| This study aims to trace the most important moments of Cardinal Newman's religious experience at the beginning of his ministry in the Church of England. The essential sources for the research were autobiographical writings and sermons of that period. Particular attention was given to two unpublished sermons on "Romans.".;I focus on certain aspects of the doctrinal evolution taking place in the young preacher, in a period in which the great desire to seek the truth made him doubt his personal religious principles. The years 1824 to 1825, the beginning of Newman's ministry in the Church of England, are also those years of significant change in his evangelical beliefs, among which are fundamental tenets like the justification and the denial of baptismal regeneration. The first part of the thesis aims to offer a historical and doctrinal analysis of the years spent by the Preacher in Oxford. The second part is an analysis of the two sermons about the Letter to Romans.;The sermon of 1824 on the Letter to the Romans, chapter 8, verse 7, named "The Corruption of Human Nature" deals with a theme already stated in the 39 Articles of the Anglican Church. The argument is based on conscience and reason, to which Newman adds scriptural authority, to confirm that experience and reflection are the criteria of proof. He reaches the following conclusions: (a) every sin is always first and foremost an offence against God, (b) sin is a spiteful and terrible thing against Nature, (c) disobedience to the will of God is an integral part of man and an efficient principle of his action. The sermon ends by inviting faithful to meditate about the mercy of God.;On the 6th of March 1825 in the church of St. Clement in Oxford, of which Newman was curate, the young preacher, when asked what justified through faith means, answered "it simply consists in: God will pardon us and will accept us in Christ not through our personal merits but each time we turn toward Him and let ourselves go into His mercy which we will receive as our only Hope, and our only Saviour". (Abstract shortened with permission of author.). |
