S
Subrosa
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“Roman” Catholic Church refers to the Church in Rome, the very same one Paul addressed in his Letter to the Romans.
Virtually all other apostolically established churches consider themselves “catholic.”
Here is an example…nestorian.org/
The question revolves around the word “catholic.” While the Roman Church has adopted its use as a name after the schism of 1054, it previously refered to all apostolically established churches many of which still use the word in it’s original context.
This can be seen in the phrase of the Nicene creed, “One, Holy, Apostolic and Catholic Church,” which refered to all pre-schism churches as a whole, including (I believe) the monophysite churches. This is noted by the fact that the creed was written at a time when there were no schisms.
But as far as the Church in Rome is concerned, it’s official name is The Catholic Church, without the “Roman”.
So, let’s look at the word “catholic.” It is a compound word made up of two Greek words: Kata (throughout) and Holos (all). These words appear together in the Bible at Acts 9:31 (blueletterbible.org/cgi-bin/c.pl?book=Act&chapter=9&verse=31&version=KJV#31).
The bible references the churches “throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria” which refers primarily to these particular churches. Noteworthy here is that Rome is not included in the list. However, Rome is addressed as a church by Paul in his Letter to the Romans, so there is an association.
The first written use of the word “Catholic” is by Ignatius, a bishop of Antioch and disciple of John, in his Letter to the Smyrnaeans (newadvent.org/fathers/0109.htm). The letter was written ca. 109ad.
Here is the phrase that he uses. Quote, “wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church.” (Chap. 8)
We see Ignatius associating the word “catholic” with Christ, paraphrasing in reverse Jesus’ words “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
(Mt 18:20)
The word “catholic” here refers to everyone in association with Christ as indicated through the paraphrase. Add the fact that Ignatius was Antiochan and not Roman and we can see that the word goes beyond Rome. More evident is that the letter was addressed to the Smyrnaeans, not the Romans, and this church is now included in the definition.
Ignatius does also write a letter to the Romans (newadvent.org/fathers/0107.htm) addressing them as a church.
But the word continues it’s meaning beyond just location. If we inspect the apostolic, i.e. “Catholic” churches, we see many similarities: Bishops; a valid Eucharist; the priesthood & deacons; apostolic succession; similar sacraments; use of christian art; liturgies; et al.
Add to this the many admonishions of the New Testament letters to “beware of false teachers” and something else emerges. In fact, if we add the seven letters of Ignatius which carry many admonishions, it simply adds to the point.
The point of the admonishions is to maintain the same faith among all churches. Repeatedly the churches addressed in the letters are told to maintain the faith that was taught to them by Paul and the other Apostles and reject those who do not teach the same gospel.
Virtually all the churches addressed in the letters are included in the list I previously cited in Acts 9:31. And they ALL practice the same faith.
So, beyond “location,” the meaning of the word “catholic” includes the same faith as established by the the Apostles.
Isn’t this pointedly denied by the post-reformation churches?
Subrosa
Virtually all other apostolically established churches consider themselves “catholic.”
Here is an example…nestorian.org/
The question revolves around the word “catholic.” While the Roman Church has adopted its use as a name after the schism of 1054, it previously refered to all apostolically established churches many of which still use the word in it’s original context.
This can be seen in the phrase of the Nicene creed, “One, Holy, Apostolic and Catholic Church,” which refered to all pre-schism churches as a whole, including (I believe) the monophysite churches. This is noted by the fact that the creed was written at a time when there were no schisms.
But as far as the Church in Rome is concerned, it’s official name is The Catholic Church, without the “Roman”.
So, let’s look at the word “catholic.” It is a compound word made up of two Greek words: Kata (throughout) and Holos (all). These words appear together in the Bible at Acts 9:31 (blueletterbible.org/cgi-bin/c.pl?book=Act&chapter=9&verse=31&version=KJV#31).
The bible references the churches “throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria” which refers primarily to these particular churches. Noteworthy here is that Rome is not included in the list. However, Rome is addressed as a church by Paul in his Letter to the Romans, so there is an association.
The first written use of the word “Catholic” is by Ignatius, a bishop of Antioch and disciple of John, in his Letter to the Smyrnaeans (newadvent.org/fathers/0109.htm). The letter was written ca. 109ad.
Here is the phrase that he uses. Quote, “wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church.” (Chap. 8)
We see Ignatius associating the word “catholic” with Christ, paraphrasing in reverse Jesus’ words “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
(Mt 18:20)
The word “catholic” here refers to everyone in association with Christ as indicated through the paraphrase. Add the fact that Ignatius was Antiochan and not Roman and we can see that the word goes beyond Rome. More evident is that the letter was addressed to the Smyrnaeans, not the Romans, and this church is now included in the definition.
Ignatius does also write a letter to the Romans (newadvent.org/fathers/0107.htm) addressing them as a church.
But the word continues it’s meaning beyond just location. If we inspect the apostolic, i.e. “Catholic” churches, we see many similarities: Bishops; a valid Eucharist; the priesthood & deacons; apostolic succession; similar sacraments; use of christian art; liturgies; et al.
Add to this the many admonishions of the New Testament letters to “beware of false teachers” and something else emerges. In fact, if we add the seven letters of Ignatius which carry many admonishions, it simply adds to the point.
The point of the admonishions is to maintain the same faith among all churches. Repeatedly the churches addressed in the letters are told to maintain the faith that was taught to them by Paul and the other Apostles and reject those who do not teach the same gospel.
Virtually all the churches addressed in the letters are included in the list I previously cited in Acts 9:31. And they ALL practice the same faith.
So, beyond “location,” the meaning of the word “catholic” includes the same faith as established by the the Apostles.
Isn’t this pointedly denied by the post-reformation churches?
Subrosa
