Sola Scriptura: Benedict XVI's Theology of the Word of God

This book explores the feasibility of an ecumenical joint statement on the sola scriptura principle. It outlines the crucial elements of this principle—the nature and the scope of the authority of the Word of God, the nature of the relationship between revelation, tradition and the Holy Scriptures, and biblical hermeneutics. It attempts to create a basis for an ecumenical dialogue between Protestant/ Evangelical and Catholic theology. It defines and evaluates the sola scriptura principle as it is expressed in the Protestant Reformation (Martin Luther and John Calvin specifically), contemporary Evangelical theology, traditional Catholic theology and post-Vatican II progressive Catholic theology, with special emphasis on Joseph Ratzinger’s (Benedict XVI) theology of the Word of God. The book also offers a unique array of indispensable requirements for redrawing the emphasis in the theology of Scripture, in order to create an ecumenical joint statement that is viable in both Evangelical and Catholic communities of faith.