Anti-Church Fathers?

[HistoryTeacher]

I know the writings of Ignatius, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Augustine and so on really prove that the Catholic Faith was around since the Apostolic times, but are there other writers who’s writings go against Catholic teachings? **Are there ancient writers who’s writings speak against the Real Presence in the Eucharist? **Are the writings we accept as the “Church Fathers” approved by the Holy See and that is why we accept them or are they the ONLY writings available from the time? If they are the only writings we have then it seems to prove that we are the ONLY church which can trace itself back that far, but if there are others then maybe I’ve only heard one side of the story. I know there’s writings like Gospel of Thomas and Gnostic writings, but I’m looking for Church leaders or theologens that were accepted but were later squelched by the truth of the Catholic church.

Brandon

 

[space_ghost]

HistoryTeacher:

I know the writings of Ignatius, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Augustine and so on really prove that the Catholic Faith was around since the Apostolic times, but are there other writers who’s writings go against Catholic teachings? **Are there ancient writers who’s writings speak against the Real Presence in the Eucharist? **Are the writings we accept as the “Church Fathers” approved by the Holy See and that is why we accept them or are they the ONLY writings available from the time? If they are the only writings we have then it seems to prove that we are the ONLY church which can trace itself back that far, but if there are others then maybe I’ve only heard one side of the story. I know there’s writings like Gospel of Thomas and Gnostic writings, but I’m looking for Church leaders or theologens that were accepted but were later squelched by the truth of the Catholic church.

Lots and lots of Heritics out there… i suggest Google…

Brandon

 

[Scott_Lafrance]

The two most famous early Christian writers are Tertullian and Origen. Go to www.newadvent.com and look them up.

HistoryTeacher:

I know the writings of Ignatius, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Augustine and so on really prove that the Catholic Faith was around since the Apostolic times, but are there other writers who’s writings go against Catholic teachings? **Are there ancient writers who’s writings speak against the Real Presence in the Eucharist? **Are the writings we accept as the “Church Fathers” approved by the Holy See and that is why we accept them or are they the ONLY writings available from the time? If they are the only writings we have then it seems to prove that we are the ONLY church which can trace itself back that far, but if there are others then maybe I’ve only heard one side of the story. I know there’s writings like Gospel of Thomas and Gnostic writings, but I’m looking for Church leaders or theologens that were accepted but were later squelched by the truth of the Catholic church.

Brandon

 

[twf]

There were always heretics…even in St. Paul’s day. So yes, there were people who disagreed. The point is that they had removed themselves from the Catholic Church. The successors of the Apostles (the bishops) defended the Faith against various heresies. See Irenaeus’ “Against Heresies” for example. (I haven’t read this one yet…but I will!).

There are a couple of important points to consider:

1. These various heresies are not the same as modern Protestant groups. Often (or almost always?) their heresies were more extreme than modern Protestants. (Such as regarding the nature of God).
2. ALL of these heresies died out, yet the Catholic Church remained.
   (The Oriental Orthodox Churches and the Assyrian Church, both of which broke off from the Church in the 5th century, of the East were considered heretics, but we have signed a common declaration on christology…that is on the nature of Christ…with them since, and they are more schismatic than heretical).