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Anthony Tao wrote:

Hi, guys —

As a Catholic I love the Church Fathers. Their life and writings illuminate the way for the Christian, but I found that they also become a source of schism and division.

No, I do not mean the Fathers themselves. What I mean is their words and ideas interpreted by different Christian Churches and sects, the famous example being the Eastern Orthodox. They use Greek Fathers to accuse our "Filioque" dogma as heresy.

Protestants do the same thing; I found Calvinists using the Fathers to support their "TULIP" [Related Reference] Calvinism belief. I am very confused and also very sad. The Fathers should be for the unity of all Christians, rather than being used for supporting dogma of each Christian denominations.

  • What do you think?
  • How should we read the Fathers correctly as to gain true knowledge of God and Faith?

(By the way, I am sorry for my poor English for I am Chinese and English is not my native language.)

Anthony

  { How should we read the Early Church Fathers rightly as to gain true knowledge of God and Faith? }

Paul replied:

Dear Anthony,

All written words need authentic interpretation, and that includes the Church Fathers' and even Scripture itself. This is why Christ established a Magisterium to authentically interpret divine Revelation. This consists of the pope and bishops as the bishops successors of Peter and the Apostles. Even the Church fathers got some things wrong, like:

  • Origen's denial of Hell and
  • Arius' denial of the Son's co-equality and co-eternity with the Father.

The teaching of the Magisterium and that of sacred Tradition is how we judge judge truth from falsehood on faith and morals.

The main reason Eastern Orthodox and Protestants may differ today in interpreting the Fathers is because they do not accept that the bishop of Rome, the pope, as the one Christ established to settle disputes, along with the bishops in union with him. If they reject that part of the Fathers' legacy, they are bound to occasionally misinterpret the Church fathers.

Peace,

Paul

Mike replied:

Dear Anthony,

I'm glad you found our site. Please share our website with both:

  • the Catholic Patriotic Association (CCPA) and
  • the Underground Catholic Church (UCC)

and know that both your groups are in our prayers!!!

It's time for those living in China to rise up and remove the dictatorship in China and usher in a Democratic Republic now!!!

Mike
[Related Posting]

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