Description:
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.
Review Quotes:
"Rooney's book offers a clear articulation and rigorous defense of a central orthodox position--that Christian faith essentially includes belief in a range of central truths (or dogma), and that knowledge of these truths ultimately depends on the authority of divine and human testimony. Moreover, Rooney argues, Christian truth and Christian love fundamentally coincide, and therefore dogma and dogmatic authority are inconsistent with violence, fanaticism, and mindless deference. Rooney's treatment is rich and nuanced, and will be of value to both philosophy of religion and broader discussions regarding the nature and implications of Christian orthodoxy."
John Greco, Robert L. McDevitt and Catherine H. McDevitt Professor of Philosophy at Georgetown University
"James Dominic Rooney has made a habit of defending orthodox, yet unfashionable positions with unusual care. He defends eternal punishment against David Bentley Hart and liberal democracy against Catholic integralists. Regardless of his opponents, left or right, Catholic, Protestant, or Orthodox, he thinks through each question on its own terms and follows the argument where it goes. Whoever Hears You Hears Me applies the same method to dogmatic authority. The core claim is Newmanian: Christians who accept Scripture's authority have already conceded the need for an infallible witness to that Scripture. Rooney updates the argument for a contemporary audience, engaging with Protestant philosophers like Gavin Ortlund and William Lane Craig. The result is a book that conservative Protestants should take seriously, even if they remain unconvinced."
Kevin Vallier, Professor of Philosophy at the Institute of American Constitutional Thought and Leadership, University of Toledo