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Objection 1: It would seem that it is not lawful to have various
contrary opinions of the notions. For Augustine says (De Trin.
i, 3): "No error is more dangerous than any as regards the
Trinity": to which mystery the notions assuredly belong. But
contrary opinions must be in some way erroneous. Therefore it is not
right to have contrary opinions of the notions.
Objection 2: Further, the persons are known by the notions. But
no contrary opinion concerning the persons is to be tolerated.
Therefore neither can there be about the notions.
On the contrary, The notions are not articles of faith. Therefore
different opinions of the notions are permissible.
I answer that, Anything is of faith in two ways; directly, where
any truth comes to us principally as divinely taught, as the trinity
and unity of God, the Incarnation of the Son, and the like; and
concerning these truths a false opinion of itself involves heresy,
especially if it be held obstinately. A thing is of faith,
indirectly, if the denial of it involves as a consequence something
against faith; as for instance if anyone said that Samuel was not the
son of Elcana, for it follows that the divine Scripture would be
false. Concerning such things anyone may have a false opinion without
danger of heresy, before the matter has been considered or settled as
involving consequences against faith, and particularly if no obstinacy
be shown; whereas when it is manifest, and especially if the Church
has decided that consequences follow against faith, then the error
cannot be free from heresy. For this reason many things are now
considered as heretical which were formerly not so considered, as their
consequences are now more manifest.
So we must decide that anyone may entertain contrary opinions about the
notions, if he does not mean to uphold anything at variance with
faith. If, however, anyone should entertain a false opinion of the
notions, knowing or thinking that consequences against the faith would
follow, he would lapse into heresy.
By what has been said all the objections may be solved.
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