Development of Doctrine
The seed was planted once; how much may the tree be allowed to grow?
This idea holds that the Church's understanding of revealed truth grows and is clarified over time, even as the truth itself remains constant. Vincent of Lerins offered early criteria, and John Henry Newman developed an influential theory of authentic development. The concept is contested: it is central to Catholic self-understanding, while other traditions debate how far doctrine may legitimately develop without departing from its origins.
How it traveled
- The Prescription Against Heretics.— · 220explains
- On Monogamy.— · 220explains
- The Church History of EusebiusCaesarea · 339explains
- City of GodHippo Regius · 430explains
- The ConfessionsHippo Regius · 430explains
- Letters of St. AugustinHippo Regius · 430explains
- The Commonitory of Vincent of Lérins, For the Antiquity and Universality of the Catholic Faith Against the Profane Novelties of All HeresiesLérins · 445explains
Key passages(20)
The Commonitory of Vincent of Lérins, For the Antiquity and Universality of the Catholic Faith Against the Profane Novelties of All Heresies · Vincent of Lérins
On the Veiling of Virgins. · Tertullian: Part Fourth
The Commonitory of Vincent of Lérins, For the Antiquity and Universality of the Catholic Faith Against the Profane Novelties of All Heresies · Vincent of Lérins
On Monogamy. · Tertullian: Part Fourth
Book Second. of the Knowledge of God the Redeemer, in Christ, as First Manifested to the Fathers, Under the Law, and Thereafter to Us Under the Gospel · John Calvin
The Commonitory of Vincent of Lérins, For the Antiquity and Universality of the Catholic Faith Against the Profane Novelties of All Heresies · Vincent of Lérins
The Commonitory of Vincent of Lérins, For the Antiquity and Universality of the Catholic Faith Against the Profane Novelties of All Heresies · Vincent of Lérins
The Commonitory of Vincent of Lérins, For the Antiquity and Universality of the Catholic Faith Against the Profane Novelties of All Heresies · Vincent of Lérins
The Commonitory of Vincent of Lérins, For the Antiquity and Universality of the Catholic Faith Against the Profane Novelties of All Heresies · Vincent of Lérins
The Commonitory of Vincent of Lérins, For the Antiquity and Universality of the Catholic Faith Against the Profane Novelties of All Heresies · Vincent of Lérins
The Prescription Against Heretics. · Anti-marcion
A Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles · John Chrysostom
The Church History of Eusebius · Eusebius of Caesarea
The Commonitory of Vincent of Lérins, For the Antiquity and Universality of the Catholic Faith Against the Profane Novelties of All Heresies · Vincent of Lérins
The Commonitory of Vincent of Lérins, For the Antiquity and Universality of the Catholic Faith Against the Profane Novelties of All Heresies · Vincent of Lérins
The Commonitory of Vincent of Lérins, For the Antiquity and Universality of the Catholic Faith Against the Profane Novelties of All Heresies · Vincent of Lérins
The Commonitory of Vincent of Lérins, For the Antiquity and Universality of the Catholic Faith Against the Profane Novelties of All Heresies · Vincent of Lérins
The Confessions · Augustine of Hippo
Thoughts on the Revival of Religion in New England · Jonathan Edwards