Understading Doctrinal Development

[rben20]

Hello Catholics,

I’m a bit confused with the concept of doctrinal development. I believe it was Cardinal John Henry Newman who coined it. What supports it when we have teachings that are not to be changed? I understand the teachings have been developed as follows in the Roman Catholic Church: Church fathers —> Medieval Scholasticism —> Vatican II teaching. Granted I painted Church theology with a large brush but I would like to know your opinions and whether what we teach now really don’t contradict what has been previously taught by the Apostles. Thanks

 

[Gabriel_of_12]

Hello Catholics,

I’m a bit confused with the concept of doctrinal development. I believe it was Cardinal John Henry Newman who coined it. What supports it when we have teachings that are not to be changed? I understand the teachings have been developed as follows in the Roman Catholic Church: Church fathers —> Medieval Scholasticism —> Vatican II teaching. Granted I painted Church theology with a large brush but I would like to know your opinions and whether what we teach now really don’t contradict what has been previously taught by the Apostles. Thanks

What has developed from Apostolic sacred Tradition and sacred Scripture never conflicts with Apostolic revealed doctrine.

To begin with every Church doctrine gets defined, clarified and or developed by progression from what was already revealed by Jesus and taught by the Apostles supported by Sacred Tradition.

Each time the sacred Traditions and or the written teachings of the Apostles handed down to us were challenged and or denied, the wisdom of the Church counciled to defeat any new teaching which conflicted with the faith, by clarification, developing new terminology such as the new developed definition of the “Trinity” which separated those from the apostolic successors defending the two natures of Christ and the revelation of the God head revealed by Jesus from heretics or heresies who denied them.

The first century Church already believed in God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. It was not until 400 ± years LATER that the Church developed the doctrine of the Trinity binding on all believers or be anathamatized.

The faith grows and developes in understanding, clarification and definition to defeat heretics and or heresies so as not to be hindered or moved by every wind of doctrine from man which denies or conflicts with God’s revelations.

As man’s knowledge grows and developes in the world around him, so grows the faith and developes in greater understanding, and definition so that the teachings of Christ never change. The development of understanding can change in terminology and definition for clarification, but the Rock (faith) never changes.

At least thats one opinionated view.

 

[laszlo]

As the tree grows from the seed, and becomes quite different from the seed, so developed the doctrine through the century. The tree is virtually in the seed, but the seed is not the tree yet.

The difference is using new words, new symbols, resetting the emphasis.

In the first millennium Christ’s presence was primarily understood through the Church, as the mystical Body of His. The Eucharist came to the center with the second millennium, and right now we move toward the synthesis.

From the Marian dogmas the Theotokos (God-bearer) and the perpetual virginity is Patristic concept; the wording of the Immaculate Conception and Assumption is much later development.

The concept of the revelation grew from the (written or oral) testimony of eyewitnesses, to the dictation of the Holy Spirit word to word, and again back to a much looser concept: human work under the supervision of the Holy Spirit.