2/5
We know now, largely as the result of modern scriptural studies, that we humans add one hell of a lot of ourselves when we attempt to give written expression to the guidance of the Spirit. For instance, we once took scripture rather literally, and now we happily distinguish the theology of each of the OT prophets, and of each of the evangelists, etc.—multiple theologies in the same bible all inspired by the same Spirit. And in the Christian era, we have to distinguish official episcopal teaching from the teaching of theologians and the beliefs of the people. V2 definition of the “Church” as the all of the holy people of God helps a great deal in this regard.

In my view, we should be extremely cautious of simply throwing out the past to replace it with what suits us, without first striving to understand the past in the best possible light. And yet intellectual progress of all sorts, including theology, almost always depends on finding fault, often serious fault, with the past.