Doctrinal Development or Doctrinal Deviation?

Do Roman Catholic doctrines like purgatory, indulgences, or papal supremacy reflect the organic development of early Christian teaching—or are they later additions with no real roots in Scripture? In this episode of Wade in the Balance, Jonathan Brooks critically engages Joe Heschmeyer’s ranking of arguments against Catholicism, exploring what counts as legitimate doctrinal growth and what veers into theological invention. From the Chalcedonian box to Ephraim the Syrian, from Nestorianism to the office of the pope, we dig deep into church history, biblical authority, and how we distinguish between faithful continuity and dangerous departure.

If you've ever wondered whether “doctrinal development” is just a nice name for doctrinal drift, this conversation is for you.