Includes bibliographies and index.

Foreword by Gustave Weigel, S.J.--Part I. Doctrinal Developments Viewed In Themselves.--Introduction-Chapter I. The Development of Ideas-Section 1. The Process of Development in Ideas-Section 2: The Kinds of Development in Ideas--Chapter II.The Antecedent Argument in Behalf of Developments in Christian Doctrine-Section 1. Developments of Doctrine to Be Expected-Section 2. An Infallible Developing Authority to Be Expected-Section 3. The Existing Developments of Doctrine the Probable Fulfilment of That Expectation--Chapter III. The Historical Argument in Behalf of the Existing Developments-Section 1. Method of Proof-Section 2. State of the Evidence--Chapter IV. Instances in Illustration-Section 1. Instances Cursorily Noticed-1. Canon of the New Testament-2. Original Sin-3. Infant Baptism-4. Communion in One Kind-5. The Homoousion-Section 2. Our Lord's Incarnation and the Dignity of His Blessed Mother and all Saints-Section 3. The Papal supremacy--Part II. Doctrinal Developments Viewed Relatively To Doctrinal Corruptions--Chapter V. Genuine Developments Contrasted with Corruptions-Section 1. First Note of a Genuine Development of an Idea: Preservation of Its Type-Section 2. Second Note: Continuity of Its Principles-Section 3. Third Note: Its Power of Assimilation-Section 4. Fourth Note: Its Logical Sequence-Section 5. Fifth Note: Anticipation of Its Future-Section 6. Sixth Note: Conservative Action upon Its Past-Section 7. Seventh Note: Its Chronic Vigour-Chapter VI. Application of the First Note of a True Development to the Existing Developments of Christian Doctrine: Preservation of Its Type-Section1. The Church of the First Centuries-Section 2. The Church of the Fourth Century-Section 3. The Church of the Fifth and Sixth Centuries-Chapter VII-Application of the Second: Continuity of Its Principals-1.The Principals of Christianity-2. Supremacy of Faith-3.Theology-4.Scripture and Its Mystical Interpretation-5. Dogma-6.Additional Remarks-Chapter VIII-Application of the Third: Its Assimilative Power-1. The Assimilating Power of Dogmatic Truth-The Assimilating Power of Sacramental Grace-Chapter IX-Application of the Fourth: Its Logical Sequence-1.Pardons-2.Penances-3.Satisfactions-4.Purgatory-5. Meritorious Works-6.The Monastic Rule-Chapter X.-Application of the Fifth: Anticipation of Its Future-1.Resurrection and Relics-2.The Virgin Life-3.Cultus of Saints and Angels-4.Office of the Blessed Virgin-Chapter XI. Application of the Sixth: Conservative Action on Its Past-Section 1. Various Instances-2.Devotion to the Blessed Virgin-Chapter XII.-Application of the Seventh: Its Chronic Vigour-Conclusion-Index.

An Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine is one of the significant works of John Henry Newman, probably the greatest religious thinker of modern times. The concept of the development of religious doctrine is one of tremendous importance, and fascinated Newman, who devoted many years to its study. The rich fruit of his meditation and study is this Essay, which provides a liberal education in Christian history and theology on a vast panoramic scale extending across the centuries. Newman begins the Essay with a definition of development, pointing out that the real problem is how to distinguish true developments from corruptions and decays. From this starting point, he goes on to a sweeping consideration of the growth and development of doctrine in the Catholic Church, from the time of the Apostles down to his era. He shows that the basic "rule" under which Christianity proceeded through the centuries is to be found in the principle of development, and emphasizes that throughout the entire life of the Church this law of development has been in effect and safeguards the faith from any real corruption. He concludes by saying that in the Catholic Church "Doctrine is where it was, and usage, and precedence; and principle and policy; there may be changes, but they are consolidations or adaptations; all is unequivocal and determinate, with and identity which there is no disputing". The day after he had finished the Essay, Newman's tortured search was an end. On October 9, 1845, he entered the Catholic Church.--Backcover.