Chapter 10: John Henry Newman
Anglican Theologian Who Swam the Tiber
For Newman, religion is about dogma—doctrines that must be believed.
A Young Evangelical and Then Liberal.
The Conversion That Shook England. He decide to read the church fathers (all 200 volumes) and that began his long journey to Catholicism. His conversion was a huge scandal in England.
Reason and Faith, Preaching, and Problems in the Church. All reasoning is based on first principles that cannot be proved and therefore involves an element of faith. He was a great preacher, focusing on holiness. He had comforting words about church issues.
The Development of Doctrine. Newman’s most influential and controversial work was the develop meant of doctrine over time. He had 7 criteria for faithful development. <I wonder how the early Covenanters dealt with this.>
The Disciplina Arcani. This is the idea that sacred things need to be kept secret until the right time. <Huh.>
Universal Revelation. Newman taught that God reveals himself in ways outside of Christian via philosophy, nature, the arts, and other religions.
What Can We Learn?
- God’s Spirit has been guiding the church in its understanding.
- There is something to be said for discipline arcani.
- The Scientific method can not answer every question and even science is based on principles taken on faith.
- We need to focus on Christ, not on our salvation.
- Preachers need to call us to holiness.