Whoever Hears You Hears Me: Dogmatic Authority as Testimony

James Dominic Rooney

Dec 2025 · Taylor & Francis

Ebook

266

Pages

Eligible

About this ebook

Many oppose dogma fearing that heresy accusations lead to violence; similarly, opposition to claims of infallible church authority stems from fears of fanaticism, closed-mindedness, and blind obedience. The book justifies dogma while firmly opposing violence, fanaticism, closed-mindedness, and mindless deference.

Through philosophical reasoning, this title demonstrates that Christian theists who reject dogma or dogmatic authority ultimately adopt self-defeating positions. These insights reveal why Christians should unite to restore communion within one holy, catholic, and apostolic church. The work presents a fresh perspective, showing that anathemas and dogmatic authority are essential elements of Christian charity, even toward those who are anathematized. Additionally, it advances ecumenical dialogue by demonstrating how the best of various Christian theological traditions that uphold Scripture's truth and inspiration can find fulfillment in the restoration of an undivided Church.

The book will appeal to scholars of theology, philosophy of religion, and ecclesiology.

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About the author

James Dominic Rooney, OP, is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), a fellow of the Angelicum Thomistic Institute (Rome, Italy), and research fellow of the HKBU Centre for Sino-Christian Studies. A Dominican Friar of the Province of St. Albert the Great (Chicago, IL), he works primarily in metaphysics, medieval philosophy, and Chinese philosophy. He also has significant research interests in philosophy of religion and political philosophy. His most recent books are Beyond Classical Liberalism: Freedom and the Good (2024, co-edited with Patrick Zoll, Routledge) and Not a Hope in Hell (2024, Routledge).

James Dominic Rooney, OP, is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), a fellow of the Angelicum Thomistic Institute (Rome, Italy), and research fellow of the HKBU Centre for Sino-Christian Studies. A Dominican Friar of the Province of St. Albert the Great (Chicago...

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