the Church Fathers and Protestants

[Gilbert_Keith]

rr1213

Any counter-citation by a Protestant is generally dismissed as simply a case where the ECF quoted is not authorative on that particular subject. Double standard?

Still looking for a Protestant citiation of an Early Father that contradicts, or at least calls into question, the statements by Justin Martyr concerning the True Presence.

Lacking any such citation, and in view of the fact that there apparently never was any controversy surrounding the True Presence in the Eucharist in the early Church, it would appear that the Catholic Church today on this topic is more in tune with the early Church than at least most of the current Protestant denominations.

 

[rr1213]

Well, indidividual ECF’s are not authoritative. When you speak about a topic like the Eucharist, for example, it helps to look and see what the preponderance of belief was in the early church. That there were those who may disagree or who may describe it differently shouldn’t surprise anyone.

rusty

So, in the end, the ECFs are merely persuasive…or not. I think that this is pretty much the position Protestants would take on the ECFs also.

 

[rr1213]

rr1213

Any counter-citation by a Protestant is generally dismissed as simply a case where the ECF quoted is not authorative on that particular subject. Double standard?

Still looking for a Protestant citiation of an Early Father that contradicts, or at least calls into question, the statements by Justin Martyr concerning the True Presence.

Again, this is not something that I am looking at. Maybe others can help you.

 

[tizzidale]

So, in the end, the ECFs are merely persuasive…or not. I think that this is pretty much the position Protestants would take on the ECFs also.

I wouldn’t say ‘merely’ persuasive, as if one can dismiss them out of hand. After all, it was the opinions of the Fathers that eventually led to the decisions as to which books would be in the canon of scripture; the definition of the Trinity; the formation of the Creed. So to say that they’re ‘merely persuasive’ is a bit minimalist. And to group all Protestants together is not really fair for any one. That was the reason I spoke from experiences. I know that pentecostalism is sub-divided into numerous groups, much less Protestantism. There are Protestants who’ve I’ve known who have expressed great love for the Fathers. Most of these people came from very ecclesiastical/sacramental communities - such as the Anglicans or Lutherans. But I wouldn’t say that most Protestants in my particular area are so inclined.

rusty

 

[Gilbert_Keith]

rr1213

So, in the end, the ECFs are merely persuasive…or not. I think that this is pretty much the position Protestants would take on the ECFs also.

Rhetorical question:

So why wouldn’t the Protestants be persuaded by Justin Martyr if they have no contrary assertion to Justin’s by any other Church Father?

 

[rr1213]

rr1213

So, in the end, the ECFs are merely persuasive…or not. I think that this is pretty much the position Protestants would take on the ECFs also.

Rhetorical question:

So why wouldn’t the Protestants be persuaded by Justin Martyr if they have no contrary assertion to Justin’s by any other Church Father?

Because almost all Protestants place Scripture over the writings of the early church fathers. There are solid, although for me ultimately unconvincing, Scriptural reasons to believe that the Eucharist is symbolic in nature.

 

[Dancelittleewok]

Because almost all Protestants place Scripture over the writings of the early church fathers. There are solid, although for me ultimately unconvincing, Scriptural reasons to believe that the Eucharist is symbolic in nature.

Protestant claims that it’s roots are in the first century. If that is true, then there must be historical evidence for it.