Early Church Father's supporting the Catholic Church

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I’ve heard a lot of people say, especially from this forum, that the Early Church Father’s were clearly Roman Catholic as their writings and such were parallel with Church doctrine. Does anyone know a site where I can read some of their writings/quotes? Or if someone could post them here that would be really cool. One more thing, what is the Didache and how does it come in in this question?

In case anyone’s wondering, I’m not doubting this claim, in fact, I have read quite a number of quotes myself from CAF but I know I’m only scratching the tip of the Iceberg. Thanks in advance.
 
Poof said:
I’ve heard a lot of people say, especially from this forum, that the Early Church Father’s were clearly Roman Catholic as their writings and such were parallel with Church doctrine. Does anyone know a site where I can read some of their writings/quotes? Or if someone could post them here that would be really cool. One more thing, what is the Didache and how does it come in in this question?

In case anyone’s wondering, I’m not doubting this claim, in fact, I have read quite a number of quotes myself from CAF but I know I’m only scratching the tip of the Iceberg. Thanks in advance.
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You might consider picking up “The Fathers Know Best” by Jimmy Akin. He goes through and highlights different aspects of Catholic doctrine and then provides quotes from various Church Fathers on the subject. I found it helpful. Hopefully you will also.

Peace,
 
Yes, Jimmy Akin’s book, and there is another - The Four Witnesses, by Rod Bennett that is a good starting point. It’s very readable. The Faith of the Early Fathers, by Jurgens, is well-known, though in multi-volumes. You said you did read the many resources here on catholic.com? I encourage you to read them; the early fathers and the question of authority are the reasons I hear convert after convert after convert give for coming into the church.
The Didache is sort of an early catechism, perhaps written as early as AD 70.
 
I’ll check out the reviews on amazon on the two books reccomended so far, thanks!

@bz5 I’ll be sure to watch that explanation later in the afternoon as I’ll be going out soon…
 
Poof said:
I’ve heard a lot of people say, especially from this forum, that the Early Church Father’s were clearly Roman Catholic as their writings and such were parallel with Church doctrine. Does anyone know a site where I can read some of their writings/quotes? Or if someone could post them here that would be really cool. One more thing, what is the Didache and how does it come in in this question?

In case anyone’s wondering, I’m not doubting this claim, in fact, I have read quite a number of quotes myself from CAF but I know I’m only scratching the tip of the Iceberg. Thanks in advance.
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Interesting topic. I just found this quote, that articulates the size of the iceberg
A lot can be written by hundreds of men over 700 years time. St. Augustine alone wrote over 4 million words. One medieval monk quipped: “he who says he has read all of Augustine . . . lies!”
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The Didache was rediscovered at the end of the 19th century, and dates from about 125AD. It appears to be a combination of two earlier documents
  • a moral catechism
  • a liturgical manual
Interesting for Catholics, the Didache equates abortion with murder and affirms baptism by pouring of water over the head as well as by immersion.
 
Tony, I am praying for you because you come across as being shown Catholic texts by Mormon sources, and drawing on your earlier Catholic upbringing.

I pray for your return…
 
if you have a kindle, you can even get a copy of the Didache for it for $1. Highly recommended and important for Church history.

Saint Ignatius of Antioch, an early church martyr,: also responsible for the first known use of the Greek word katholikos (καθολικός), meaning “universal”, “complete” and “whole” to describe the church. Also called the Eucharist “medicine of immortality” (Ignatius to the Ephesians 20:2).

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ignatius_of_Antioch

I am still planning to get Jimmy Akin’s book. 🙂
 
Yes, Tony, we may seem argumentative sometimes, but I’m pretty sure I speak for a lot when I say it breaks my heart that you’ve left Jesus’ church, 2,000 continuous, visible years of it, you’ve left the Eucharist! I like to listen to door-to-door missionaries of whatever stripe, and when I ask them to tell me why they converted, it’s always a version of “Well, my life was a mess, and these people are wonderful.” Not because the Way, the Truth, and the Life is elsewhere.
 
jediliz said:
if you have a kindle, you can even get a copy of the Didache for it for $1. Highly recommended and important for Church history.

Saint Ignatius of Antioch, an early church martyr,: also responsible for the first known use of the Greek word katholikos (καθολικός), meaning “universal”, “complete” and “whole” to describe the church. Also called the Eucharist “medicine of immortality” (Ignatius to the Ephesians 20:2).

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ignatius_of_Antioch
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Poof said:
I’ve heard a lot of people say, especially from this forum, that the Early Church Father’s were clearly Roman Catholic
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Mentioning the Didache and St Ignatius of Antioch makes me wonder if all the Early Fathers were Roman Catholic. I know that they were Catholic, but they were in the East, right? That would make them part of the Eastern Catholic Church, all of which are in communion with Rome.

