hannaford taught theology in Chichester and Oxford before moving to the University of Cumbria, UK, where he served as Executive Dean of the Faculty of Education, Arts and Business and Professor of Theology. Following retirement from the university he served as Director of Ministerial Formation for the Anglican Diocese of Carlisle.
Depositing User:	Insight Administrator
SWORD Depositor:	Insight Administrator
Date Deposited:	17 Apr 2024 19:46
Last Modified:	28 May 2024 17:00
URI:	https://insight.cumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/7640

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