Tensions in the Development of Pre-Vatican II Theologies: Contending Approaches of Neo-scholasticism, Modernism and "Ressourcement"

This article explores pre-Vatican II Catholic thoughts, especially the interactions, conflicts and developments among neo-scholasticism, modernism and the "ressourcement" movement. As the then contemporary official theology, neo-scholasticism powerfully inhibited modernism and "ressourcement" in order to defend the centrality and authority of magisterium of the church by the fear of relativism these movements may lead to. However, common opponent as they had, modernism and ressourcement cannot be regarded as on the same side because they differed essentially in theological standpoint and perspective. This article investigates these movements against the historical and theological background so as to make explicit the connections and differences among them.