DOCTORES ECCLESIAE

Abstract

In ourcontemporary Sacra doctrina, sacra Scnptura,auctoritas: these words ring differently to searchfor a common the medieval ear than do our modem terms theology, Scripture, understandingofthe and authority. In our contemporary search for a common understandauthorityofSacred ing of the authority of Sacred Scripture, it will be helpful to return to Scripture, it wIllbe Aquinas understanding of these terms for the light that it can throw helpJitI toreturnto on what may be called a theory of faith-communication. I will treat Aquinas understanding each of the expressions in the light of Aquinas view that all of these ofthese termsfor the aspects of the Christian life are related in the one light of revelation, as lightthatit canthrow this permeates human thought processes. I will then indicate the imon whatmay becatted portance of this understanding for our modem problem of establisha theoryofnithing criteria for the discerning of authentic tradition. communication. R. Francis Martin,John PaulII Institutefor Studies onMarriage andFamily, 487Michigan AvenueN£ Washington, DC20017