An Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine

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An Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine
is one of the most significant works of John Henry Newman, probably the greatest religious thinker of modern times. The concept of the development of religious doctrine is one of tremendous importance, and fascinated Newman, who devoted many years to its study. The rich fruit of his meditation and study is this Essay, which provides a liberal education in Christian history and theology on a vast panoramic scale extending across the centuries.
Newman begins the Essay with a definition of development, pointing out that the real problem is how to distinguish true developments from corruptions and decays. From this starting point, he goes on to a sweeping consideration of the growth and development of doctrine in the Catholic Church, from the time of the Apostles down to his own era. He shows that the basic"rule under which Christianity proceeded through the centuries is to be found in the principle of development, and emphasizes... Tovább

Fülszöveg

An Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine
is one of the most significant works of John Henry Newman, probably the greatest religious thinker of modern times. The concept of the development of religious doctrine is one of tremendous importance, and fascinated Newman, who devoted many years to its study. The rich fruit of his meditation and study is this Essay, which provides a liberal education in Christian history and theology on a vast panoramic scale extending across the centuries.
Newman begins the Essay with a definition of development, pointing out that the real problem is how to distinguish true developments from corruptions and decays. From this starting point, he goes on to a sweeping consideration of the growth and development of doctrine in the Catholic Church, from the time of the Apostles down to his own era. He shows that the basic"rule under which Christianity proceeded through the centuries is to be found in the principle of development, and emphasizes that throughout the entire life of the Church this law of development has been in effect and safeguards the faith from any real corruption.
He concludes by saying that in the Catholic Church "Doctrine is where it was, and usage, and precedence; and principle and policy; there may be changes, but they are consolidations or adaptations; all is unequivocal and determinate, with an identity which there is no disputing.
The day after he had finished the Essay, Newman's tortured search was at an end. On October 9, 1845, he entered the Catholic Church.
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