It’s not possible to look into Church history without referring to Catholicism! ALL Church history leads back to Catholicism.
It’s rather like purporting to write a history of Greece while ignoring Athens.
He isnt ignoring Athens, just smoke to get Athenians to show up on his blog. Cant sell ad space w/out traffic.
As a blogger, I can assure you there’s no real money in it outside of a few huge blogs.
Yes, all those names were used by the Church, including the name ekklesia catholica–the universal Church. Most often throughout history, the Catholic Church was simply referred to as “The Church,” as there was only one Christian entity that was (and is) universal and had its origins from the apostles.
The dictionary definition of “catholic” might help.
The Mystical Body, which is the Church, took its rise from the death of Christ on Calvary. By his death on the Cross he made void the Law with its decrees and fastened the handwriting of the Old Testament to the Cross, establishing the New Testament in his blood which he shed for the whole human race. “So centuries before it had been foretold; so in fact it was fulfilled.” (Hebrews 8:8 ff.) By the Incarnation itself our Lord had become Head of the whole family; but it is in virtue of his saving death that he exercises in all its fullness his Headship of the Church. It was by the victory of the Cross that he merited power and dominion over all nations. All the graces which through the centuries were to be poured out upon the Mystical Body were won for it by this supreme act of atonement. At that moment the Church, like a second Eve, a new “mother of all the living,” (Genesis 3:20) was born from the Savior’s side.
The Church began being called Catholic with a capital “C” around the late 3rd or early 4th century. The name Catholic Christian was used to distinguish the orthodox Christian Church from the Arians, and the Donatist, who both called themselves Christian.
You will have to pardon my non-Catholic ignorance…where would I find these “primary sources” from “early church fathers”?
Try this source:Catholic First: Church Fathers
I’m sure other people here may have some good book suggestions, but a good start can be made by going to Amazon.com and typing the word “Eusebius” in the search box. Also try the search term “early church fathers”
Hi, JimRyan
Tell your friend that there is much burden on his part if he digs up history books and it is time consuming. Let him browse on internet the meaning of Daniel 2: 31-45. Though there are many different interpretations of this prophecy, the following bible guide could lead him to finding the claim of the Catholics to be one and true church.You are correct that all Baptized persons are Christians.
In case you weren’t aware, Constantine wasn’t emperor in the 3rd century. If you’d learn a little history, you’d know why the orthodox Church had do distinguish itself from Arianism, and you’d also know that Constantine didn’t establish any religion by law. The Arian’s did exactly what the Protestants today do. They interpreted scripture according to their own personal interpertation. That’s how they decided that Jesus wasn’t God. Arius himself could quote scriptue to defend his position. The Council of Nicea was called specifically to deal with the issue of Arianism. By the time of the Council 325 Constantine was emperor, and since he agreed with the Catholic position, that Jesus was actually God, it’s a good thing that the version he followed was defined as the orthodox position.
Yes, I know when Constantine was in power (I was replying to the claim that Catholic was first capitalized in the 3rd OR 4th century). I HAVE “learned a little about history”, but I must assume you mean Catholic history. As far as your comparison b/w Arianism and Protestantism, the NT states very clearly that there will be false teachers/teachings. Combating this has been an ongoing process from the beginning (Paul was very good at pointing this out). Thanks to Luther (or not), this came to a head at a very bad time in Catholic history and this huge line was drawn in the sand, but “reformers” were always present…always seeking the gospel (as Paul talked about sooooo many times).