Rev.,
In order to understand the ancient world, we have to step out of our comfort zones and
walk in their shoes.
Many times that means accepting things our age rejects. Other times we can see how fragile our āmodernā society is. Without our gagets and toys, we are no different than they were. Even in parts of the world today family structure is the bedrock of the culture. Things like covenants still exist in what we so arrogantly call the āthird worldā. African and native American tribes had no written language, yet they were steeped in the history of thier culture far more than our so-called āenlightenedā society.
I say all this because I suspect you are looking at these ancient people, as I did, through 21st century western eyes. That is a grave error.
Because we are far from being superior.
Was the Church organized in the 1st century? A simple reading of the works of the ECF reveals they indeed were. It was embryonic, yet that culture and time demanded organization. Thatās the way the ancient world was.
Not everything was āon paperā. It was timely and sometimes expensive to do that.
It was a society far more steeped in
oral tradition, and that included pagan societies as well.
They had great auditory skills in those days. Communication was by listening. Even when something was put on paper. it was read ALOUD. Reading to oneself was unknown. That did not mean they were unintelligent. Literacy and intelligence are not the same.
Was the early Church caotic? Not at all.
Hierarchy was a way of life. in fact it was expected.