Franciscan Studies

THE GIFT OF THE SPIRIT ACCORDING TO JOHN HENRY NEWMAN (1828—1839) John Henry Newman has long been counted among the more significant religious thinkers and controversalists of the Nineteenth Century.1 More recently, however, he is acknowledged as one of the great seminal minds — if not the greatest seminal mind — of the contemporary Church, as one who, despite his own disclaimer of teaching as a theologian , has provided many of the theological insights which have been exploited by religious thinkers in today's world.2 Most often his name is associated with the growing conviction of the importance of the lay role in the Church to which he gave expression in his essay of 1859: On Consulting the Faithful in Matters of Doctrine.3 Here he defended the role the body of Christians as keepers of tradition and witnesses to 1 Since the focus of this article concerns the years 1828—1839, the following list will facilitate references to the more important writings. The date in brackets indicates the year in which the volume first appeared in its present form; the second is that of the edition consulted. Apo.Apologia Pro Vita Sua [1865], London, 1891. Arians. The Arians of the Fourth Century [1833], London, 1876. Essays. Essays, Critical and Historical [1871], 2 vols. London, 1877 Grammar. An Essay in Aid of a Grammar of Assent [1870], London-New York, 1947. Jfc.Lectures on the Doctrine of Justification [1838], London, 1892. Mozley. Letters and Correspondence of John Henry Newman during his Life in the English Church, 2 vols. [1891] London, 1891. P.S.Parochial and Plain Sermons, 8 vols. [1834—1843], London, 1858—1869. S.S.D. Sermons Bearing on Subjects of the Day [1843], London, 1909. Tracts. Tracts for the Times, 6 vols., London, 1840. U.S.Fifteen Sermons Preached before the University of Oxford [1843], London, 1872. V.M.The Via Media of the Anglican Church, 2 vols. [1837], London, 1895· 2 E. Przywara gives an idea of the extent of Newman's influence by saluting him as the modern Augustine: "... Newman als möglicher Kirchenlehrer der Neuen Zeit, heißt in seiner Besonderheit: heutiger Augustinus" (Idem, "Newman möglicher Heiliger und Kirchenlehrer der Neuen Zeit?" in Newman Studien, III (1957), P- 2^)3 Cf. J. H. Newman, On Consulting the Faithful in Matters of Doctrine (ed. J. Coulson), New York, 1961, for the history and edition of this article. Among more recent works relating to the same theme may be cited: S.D. Femiano, Infallibility of the Laity, the Legacy of Newman, New York, 1967; W. T. Patterson, Newman Pioneer for the Layman, Washington, 1968 ; C Hollis, Newman and the Modern World, Garden City, N.Y., 1967; J. Guit- -ton, The Church and the Laity, New York, 1965. 78GERALD DOLAN, O. F. M. the truth taught the Magisterium. In this essay when he points to the discernment of error by the body of the Church, he uses words which seem indicative of a much wider line of thought : The religious life of a people is of a certain quality and direction, and these are tested by the mode in which it encounters the various opinions, customs, and institutions which are submitted to it. Drive a stake into a river's bed, and you will at once ascertain which way it is running and at what speed; throw up even a straw upon the air, and you will see which way the wind blows; submit your heretical and Catholic principle to the action of the multitude, and you will be able to pronounce at once whether it is imbued with Catholic truth or heretical falsehood.4 Much of what Newman taught seems reflective of that part of Vatican IFs Dogmatic Constitution on the Church "Lumen Gentium" which bears the subtitle: "The Sense of the Faith and the Charisms among the Faithful."6 The first paragraph of the section states that the whole People of God share in the prophetic office of Christ. The following Unes focus upon the graces and gifts which are charismatic. . . . He distributes special graces among the faithful of every rank. By these gifts He makes them fit and ready to undertake various tasks...