St Ignatius of Antioch was the Patriach of Antioch, and Antioch was one of the four Eastern Catholic Churches: Antioch, Jerusalem, Constantinople, Alexandria. The fifth Catholic Church (in no order btw) is the only western one, Rome.

Can someone offer correction or clarification of this for me?
 
Paul of Tarsus, Polycarp of Smyrna, Ireneaus taught from Lyons, France, St. Justin the Martyr who was born on the West Bank in Nablus, …reflect the expansion of Christianity out into that part of the world.

Apostolic successors and teachers are those who have faith that spread out.
 
I_Thirst said:
Mentioning the Didache and St Ignatius of Antioch makes me wonder if all the Early Fathers were Roman Catholic. I know that they were Catholic, but they were in the East, right? That would make them part of the Eastern Catholic Church, all of which are in communion with Rome.

St Ignatius of Antioch was the Patriach of Antioch, and Antioch was one of the four Eastern Catholic Churches: Antioch, Jerusalem, Constantinople, Alexandria. The fifth Catholic Church (in no order btw) is the only western one, Rome.

Can someone offer correction or clarification of this for me?
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I think stating that the Early Fathers are “Roman” Catholic in their thinking is misleading at best. I would suggest it is a more accurate statement to say that they are Catholic (sans modifier) in their thinking. Furthermore, I believe it would be fair to suggest that some of the Fathers have influenced the thinking and spirituality of the Latin rite to a greater extent and some have influenced the Eastern Rite to a greater extent. However, neither is more Catholic than the other.

Peace,
 
jwinch2 said:
I think stating that the Early Fathers are “Roman” Catholic in their thinking is misleading at best. I would suggest it is a more accurate statement to say that they are Catholic (sans modifier) in their thinking. Furthermore, I believe it would be fair to suggest that some of the Fathers have influenced the thinking and spirituality of the Latin rite to a greater extent and some have influenced the Eastern Rite to a greater extent. However, neither is more Catholic than the other.

Peace,
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Thanks, Jason!
 
I_Thirst said:
Thanks, Jason!
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No problem. To me, its merely part of the amazing beauty of the Catholic Church that we can have all these approaches to spiritual matters, different traditions and teachings, and still believe in the same faith and worship the same God.

I am a Roman Catholic, but I will readily admit that there is much to admire and learn from in the Eastern Church. I am eagerly awaiting the release of the UGCC Catechism in English. I am looking forward to learning more about the Eastern approach to things such as Marian devotion, etc.

I’m not switching rites or anything, but I have no qualms about borrowing something from them if I feel it can help my spiritual life.

Peace,
 
jwinch2 said:
No problem. To me, its merely part of the amazing beauty of the Catholic Church that we can have all these approaches to spiritual matters, different traditions and teachings, and still believe in the same faith and worship the same God.

I am a Roman Catholic, but I will readily admit that there is much to admire and learn from in the Eastern Church. I am eagerly awaiting the release of the UGCC Catechism in English. I am looking forward to learning more about the Eastern approach to things such as Marian devotion, etc.

I’m not switching rites or anything, but I have no qualms about borrowing something from them if I feel it can help my spiritual life.

Peace,
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I’ve been attending a UGCC for the past couple of months and I’m loving it. Also interested in the UGCC Catechism.

btw, I see that you are in FW. I’m in Plano, and I attend St Sophia UGCC. What is Eastern Catholic Church is near you?
 
I_Thirst said:
I’ve been attending a UGCC for the past couple of months and I’m loving it. Also interested in the UGCC Catechism.
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Are you canonically Latin? If so, why the switch or potential switch? I have not been to a divine liturgy, though I would love to go. I have watched a few videos of them and I can’t see myself enjoying it, but it is certainly not the same as being there.

Peace,
 
jwinch2 said:
Are you canonically Latin? If so, why the switch or potential switch? I have not been to a divine liturgy, though I would love to go. I have watched a few videos of them and I can’t see myself enjoying it, but it is certainly not the same as being there.

Peace,
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Canonically Latin (and a convert). Too early in the game to switch rites or even consider doing something like that. So far I prefer worshipping in the Byzantine Rite on Sundays and I’m drawn to the spirituality (Jesus Prayer), but I still attend Daily Mass in my local RC (but not so much Sundays).
 
Poof said:
I’ve heard a lot of people say, especially from this forum, that the Early Church Father’s were clearly Roman Catholic as their writings and such were parallel with Church doctrine. Does anyone know a site where I can read some of their writings/quotes? Or if someone could post them here that would be really cool. One more thing, what is the Didache and how does it come in in this question?

In case anyone’s wondering, I’m not doubting this claim, in fact, I have read quite a number of quotes myself from CAF but I know I’m only scratching the tip of the Iceberg. Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
It would seem to me that Early Church Fathers supported the Church since the East-West Schism didn’t occur until 1054AD.
 
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