John Paul II, our common teacher
The Legacy of John Paul II
Tim Perry, editor
InterVarsity Press, 2007
327 pages
During the seven years I was part of a Mennonite Catholic dialogue group, we covered many subjects, but some we never touched. We never talked about the Catholic teaching on Mary, the mother of Jesus, for example, and we never got into the topic of papal infallibility. I sensed some embarrassment with those subjects, on both our sides.
I wish we had talked about them. I would have liked to hear the arguments made.
If someone were to begin a study course in Catholic teaching, they could hardly do better than a careful reading of The Legacy of John Paul II, a collection of essays by a fine roster of evangelical writers who reflect on the important encyclicals of the late Polish pope. There they’ll find these subjects treated – and treated well.
Providence College associate professor Tim Perry edited this volume, bringing together writers such as Ronald Sider, Terrance Tiessen (also from Providence), Clark Pinnock, Mark Noll, J.I. Packer, Timothy George, and Mark Charlton. The 17 writers demonstrate that thoughtful “evangelical” responses, to what J.I. Packer describes in a foreword as the “brilliant and weighty” encyclicals of John Paul, are possible. In each case, they replay the main themes of the encyclicals, look at some of their implications, and then respond to them as evangelicals might.
Papal infallibility
William Abraham of Southern Methodist University looks at John Paul’s warm invitation to other Christian communities to move closer together and places it against the backdrop of papal infallibility – that is, in those instances when the pope is understood to be speaking ex cathedra, “in the office of shepherd and teacher of all Christians.” Few Catholic teachings could pose a greater barrier for non-Catholics. Yet, if viewed in the way biblical infallibility is viewed by many evangelicals, it becomes far easier to understand, if not accept, Abraham writes.
Editor Perry examines John Paul II’s Marian piety, and his desire to “build bridges to other Christian communities” through a reconsideration of the role of Mary in the church. He did so particularly in the letter On the Blessed Virgin Mary. Perry explains in some detail the arguments developed within Catholicism for a view of Mary as the new Eve, her exaltation, her sinlessness, even her ascension, and her place as Mother of God. Perry says that despite John Paul II’s devotion to Mary, his role was to moderate excesses in Mariology, not contribute to them. Nonetheless, Perry concludes that the Catholic church’s teaching on Mary represents a “bridge too far” for evangelicals.
Legacy provides many insights. Oxford University’s Andrew Goddard has written a fine chapter on what was probably John Paul II’s most important letter, The Splendor of Truth. It explains the Pope’s vision for the church’s moral teaching. Mark Noll’s reflections on On the Eucharist in its Relation to the Church and Ron Sider’s on On Human Work are also very helpful.
10-talent person
Many of Legacy’s writers note how well John Paul II used the Scriptures. No one can read his writings and not be impressed by how familiar he was with them and how easily he could weave them into his arguments. J.I. Packer says that John Paul II was a 10-talent person – “philosopher, theologian, scholar, author, youth worker, ethicist, ecumenist, populist and more” – and all of it showed in his writing.
If I missed anything from Legacy it was this: a chapter on the public events that made John Paul II’s papacy such a powerful witness for the ordinary person. This would include his visit to Poland soon after he became Pope, his response to conflicts like the Falklands War or the conflict in the Middle East, his admonition to both Fidel Castro and the Americans during a visit to Cuba, his many apologies on behalf of the Catholic church, his words to young people at World Youth Days, the visit to his would-be assassin Mehmet Ali Agca, and the ready access he gave the world to observe him as he aged and suffered. Such moments left indelible impressions.
In the epilogue, Timothy George, executive editor of Christianity Today, calls John Paul II “our common teacher.” The writers of The Legacy of John Paul II make clear, despite our differences, just how much of a teacher this pope was to us all.
—Harold Jantz
