Why does Theology Change?

[hobie]

Here is the change with Martin Luther...
"As Luther approached the city, he was overcome with emotion and fell to his knees calling out “Holy Rome, I salute thee.” As Luther entered the gates of Rome, he was bitterly disappointed. He had believed Rome to be the very epitome of purity, but in reality, Rome was a cesspool. A swamp that teemed with every kind of vice imaginable the likes of which he had never seen. Luther struggled to make sense of what he encountered, writing “No one can imagine what sins and infamous actions are committed in Rome; they must be seen and heard to be believed. Thus they are in the habit of saying, ‘If there is a hell, Rome is built over it: it is an abyss whence issues every kind of sin.’

Preoccupied with these thoughts, Luther made use of an indulgence the Pope had issued to anyone that ascended “Pilate’s Staircase” on their knees. While ascending the staircase, Luther heard a voice saying to him for the third time “The just shall live by faith”. Luther jumped to his feet and left the scene feeling ashamed and afraid – the verse seared on his soul. This was a turning point for Luther and one that would alter the course of his entire life." https://whatthebiblesaysabout.com/martin-luther-just-shall-live-faith/

This question comes from something I read that said basically that God's truth never changes but our understanding of it grows, thus our Theology changes as we build a 'better comprehension"..........

What are your thoughts on this?

 

[Albion]

Here is the change with Martin Luther...
"As Luther approached the city, he was overcome with emotion and fell to his knees calling out “Holy Rome, I salute thee.” As Luther entered the gates of Rome, he was bitterly disappointed. He had believed Rome to be the very epitome of purity, but in reality, Rome was a cesspool. A swamp that teemed with every kind of vice imaginable the likes of which he had never seen. Luther struggled to make sense of what he encountered, writing “No one can imagine what sins and infamous actions are committed in Rome; they must be seen and heard to be believed. Thus they are in the habit of saying, ‘If there is a hell, Rome is built over it: it is an abyss whence issues every kind of sin.’

Preoccupied with these thoughts, Luther made use of an indulgence the Pope had issued to anyone that ascended “Pilate’s Staircase” on their knees. While ascending the staircase, Luther heard a voice saying to him for the third time “The just shall live by faith”. Luther jumped to his feet and left the scene feeling ashamed and afraid – the verse seared on his soul. This was a turning point for Luther and one that would alter the course of his entire life." https://whatthebiblesaysabout.com/martin-luther-just-shall-live-faith/

This question comes from something I read that said basically that God's truth never changes but our understanding of it grows, thus our Theology changes as we build a 'better comprehension"..........

What are your thoughts on this?

Luther was a dedicated Catholic but discovered the unseemly underbody of the Medieval Church of his day. That led him to a greater appreciation of the Scriptures and the standards of the Early Church.

Basically, Luther went against corrupt practices and recent doctrinal innovations. He didn't "change" essential, traditional, Christian belief and practice so much as he criticized the institutional Church of his day for having done that herself.