=AnneTeresa;8573294]I recently found out about the Church Fathers and started just a little bit of exploration.
My first question is how are we to understand/apply the writings of the Church Fathers? Their writings explain where the church started. But are the things they said supposed to still be true today, or do they change or evolve over time? By that I mean something they said nearly 2000 years ago–are we supposed to take it as truth today? For example, they said that a person who married after divorce was never to be accepted to communion even on their deathbed.
The more I study and learn the more questions I have.
I feel the same way about the Bible. How do we know what applies today? In I Cor in talks about head covering. Yet we do not take this literally today. At the same time we DO take literally “this is my body”. How do we know what is to be taken today and what is just reflective of that time period?
Finally, is it better to just forget all the study and just try to live the two great commandments? In a way, I think it is, but I am left with questions that make it hard for me to trust until I understand more.
Let’s begin with the easier of two GREAT questions you ask.
One ought to endeavor to KNOW ones faith in order to 1. Practice it fully and faithfully. 2. Share it with others as God presents the opportunities to do so. 3 defend it when necessary with facts and charity. So PLEASE continue to learn what we believe and why. [MAY I SUGGEST YOU CHECK OUT MY BLOG WHERE I HAVE POSTED ABOUT 60 CATHOLIC TREACHING DOCUMENTS]
The bible can ONLY be understood in conformity with what the CC teaches. Jesus gave the keys to the Kingdom to ONLY Peter and through him; the RCC. [Mt. 16:18-19; Mt.28:19-20; John 20:19-23].
Psalms 127:1 “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.”
Acts.20: 28 “Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God which he obtained with the blood of his own Son.”
Romans 13: 2 “Therefore he who resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.”
Romans 9:13 “ As it is written: "See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to … “
Eph.3: 9 to 12 “And to make all men see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; that through the church [SINGULAR: meaning THE CATHOLIC Church] the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose which he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and confidence of access through our faith in him
2nd. Peter 1: 16-21 “we heard this voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. And we have the prophetic word made more sure. You will do well to pay attention to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by the impulse of man, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.”
Matt.13:9-12 “He who has ears, let him hear." Then the disciples came and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” And he answered them, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.” For to him who has will more be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away. “
God consistently and always required belief in only One God, ONLY One set of faith beliefs, and only one Church. Today’s Catholic Church. So if you read a passage you don’t understand, check it against CC teachings. It MUST conform to be correct.
The role of the Early fathers can be tricky. Some of what is written is in the form of ongoing debates; not yet doctrine or dogma, so care is to be taken. Also because a “Father” said “so and so” does not automatically make it thee TRUTH. Test everything as Paul suggest as prudent.
1st. Thess. 5: 19-21 “Do not quench the Spirit, do not despise prophesying, but test everything; hold fast what is good.” The common sense test here is if it sounds wrong it likely is. Check it out.
Here are some sites you may wish to make icons for easier access:
A Catholic Bible with search:
www.umich.edu/r/rsv
http://haydock1859.tripod.com/ A Catholic Bible Commentary
The Catechism of the CC with search
http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm
And A Catholic Encyclopedia
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/a.htm
And a Catholic Dictionary
Dictionary of Terms - A
PLEASE send me a Private message with any questions,
God Bless you,
Pat
