Den kyrkliga lärans sanningsanspråk och den ekumeniska dialogen Dominus Iesus som utmaning för samtalet mellan konfessionerna

Abstract

This article reflects upon the implications of the recent Vatican document Dominus Iesus for the ecumenical movement and for ecumenical theology. After discussing some of the initial shock reactions to this document in Germany, the author investigates existing differences between the Roman Catholic understanding of Christian faith, as expressed in Dominus Iesus, and the Protestant understanding of Christian faith. While both Churches agree that faith is a gift of God and that the salvific mystery of Jesus Christ is unique and universal, the Roman Catholic Church deduces from this mystery its own unique and universal character as Church. Moreover, the nature of the tme church is defined with reference to two necessary criteria, i.e. the uninterrupted apostolic succession and the protection of the fullness of the eucharistie mystery. From a Protestant perspective, any insistence on the necessary mediation of salvation through the church appears as a challenge to the belief in God’s exclusive power to offer salvation. Hence, the differences with regard to the nature of the church and to its salvific role remain undissolved in the light of Dominus Iesus. The author concludes the article by calling for an honest ecumenical work with these existing differences as regards the nature of God’s action in the world. And he reminds the reader that true community between the churches is itself a gift of the triune God.