Bishop Donald Bolen of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon (left) was keynote speaker at this year's ecumenical Scripturefest at Queen's House, which also featured ecumenical panelists (from the left) Bishop Cindy Halmarson of the Saskatchewan Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, Rev. Ann Marie Ash Nicklin of St. George Anglican Church, and Pastor Harry Strauss of Forest Grove Community Church. PM photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski
SASKATOON -- The profound ways in which the Word of God resonates in individual lives and church communities, as well as in ecumenical dialogue, was discussed in depth during an annual Scripturefest Jan. 21 at Queen's House of Retreat and Renewal in Saskatoon.

Presented in conjunction with the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, this year's ecumenical Scripturefest featured keynote speaker Bishop Donald Bolen of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon and an ecumenical panel that included Pastor Harry Strauss of Forest Grove Community Church, Rev. Ann Marie Ash Nicklin of St. George Anglican Church, and Bishop Cindy Halmarson of the Saskatchewan Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada.

"Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly" was the theme of the day.

Bolen presented an overview of the Catholic understanding of Scripture, introducing Dei Verbum, the Vatican II document dealing with the word of God in the life of the church. He also described the role of Scripture in ecumenical dialogues undertaken over the past 40 years among Christians of different traditions.

"The church has always venerated the divine Scriptures," said Bolen, reading from the Vatican II document. "She has always maintained them and continues to do so, together with the sacred tradition, as the supreme rule of faith since, as inspired by God and committed once and for all to writing, they impart the word of God himself without change."

The faithful are told to "hold fast to the Scriptures through diligent reading and careful study," and preaching is to be nourished and regulated by the Scriptures, he added, where God "meets his children with great love and speaks with them."

The document stresses the importance of Scripture study and states that Scripture is foundational for all theology and catechesis, as well as describing the value of prayer and the reading of the Scripture, and the value of ecumenical co-operation in translating the Scriptures.

Bolen pointed his listeners to the Catholic understanding of Scripture and Tradition as set forth in Pope John Paul II's encyclical, Ut Unum Sint (May they be one), where he speaks of "Sacred Scripture, as the highest authority in matters of faith, and Sacred Tradition, as indispensable to the interpretation of the Word of God" (para. 79).

Bolen noted the difference between "capital T" tradition, handed down from the apostles -- such as the New Testament itself -- and "lowercase t" traditions: liturgical, theological and devotional practices that have developed in a particular time and place, and which can and do change. "These 'small-t' traditions can be retained, they can be modified, they can be abandoned, through the guidance of the church's teaching," he explained.

When it comes to "capital T" tradition, the teaching authority of the church "is not above the word of God, but serves it, teaching only what has been handed on, listening to it devoutly, guarding it scrupulously and explaining it faithfully in accord with a divine commission and with the help of the Holy Spirit," Bolen said, adding this section of Dei Verbum does raise questions for ecumenical partners who have a different understanding of authority.

In many of the international ecumenical dialogues and joint statements of agreement between denominations, the role of Scripture and the relationship between Scripture and tradition have been addressed and thoroughly discussed, Bolen noted.

"The distinction between 'Scripture alone' and 'Scripture and tradition' has largely been addressed satisfactorily in our ecumenical relations," he said.

"I am a part of the Evangelical-Catholic dialogue, and at our last meeting in September in Rome, we specifically addressed the relationship between Scripture and tradition," Bolen said. "While we aren't anywhere near full agreement, we're chipping away at some of our misunderstandings about what the other holds, and I think we are making important progress."

Bolen then introduced a range of Scripture passages that address the intimacy of the Word of God working in the lives of the prophets.

"The Word is near you, it is in your mouth and in your heart," it is living and active, Bolen cited. He also reflected on the implications of the first words of John's Gospel, which make clear that the Word of God is not a book or dry text, but the living person of Jesus Christ.

Small group discussion explored where individuals, church communities and ecumenical encounters "feel and hear and know the power of the Word."

Bringing the reflections back to the large group, participants listed liturgy, sacraments and prayer as places where the Word is proclaimed and encountered. Others described non-church settings where the Word of God is engaged and discussed -- such as during a coffee shop discussion of a television program held at a local Anglican church.

A yearning to study the word of God ecumenically was expressed by participants, with suggestions such as an ecumenical Vacation Bible School, for adults as well as children, and joint study groups. A need for pastors and other leaders who are committed to working for Christian unity was also identified.

"We need to preach God's desire that we all may be one," said one participant, recalling the prophetic voice of one evangelical pastor in Saskatoon, the late Ken Rutherford, in praying and working for Christian unity.

It was noted that opportunities such as an ecumenical Journey through Scripture session held regularly at Queen's House need to be promoted.

"How do we start a fire in our churches for unity?" asked a participant, noting there is fear and complacency. "Ecumenism is not optional, it's not an add on."

The common witness of inter-denominational Christian communities, the importance of a common lectionary shared by different Christian churches, and the value of working together in common mission were also discussed.

Recalling how Christian church leaders in Saskatoon joined together to express support for the Good Food Junction co-operative grocery store at Station 20 West in Saskatoon, one delegate spoke about the impact of undertaking shared efforts and outreach -- something she experienced in remote communities of the north.

"Necessity is the mother of ecumenism," she said, "because when all of you have to work together, a lot can be done; shared mission is very powerful."

Others noted the importance of friendship in the ecumenical journey. Bolen agreed. "The unity of Christ isn't a concept. It's a reality, and it's built one relationship at a time. That's why when I come in and find that my co-panelists are all people that I've had a chance to work with ecumenically, there's a great richness and a joy. It's not just a sharing of ideas."