Need resources showing Catholic Church has never changed

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Daniel Marsh:
Distinquish between core beliefs and secondary beliefs. Core Beliefs relate to who and what Jesus did. Ask him to show where the church changes in reference to what and who Jesus is. Center the dicussion on Jesus.

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This sounds very Protestant in nature (We agree on the essentials and that’s all that matters). Define core and secondary beliefs.
 
As an objective example of development, ask him when the first time the word Trinity was used, who coined that word. And, what is the first documents that the concept of Father, Son and Holy Spirit as three persons of the one God is taught. Seek out examples of clarification of doctrine that is reflected in creeds.
 
Daniel Marsh:
As an objective example of development, ask him when the first time the word Trinity was used, who coined that word. And, what is the first documents that the concept of Father, Son and Holy Spirit as three persons of the one God is taught. Seek out examples of clarification of doctrine that is reflected in creeds.
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Just out of curiosity (I know I’ve heard this somewhere), who did coin the word “Trinity”?
 
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Rejoice:
I’ve been talking with my friend about Christianity in general and Catholicism in particular and I promised him I’d try to answer several of his objections. After some research a few of his questions remain unanswered to my satisfaction.

I’m posting each question individually. This is the second one:

2.) In what ways can the Church be shown to have not changed its teachings across 2,000 years of history? (preferably from a disinterested source)

Thank you!

Brett
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When the question is asked this way, you are put in a postion to prove a negative (virtually impossible when talkign about a Church w/ as much depth and diversity as it has). The way I’d handle this subject is to affirmatively assert that the Church’s underlying doctrine/dogma is unchanged as it is based on the Truth. I’d furthermore assert that anything that is percieved as a “change” is really a deeper development of a previous understanding of the Truth. And finally, I’d put the burden on him to make his best assertion of an example that he believes it has changed in its doctrine or dogma and then deal with it.

P.S. Make sure that he doesn’t address issues of discipline or method (i.e. specifics of the liturgy or matters of sacrifice as in eating meat on Fridays) which are in the purview of the Pope or Bishops to some degree to change.
 
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Rejoice:
I’ve been talking with my friend about Christianity in general and Catholicism in particular and I promised him I’d try to answer several of his objections. After some research a few of his questions remain unanswered to my satisfaction.

I’m posting each question individually. This is the second one:

2.) In what ways can the Church be shown to have not changed its teachings across 2,000 years of history? (preferably from a disinterested source)

Thank you!

Brett
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The church is both neccesarily traditional and revolutionary at the same time. The passing of power can be traced to peter, the gospels can be trace back a ways, and many doctrines can be traced back. The day to day customs of the church change with each generation, but remain true to thier vision. The structure and general practices of the church are traditional, but it’s mission is revolutionary. The allow man to turn towards god as his happiness and to be content on earth. The revolution of turning from the desires of the world and turn to desires of heaven.
 
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JSmitty2005:
I think that we should kill formal heretics that are out preaching against the Church and its truths so as to protect the souls of many if that is the only means of silencing them. .
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Who are these people that you want to kill. Are you going to try and burn them alive as Catholics did a few hundred years ago. I heard that Catholics think that a man called Rev. Paisley in Northern Ireland is a bigot, but I didn;t hear him say the horrible things that you are saying. I thought that Jesus preached mercy and love, but aren’t Catholics like you preaching hate and killing of those heretics who disagree with you formally? Which ones are you going to kill or are you keeping it a secret so that you can terrorise them like the priest in turkey was terrorised.
I am opposed to killing of formal heretics and I agree with Cardinal Mahony and the Pope who are against the death penalty. Could it be that you are the one who is the formal heretic here and Cardinal Mahony and the great Pope John Paul II who opposed the death penalty are the orthodox Catholics.
 
A series of books that I would recommend is The Faith of the Early Fathers by William A. Jurgens. It contains excerpts from the writings of the early Church Fathers. At the end of each volume is a Doctrinal Index of Church teachings and where they are found in the Church Fathers. For example, in the entry called “Apostolic Tradition has always been acknowledged as the rule of faith”, there is a reference to St. Irenaeus who says “It is possible, then, for everyone in every Church, who may wish to know the truth, to contemplate the tradition of the Apostles which has been made known throughout the whole world.” You can use this to see how Church teaching has remained the same.
Hope this helps!
 
Maybe what I should say is you can see how Church teachings today are in agreement with the Church Fathers. Doctrine does develop.
 
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