Can theologizing be equated to a mere repetition of magisterial teachings?
Can theologizing be equated to a mere repetition of magisterial teachings?

Summary/Abstract: During the past three or four decades, it has become a popular but shallow trend to portray Catholic theology as a mere repetition of the hierarchical magisterial teachings. This is not only contrary to the clear indications given by the Second Vatican Council but also completely out of step with the Church’s cherished theological Tradition. Since theology is basically the faith seeking an understanding within a given context, it follows automatically, that while the essence of faith cannot be tampered with, the accidentals of faith can be expressed in a variety of ways as the particular contexts demand. Of course, the hierarchical magisterium is an indispensable source of Catholic theology but that does not mean theologizing could be boiled down to a mere repetition of hierarchical magisterial teachings. Surely, any unhealthy plurality of theologizing has to be shunned, but a healthy plurality of theology as such has always been welcome from the Biblical times to our day. As such, all exaggerated fears of some people that all plurality of theologizing is unsound and could lead to relativism, subjectivism, etc., and so, the only way to have genuine theologizing is to repeat what the hierarchical magisterium proclaims, is not only unrealistic but badly erroneous.

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