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Wednesday, October 06, 2004
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Newman's Essay, Part IX: Application of the Fourth Note of a True Development: Logical Sequence
The fourth note, logical sequence, is exemplified when one doctrine, if it is accepted sincerely, necessarily leads to the acceptance of another doctrine, as if it were its necessary conclusion. One illustration of this note occurs in the instance of baptismal regeneration, and the instance of sins which occur subsequent to it. We shall see, then, how this principle works in practice, with many subsequent doctrines emerging logically and sequentially from one original dogma.
Since the early Church understood baptism to be for the forgiveness of sins antecedent to it, the question then arose as to the forgiveness of sins subsequent. Though the possibility of post-baptismal pardon was at first debated, soon a system of such post-baptismal pardons arose throughout the Christian churches. The Church thus found it necessary to assign appropriate penances to the pardoned, as a disciplinary measure; the Church had the authority to shorter or alter these penances, at the discretion of the bishop. When the question arose whether the penances were merely signs of contrition or actually necessary to satisfy the demands of a just God, it was settled quickly in favor of the latter, i.e. satisfaction. But now a new question arose, as to what would happen to the penances which were demanded by God for sins, yet shortened or mitigated by the Church. Or, as to the fate of men who have genuine faith and good hearts, and yet have committed great crimes, or in a state of recent sins; or of those who have lived lukewarm lives. A consensus was then found among the Fathers that such purging would be accomplished in the next life, in the place of purgation, or purgatory. The sobering spectre of such eschatological punishment, then, was sufficient to excite any Christian to a holy and sinless life, and an army of Christian men arose who seek to perform meritorious works. And thus the greatest form of voluntary penance arose - the monastic rules. For when the standards of pardons were relaxed and sinners were indulged, this led to the decisions of many men and women to undertake extreme lives of discipline, prayer, and uncompromising holiness, rejecting the ways of the world. And all these, again, develop logically and sequentially from the doctrine of the forgiveness of sins in baptism.
# posted by Jamie : 11:58 AM
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