What is the "Fullness of the Truth"?

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novusCatholic said:
Are you referring to the Celtic Rite? It was still Catholic. Besides, I referred to “Protestant denominations” in my comment.
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How could it be Roman Catholic if the Romans had not gone there yet?? That’s illogical. You can’t just imply that it always was.
 
Prosmith said:
Can you disprove my statements?:confused:
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Simple, For 1000 years there was only 1 Church, then it was two Churches (born out of those not submitting to authority of the Pope, but not doctrinal opposition) with Apostolic tradition, and Holy scripture, and also one with the Pope, and the other with Patriarch. After 500 years many churches born out of rebellion against the doctrines.

Further evidence, the Saints are CATHOLIC.

Any Church that is born out of rebellion from the Church founded by Jesus Christ through His Apostles, and this rebellion leads to doctrinal changes does NOT have the full truth of Jesus Christ. There you go 🤷.
 
Prosmith said:
How could it be Roman Catholic if the Romans had not gone there yet?? That’s illogical. You can’t just imply that it always was.
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I didn’t imply anything. I didn’t say Roman. I said Catholic. The Catholic Church is the one, true, apostolic Church of Christ. It was the Catholic Church in Jerusalem at Pentacost and as the Apostles evangelized, it was the Catholic Church in Greece, in Egypt, in Turkey, in Italy, in Spain, in India, in Syria, etc., etc., etc…

Roman/Latin is a rite.
"See that ye all follow the bishop, even as Christ Jesus does the Father, and the presbytery as ye would the apostles. Do ye also reverence the deacons, as those that carry out the appointment of God. Let no man do anything connected with the Church without the bishop. Let that be deemed a proper Eucharist, which is [administered] either by the bishop, or by one to whom he has entrusted it. Wherever the bishop shall appear, there let the multitude also be; by the bishop, or by one to whom he has entrusted it. Wherever the bishop shall appear, there let the multitude also be; even as, wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church." Ignatius of Antioch, Epistle to the Smyrneans, 8:2 (c. A.D. 110).
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benjohnson said:
I’ve always thought that then Catholics said “Fullness of the Truth” - they were being kind; They weren’t denying that other churches had some measure of Truth.
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The Church has always ackowledged truth, even in other religions, and embraces all that is truth, regardless of its source (ultimately truth has one source, Jesus Christ). When it comes to Christian ecclesial commuinites outside of the Catholic Church, who are recognized as our brothers and sisters in the Lord, truth is shared to even a greater extent. The “Fullness of the Truth” means that the Catholic Church lacks nothing, while every community that is not Catholic is lacking something of that fullness to one extent or another (i.e. authority, Sacred Tradition, Apostolic succession, correct teaching, Eucharist and the other sacraments, liturgy, etc.). Some are very close and others are very far away, but the “fullness of truth” is found only in the Catholic Church.
 
I’ve been following this thread and have enjoyed the posts. I think that ProSmith’s arguments are really not worth considering. They seem to me to be based in the too often repeated fallacies that non-conforming catholics (the so called protestants) tell themselves to justify their continuing recalcitrance. I love my non-conforming brothers and sisters and hope for our reconciliation fervently. To suggest that the Catholic church started in Rome is preposterous. It started when Jesus gave the keys to Peter. This is fact. We inherit a Church handed down to us through an unbroken chain. This fact is unassailable.

I do think, however, when we Catholics say that we posses the “Fullness of Truth” we are attempting to be charitable to our non-conforming brothers and sisters. I worry that they see it as a bit of taunting. I’m sorry for that, but I sincerely and completely believe that the Catholic Church is the one true Church. It’s not perfect and I take much issue with the leaders of the Church. Still, I feel comforted and anchored by the truth of the Catholic Church. I also know that it’s doors swing open on welcome hinges. I believe that God can and will find a way to reunite all his children. I may not be able to see or understand how, but I believe.

God bless.
 
Big_Ro said:
I do think, however, when we Catholics say that we posses the “Fullness of Truth” we are attempting to be charitable to our non-conforming brothers and sisters. I worry that they see it as a bit of taunting. I.
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I don’t see it is taunting at all, I think it’s quite chartable - it’s a positive statement of faith. Much better than the old understanding of “extra ecclesiam null sales” 🙂

Frankly, as a Lutheran, if I can’t defend against the claim of “Fullness of Truth” then I should start RCIA classes immediately.

I’ll see no need to be Catholic myself, but I see no reason why Catholics shouldn’t vigorously defend and evangelize their faith; “Fullness of Truth” fits both objectives.
 
The Catholic Church knows all known truth about God. This is the fullness of truth.

The Catholic Church does not claim to know all truth about God. The Catholic Church does not claim to know all truth that is knowable, but only all truth that is currently known right now about God. There are some truths about God which no one knows yet.

The Catholic Church knows all truth that is currently known about God. That is the fullness of truth.

Other Churches posess less than the fullness of truth, and some error.

-Tim-
 
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