. . . the
Church, the domus Dei [house of God] is designated the columna et
firmamentum (στῦλος καὶ ἑδραίωμα) veritatis [the pillar and ground
of the truth]. This is not to deny the importance of the foundation for the
continued existence of the house or the foundation’s own firmness that
is necessary for that purpose; rather it is presupposed and is unmistakably included
in the first passage. Even in the second passage it is suggested by the fact
that the Church is described not as a θεμέλιον = fundamentum [foundation],
but rather as a pillar rising upon the foundation, and accordingly the firmamentum
[ground] too should be understood not as a firm substructure, but
rather as a firm superstructure, tower, or stronghold. In both
passages therefore the emphasis is placed on the firmness of the structure,
not of the foundation, because 1) the firmness of the first includes that of
the second, but not vice versa, since for the first, besides the firmness of
the foundation, another further influence of God is necessary and present; 2)
because the firmness of the first, as initially intended by God, carries into effect
more fully also the ultimum in executione [last in execution], God’s purpose:
the constant, complete pure realization of His truth. (Matthias Scheeben, Handbook of Catholic Dogmatics,
Book 1, Part 1 [trans. Michael J. Miler; Steubenville, Ohio: Emmaus Academic,
2019], §13 no. 183)
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