St. Vincent of Lerins and Progress in the One Church

The progress of dogma is a way in which the ancient Catholic Church remains ever new. This other aspect of the faith, described so well by St. Vincent of Lerins ought to be quoted here too and at length. It reveals the Catholic Faith's dual nature as being ever ancient, yet ever new. By having a venue by which further unfolding of truths would come to the faithful over time, the Church can be progressive and yet not simultaneously sacrifice its ancient nature. It is fascinating to note that so prominent a saint as Vincent of Lerins ostensibly saw no contradiction in what seems to be quite a difficulty for Protestants and some Orthodox, as regards the Catholic Church in this respect. That is to say, many outside the Catholic Church have a difficulty understanding how one can hold so strongly to the ancient nature of the Church (as St. Vincent detailed in the previous post) and also believe in a genuine progress of doctrine.

In chapter 23 of the same writing we quoted in the previous post (i.e., the Commonitorium written in 434) St. Vincent gives the following reflections on progress in the Faith.

But some will say perhaps, Shall there, then, be no progress in Christ's Church? Certainly; all possible progress. For what being is there, so envious of men, so full of hatred to God who would seek to forbid it? Yet on condition that it be real progress, not alteration of the faith. For progress requires that the subject be enlarged in itself; alteration, that it be transformed into something else. The intelligence, then, the knowledge, the wisdom, as well of individuals as of all, as well of one man as of the whole Church, ought, in the course of ages and centuries, to increase and make much and vigorous progress; but yet only in its own kind; that is to say, in the same doctrine, in the same sense, and in the same meaning.

The growth of religion in the soul must be analogous to the growth of the body, which, though in process of years it is developed and attains its full size, yet remains still the same.... For example: Our forefathers in the old time sowed wheat in the Church's field. It would be most unmeet and iniquitous of we, their descendants, instead of the genuine truth of corn, should reap the counterfeit error of tares. This should rather be the result, - there should be no discrepancy between the first and the last. From doctrine which was sown as wheat, we should reap, in the increase, doctrine of the same kind - wheat also; so that when in process of time any of the original seed is developed, and now flourishes under cultivation, no change may ensue in the character of the plant. There may supervene shape, form, variation in outward appearance, but the nature of each kind must remain the same. {source: John R. Willis, S.J. The Teachings of the Church Fathers, p. 100}