Development of Catholic Doctrine: Evolution, Revolution, or an Organic Process?

by Dave Armstrong

Publisher:

Dave Armstrong

, 2007

C.S. Lewis, the famous Anglican writer, once wrote: “The very possibility of progress demands that there should be an unchanging element . . . the positive historical statements made by Christianity have the power . . . of receiving, without intrinsic change, the increasing complexity of meaning which increasing knowledge puts into them.” Doctrine clearly develops within Scripture—that's the nature of “progressive revelation”. A few examples include the doctrines of the afterlife, the Trinity, the Messiah (eventually revealed as God the Son), the Holy Spirit (Divine Person in the New Testament), the equality of Jews and Gentiles, bodily resurrection, and sacrifice of lambs evolving into the sacrifice of Christ. This book serves as an introduction to the notion of doctrinal development, written from a popular lay apologetics standpoint.

Contents

Top Highlights

“But neither does development end in the apostolic period. The theology of Christ, or Christology, continued to develop for hundreds of years after Christianity began. Virtually all Christians are agreed on this aspect of theology: the nature of Christ and the Trinity. But many aspects of these doctrines were developments, not explicitly found in the Bible.” (Pages 10–11)

“In John 14:26 and 16:13, Jesus says that the Spirit will ‘teach you all things’ and ‘guide you into all the truth.’ The Holy Spirit is the Paraclete, or Comforter. The Church learns things through the ages. So there is no reason to think that all knowledge will cease after the apostles. We still reflect upon doctrines.” (Page 11)

“It is immediately evident that reading Genesis is a lot different from reading, the Gospel of John or St. Paul’s Epistle to the Colossians. One notes an obvious development of the thought and theology.” (Page 10)

“the subjective grasp of men increases, without the actual doctrine or dogma changing in an essential way” (Page 5)

“a growth of depth and clarity in the understanding of the truths of divine revelation.” (Page 5)

Product Details

• Title: Development of Catholic Doctrine: Evolution, Revolution, or an Organic Process?
• Author: Dave Armstrong
• Publisher: Dave Armstrong
• Print Publication Date: 2007
• Logos Release Date: 2012
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subject: Catholic Church › History of doctrines
• Resource ID: LLS:DVLPMNTCTHLCDCT
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-03-25T19:37:49Z

About Dave Armstrong

David Armstrong is a Catholic apologist and author (convert from evangelical Protestantism in 1991). His conversion story is in Surprised by Truth (1994). He has been published in The Catholic Answer, This Rock, Envoy, and other periodicals. His many radio appearances include “Catholic Answers Live” and “Faith & Family Live.”