In this video with Robert Royal, Larry Chapp knocks it out of the park! He describes the present theological trend, a “theology from below” especially in relation to moral theology. The starting point becomes one’s subjective experience rather than the objective loci of revelation. What this winds up in is relegating to what the Church has taught in its moral theology as the virtuous, moral commandments, as an “ideal” which not everyone can or should attain, thus resulting in an attempt to dumb down the law. It contradicts Veritatis splendor They also talk about theology from below in relation to Liberation Theology, the experience of the poor being the starting point that winds up being pitted again the better off.
This is one of the best, brief descriptions of what is going on today in theology that I have heard.
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I believe Card Fernandez has also labeled it The Theology of the People.
Or, is this “theology” used as a smoke screen, as in the Synodal process.
Great interview. I, too, like Larry Chapp’s directness and way with words.
I wish someone would ‘transcribe’, or whatever the tech term for it is, these Veritas Splendour tapes into a more accessible form. Maybe podcasts, videos, or online recordings. A friend loaned me this set of 8 tapes with Cd Arinze interviewed by Jerry Coniker (Apostolate for Family Consecration) going over Veritas Splendor, JP2’s encyclical on morals. It was outstanding! I was in the process of reverting back to the RC church and so many questions were addressed and clarified! I fell in love with Cd Arinze. His simple, clear, heartfelt responses and explanations of fuzzy issues was more than edifying…. I say fuzzy because when I was first coming back I didn’t know what the church believed anymore. Most Catholics I knew didn’t go to church any more, cohabitated, advocated population control etc… These tapes help straighten me out. Beautifully titled: The Splendor of Truth! Truth is not fuzzy.
Somebody , please! Take on this project. They are currently on eBay for $350.
I agree with much of what they are saying, except for the reference to theology from below. The Moral Theology of St Thomas is from below, based on human nature and human acts.
The difference is that St Thomas employs philosophical principles that are true, and Fernandez does not–because he doesn’t have a clue.