Thank you for the quote from Justine Martyr. I have copied it over to my cheat sheet for future reference. I do believe the Spirit guides us to revelations as we are ready to receive them. Or, at least, when some are ready; many die clinging to old understandings. But truth slowly seeps in and future generations have an easier time accepting the new that has been revealed.

You raised this same point in a comment a day or two ago on the tribute to John Noonan by Charles Curran.  You asked if doctrine could change and must it change on new evidence. I responded, taking one particular point I thought worth exploring - how our talking of God as a male has influenced how we see God, our culture and the way the church treats men and women. I am sorry for the ugliness that developed in a comment string you started. It was not my intention.  

I can't promise it won't happen again, however. You ask good questions, open doors to explore ideas - it is hard to refuse to step through.  God Bless.