Classical Calvinism and the Problem of Development

Abstract

John Henry Newman’s An Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine posed a serious challenge to Protestants with regard to how they understood the doctrinal history of the church. One robust response came from the Scottish Presbyterian theologian, William Cunningham, who subjected Newman to vigorous critique on the basis of classical Reformation notions of scriptural authority. Nevertheless, Cunningham failed to understand the seriousness of the challenge of history and others, notable the Mercersburg theologians, offered approaches that point towards a more satisfactory approach.