Perspectief 2016-34

2016-34 The de-cognition of recognition 21 Com ment Of course, on the other hand, there is the risk of neglecting the institutional aspects of recognition and all that goes with it. Narrativity and experience My second point is that the de-cognition of recognition leads to the valorization of narrativity; a story approach to inter-church and inter-Christian relationships. The episode of the pilgrims of Emmaus includes a lot of storytelling. It starts with the two disciples telling what has happened in Jerusalem, and it continues with Jesus telling how one could find sense in what happened. It is partly because they listen to each other’s stories and experiences that final recognition is possible. Usually, mutual recognition in ecumenical relations is considered on the basis of possible convergence in doctrinal matters, but somehow de-cognition of recognition questions the status of doctrines and dogmas in this perspective. This is not a denial of their importance (they of course still need to be the object of discussion), but truth could primarily be seen as a story, a continuing story of women and men in their quest of God, as shared in Scripture and as newly lived in the life of women and men today. This approach leads to a reflection on the status of doctrines. Lindbeck is here very interesting to bring up. In The nature of doctrines , Lindbeck highlights three understandings of doctrine, “cognitive-propositional”, “experiential-expressive” and “cultural-linguistic”. In simplest terms, those who adhere to the cognitive-propositional model believe that the Bible contains timeless truths as proposals. Proponents of experiential-expressive approach see in the Bible imagery and symbols as bringing to light the religious experience. The third category of Lindbeck allows to emphasize the narrative dimension of the biblical story: the Church has the vocation to be rooted in real life and it is through this story that we can give meaning to the world, to life, and to experiences 4 . The accent on experience is central to recognition. Therefore, in this perspective, recognition in ecumenical relations would benefit of being thought of as common 4 Georges Lindbeck, The Nature of Doctrine. Religion and Theology in a Postliberal Age (Westminster: John Know Press, 1984).