Catholic History

[herbalt]

Hello again,

I was wondering what Cathoics say to the historical critic who says, “Ofcourse it looks like the Church was always Catholic history is written by the winners”. I have heard some say that it is hard to make theology out of history becuase history is not cut and dry. Although, they could not make a case for why then they still believe in Jesus outside of a “personal expereince”. Nevertheless, how does the Catholic Church maintain historical integrity when there are a lot of writtings that have been shunned by the Church that have not been able to be gazed upon historical enquirers.

Thanks

 

[NotWorthy]

All the archaeological evidence that has surfaced has supported Catholic Doctrine.

The Didache was not discovered until recently (last 100-150 years). The Dead Sea Scrolls were not discovered until what, the 1950’s? Infant Baptisms have been discovered to have occurred in the 1st century only within the last 100 years. 1st and 2nd century Greek Baptismal Fonts that measured no more than 15-18 inches prove that Baptismal sprinkling was not uncommon.

I’d say that archaeological evidence would have unveiled false historical “re-engineering” by the Catholic Church, but none has surfaced whatsoever.

 

[herbalt]

All the archaeological evidence that has surfaced has supported Catholic Doctrine.

The Didache was not discovered until recently (last 100-150 years). The Dead Sea Scrolls were not discovered until what, the 1950’s? Infant Baptisms have been discovered to have occurred in the 1st century only within the last 100 years. 1st and 2nd century Greek Baptismal Fonts that measured no more than 15-18 inches prove that Baptismal sprinkling was not uncommon.

I’d say that archaeological evidence would have unveiled false historical “re-engineering” by the Catholic Church, but none has surfaced whatsoever.

Good points. In other words, the burden of proof is on them to show that there has been some “re-engineering”.

Where can I find the info on the Greek Baptismal Fonts?

 

[Rolltide]

Nevertheless, how does the Catholic Church maintain historical integrity when there are a lot of writtings that have been shunned by the Church that have not been able to be gazed upon historical enquirers.

Here ya go… all of the writings shunned by the church in one place ready for your historical analysis. The vast majority of these documents still exist. Only a few are missing, and even those, we know the basics about their content. It is a complete fallacy that historians have never had access to these documents. By the way, I’m an assistant professor of history at a private college in the South, if that lends any credibility…

earlychristianwritings.com

Edit: I just realized that this link is not currently working. I’ll see if I can find another link to the same texts.

 

[NotWorthy]

Good points. In other words, the burden of proof is on them to show that there has been some “re-engineering”.

Where can I find the info on the Greek Baptismal Fonts?

I’ll see what I can find. As you can see from my signature, I’m rather limited right now.

 

[Contarini]

Hello again,

I was wondering what Cathoics say to the historical critic who says, “Ofcourse it looks like the Church was always Catholic history is written by the winners”. I have heard some say that it is hard to make theology out of history becuase history is not cut and dry. Although, they could not make a case for why then they still believe in Jesus outside of a “personal expereince”. Nevertheless, how does the Catholic Church maintain historical integrity when there are a lot of writtings that have been shunned by the Church that have not been able to be gazed upon historical enquirers.

Read serious scholarship written by people of all religious persuasions and none. There’s a good deal on which historians agree. History does not (pace the misuse of Newman common on these boards) force us to one conclusion, but it does make some conclusions pretty difficult to sustain (I would agree with Newman that the kind of Protestantism Newman knew in early-19th-century England is pretty hard to maintain in the face of deep immersion in history).

Edwin