Tuesday, May 21, 2019

All Things Made New — But Not Radically Different

For things to be, there appears to be a necessary dance between order and chaos. As Bob says, “In a very real sense, the seeds of order are impotent in the absence of fertile soil of chaos.” Chaos can be all noise, but without some order (the signal) there would be no creation and no creativity. And order without some chaos, the cosmos (if it even could exist) would be inert, static, and deadening.

So we have to grant that God gives some measure to both order and chaos. And little dab here and a little dab there, and you have existence, life, and mind!  

Since God is Truth (as order and chaos), we have to assume that Truth keeps revealing itself in creative ways. This revelation is continuous, yet cohering an essence that remains. The Medieval Latin phrase mutantis mutandis, means “having change what needs to be changed” or “once the necessary changes have been made.” These changes slowly disclose Truth over time revealing the fullness of it without distorting the essence of it. 

We can see this in ourselves, as we appear to gravitate to the novel on occasion while mostly settling into our common patterns. We are definitely creatures of habit, often unable to see things with fresh eyes. Michael Martin notes: “Perhaps a helpful way to combat this human (all too human) tendency is to strive to make all things new, every day. Habit, it seems, as useful as it can be is all too often a crutch that inhibits the shining we all seek.”

So while we need to remain anchored in Truth, how do we see all things new and shining without losing our proximity to It?

John Henry Newman said, “It is sometimes said that the stream is clearest nearest the spring. Whatever use may fairly be made of this image, it does not apply to the history of philosophy or sect, which, on the contrary, is more equable, and purer, and stronger, when its bed has become deep, and broad, and full.” 

Newman saw that things can develop without deviating. In his book An Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine, he came up with seven notes as guidelines for genuine development. 

First note, Preservation of Type. We maintain the form as things develop. As Newman says, “the adult animal has the same make as it had on its birth; young birds do not grow into fishes.” Ideas can't change into something they are not.

Second, Continuity of Principles. While ideas can grow, the underlying principles do not change. We may change laws without losing the principles that form them. The dignity of the person is not lost on the rules the person must obey.

Third, Power of Assimilation. Newman says, “doctrines and views which relate to [humans] are not placed in a void, but in the crowded world, and make way for themselves by interpenetration, and develop by absorption. Facts and opinions, which have hitherto been regarded in other relations and grouped round other centers, henceforth are gradually attracted to a new influence and subjected to a new sovereign.” We are always embedded in the culture of the day, therefore we can always appropriate the healthy aspects of it.

Fourth, Logical Sequence. Any development must include ideas in an orderly sequence that falls into a logical conclusion. These ideas must cohere.  

Fifth, Anticipation of Its Future. Any development of idea should be seen from a whole: from its infancy through its own development throughout time to finally what may be anticipated. We are always on the edge of something that is emerging in time, and that revelation may be foreshadowed.

Sixth, Conservative Action Upon Its Past. Ideas that have been tested throughout time and survived need to be respected since they have endured many trials and errors. Therefore, Newman saw it to be a corruption that reversed or removed that which came before.

Seventh note and lastly, Chronic Vigor. Newman believes the robust idea will pervade and endure. If it continues to inspire and exalt others, there is something to be preserved in that.

Things can shine without burning out, and be preserved without being saturated. Through energy, clarifying discourse, and refinement we can find the novel in the Truth as it inexhaustibly expresses itself to Itself! As Newman says, “There is no one aspect deep enough to exhaust the contents of a real idea.” We just need to be conscientious of what made the idea real in the first place.

(It should be noted that Newman focused maintaining the essence of Truth in novel development on exoteric doctrine, while all things can also be made new through being infused with the esoteric. Both are needed for any idea to fully come alive! Even genuine mystics are deeply centered in doctrine with a view that ensures these ideas stay fresh and avoid becoming stagnant ideologies.)