Church HistoryTier 4NeutralStarted by Jacob Douglass - 24d ago - 1 comment
Does doctrine strengthen in response to challenges?
Discussing:
“The early church fathers are authoritative interpreters.”
Thread starter's perspective:
As time progressed, the church faced challenges to its doctrine. Do you think this is designed by God to better develop the faith? Does doctrine grow?
Sign in to join the discussion
Create account or sign in1 comment
MW
1.4k
Grow in the sense of, having more clarity. Yes. But not in the sense of changing. ie teaching one thing at one point in time but later "growing" to teach something that contradicts it.
Just like our own beliefs are strengthened when we are challenged and have to research and look deeply at the scriptures, we come away more confident and our understanding of a doctrine has "grown".
But to your question, yes I think this is by God's design. I believe we will always be growing with trying to understand core doctrines. ie how the incarnation worked or many other things about God. Even in heaven we will not fully comprehend everything. That isn't to say we will believe something incorrect. (We won't be all-knowing like God) So therefore, we will STILL be exploring God's goodness for forever.
