Why isn't Catholic Church(origins)-well known

[Jeremiah_48350]

If I have this right it is something like this? Apostolic followers went to different lands to spread the news, Peter went to Anitoch and Rome and started a faith called “the Way”(mentioned within the Bible), later became known as the Universal Church and accepted anyone basically, the Greek word (common language of the day) was something resembling Kathlikos which is the word for universal and thus Catholic became our name. I am not an expert, but assuming this line is mostly correct, why isn’t this heritage well known and published or such??? Is it because of humility as not to insult other Christians or religions as to Catholics being the faith handed down from Jesus.

(relatively new Catholic convert)
Thanks for an answer.

 

[Liberian]

Jeremiah,

I think you have it basically right, in terms of the origin of the name “Catholic.” The origins of the Catholic Church herself are EXTREMELY well known, being written up in Matthew 16:18-19 and Acts 2. I think the origin of the name is less important.

Incidentally, I am told that John lived in Ephesus (before being exiled to Patmos) and Thomas went to India.

• Liberian

 

[TOME]

Jeremiah,
This is my thoughts. First, speacking from an American Catholic, I think part of the answer to your question lies in the American psyche. We as a people are not very interested in history as are some other cultures. I think many would agreee with me that in the American mind, the past (history) is all well an good, especially the more interesting parts for the individual, but we as a people seem to always be looking forward,“what will tomorrow bring…” (or as the joke about New Yorkers is, “What have you done for me tomorrow?”). So it is just part of our culture (or may I be as bold as saying ‘nature’) as Americans to too often look to the future and forget the importance of the past. (Try teaching history - American or any type of history to high schoolers for a semester and you will understand what I mean)>

The second reason that comes to my mind is the Church for most Catholics just has always been there and too often we forget to question why. This may sound like my first point, however, here I would like to add a slight difference. The Church is like a persons family. We all know something about our parents and grandparents, but it is almost as if we take our family’s history for granted and really do not dwell on it (maybe this does tie into my first point closer than I realize?). As a result, like many a family’s fokelore we just accept what we are taught or better what has been handed on to us with out any real desire of dwelling into things any deeper. For example, in my past experience, most people I talked to understood the Peter was the “First” Bishop of Rome, but were very surprized to find out that there was already a Church, perhaps several, in Rome by the time Peter arrived there. Or that the Church at Antioch was the first place we were called “Christians” and that there were Christians there as a community before any apostles had arrived.
Most just though the Church at Rome was established by Peter and set up by him just as we have it now.

Why they thought this way, again maybe its be cause we are Americans and that the Church always being here, just like our families are, the thought never really occurs to most to dwell any deeper.

 

[Jeremiah_48350]

Thanks for reply Liberian and Tome, I know what the bible mentions it does not say Catholic Church anywhere directly, it is like pieces of a puzzle, I did see in the bible mentioning “the Way” and of course I see Peter as the Bishop of Rome and starting a Church(I am already there on this anyway). I was looking at it so as to explain it to an outsider (if that is possible)and trying to show how this became called Catholic Church from Jesus on down. If Catholic Church claims to be the direct Church of Jesus teachings(I have no problem with this) and yes we appear to have compiled the Bible and later mass printings under Guttenberg (a Catholic) . Shouldn’t this put out as historical fact so the uninformed know the real deal. Just one more piece of the puzzle for an uninformed public. Perhaps more Christians would look towards Catholicism if they were more knowledgable about the heritage, correctness and fullness of the faith. Perhaps others would atleast look at what the Church is, with more of an open eye, heart and mind. Thirdly, perhaps our Church might see less criticism, as some people having some knowledge that it is Jesus that your are rejecting if you reject this faith. Also, for outsiders maybe they would realize the importance and reverance that the Pope deserves as the chair of Peter.

Good points you made about culture and people not wanting to know their history much. Perhaps this is why we are not very wise these days, plenty of information and knowledge (internet, books, education), but plenty of wisdom lacking.(as we show we are uncivilized in so many ways) So many believe they know enough to reject God or religion as if it were theories. The same people cannot explain the infinite universe, time and space or even give a clue on or origins and yet they know it all. It is very sad to see the numbers of lost brothers and sisters who rely on their limited knowledge to guide their total life. It might be interesting for these professed logic thinkers to learn of Plato and others who 400 years prior to Jesus dominion, have a belief system of God and divinity and some(not all) close parallels to what it is as we know it today, after their contemplations and wisdom and they are the fathers of deductive logic and thinking. I find it very interesting. I would probably be fortunate if I was half as intelligent as Plato and others of his peers. (humble and wise enough to know, I don’t know it all and never will)

 

[Thal59]

If I have this right it is something like this? Apostolic followers went to different lands to spread the news, Peter went to Anitoch and Rome and started a faith called “the Way”(mentioned within the Bible), later became known as the Universal Church and accepted anyone basically, the Greek word (common language of the day) was something resembling Kathlikos which is the word for universal and thus Catholic became our name. I am not an expert, but assuming this line is mostly correct, why isn’t this heritage well known and published or such??? Is it because of humility as not to insult other Christians or religions as to Catholics being the faith handed down from Jesus.

(relatively new Catholic convert)
Thanks for an answer.

The simple answer is that written works pertinent to the question no longer exist. Writings from the first century regarding Christianity, which was in a state of extreme persecution, were rare because one could not allow their writings to betray themselves or their community to the Jews or Romans. Also, papyrus scrolls rot away before their 50th birthday. Between the persecutions, the need for secrecy, and the fragility of papyrus, very little work remains to establish the heritage you referred to.

St.Ignatius’ letter, written around 105ad, seems to be the oldest referrence to the “Catholic” church. But is this the first usage of the word, or only the oldest surviving text which incorporates the word? Since there are no examples of other authors asking what the heck Ignatius meant by the word “Catholic,” one can assume that the term was both familiar and accepted by them for quite some time.

Now if this term was inappropriate, say from the period of the 70s or 80s, one might expect John’s revelation to correct the usage; whereas his work only seems to confirm the universality of the church.

Thal59