Does the Truth Change? (Part II)

In the previous post I explain some of the definitions St. John Henry Newman gives to doctrine, authority, and private judgement. Now I will seek to explore how Newman uses these definitions to construct a view of theology that can be said to “develop” without changing what Christ taught. First, there exists the issue of when private judgement fails to attain truth. Since private judgement varies from person to person, there are different degrees to which the statements of private judgement can claim to represent truth. Laurence Richardson writes that although private judgement pertains to the individual’s mind, it is … Continue reading “Does the Truth Change? (Part II)”

Does the Truth Change (Part I)

Does the truth change? Does the eternal truth of Christ change? On one hand believers of all creeds will find the notion of truth changing to be anathema! How can the words of scripture, those spoken by Christ, provide foundation for theological doctrines that change over time? Many scholars will point out good evidence that Abraham believed in many gods, that the early apostles did not believe in the Trinity, and challenge a variety of other Christian truths. Using this as evidence of Christian “advancement” in theology, scholars will use these arguments as data to support the Church changing to … Continue reading “Does the Truth Change (Part I)”