Writings of the Fathers of the Church

VictorClaveau.com/New Advent ^ | Church Fathers

[GonzoII]

Writings of the Fathers of the Church   Alexander of Alexandria (Saint)   - Epistles on the Arian Heresy and the Deposition of Arius Alexander of Lycopolis   - Of the Manicheans Ambrose (340-397) (Saint) (Doctor)   - On the Christian Faith (De fide)   - On the Holy Spirit   - On the Mysteries   - On Repentance   - On the Duties of the Clergy   - Concerning Virgins   - Concerning Widows   - On the Death of Satyrus   - Memorial of Symmachus   - Sermon against Auxentius   - Letters Aphrahat/Aphraates (c. 280-367)   - Demonstrations Archelaus   - Acts of the Disputation with the Heresiarch Manes Aristides the Philosopher   - The Apology Arnobius   - Against the Heathen Athanasius (Saint) (Doctor)   - Against the Heathen   - On the Incarnation of the Word   - Deposition of Arius   - On Luke 10:22 (Matthew 11:27)   - Circular Letter   - Apologia Contra Arianos   - De Decretis   - De Sententia Dionysii   - Vita S. Antoni (Life of St. Anthony)   - Ad Episcopus Aegypti et Libyae   - Apologia ad Constantium   - Apologia de Fuga   - Historia Arianorum   - Four Discourses Against the Arians   - De Synodis   - Tomus ad Antiochenos   - Ad Afros Epistola Synodica   - Historia Acephala   - Letters Athenagoras   - A Plea for the Christians   - The Resurrection of the Dead Augustine of Hippo (Saint) (Doctor)   - Confessions   - Letters   - City of God   - Christian Doctrine   - On the Holy Trinity   - The Enchiridion   - On the Catechising of the Uninstructed   - On Faith and the Creed   - Concerning Faith of Things Not Seen   - On the Profit of Believing   - On the Creed: A Sermon to Catechumens   - On Continence   - On the Good of Marriage   - On Holy Virginity   - On the Good of Widowhood   - On Lying   - To Consentius: Against Lying   - On the Work of Monks   - On Patience   - On Care to be Had For the Dead   - On the Morals of the Catholic Church   - On the Morals of the Manichaeans   - On Two Souls, Against the Manichaeans   - Acts or Disputation Against Fortunatus the Manichaean   - Against the Epistle of Manichaeus Called Fundamental   - Reply to Faustus the Manichaean   - Concerning the Nature of Good, Against the Manichaeans   - On Baptism, Against the Donatists   - Answer to Letters of Petilian, Bishop of Cirta   - Merits and Remission of Sin, and Infant Baptism   - On the Spirit and the Letter   - On Nature and Grace   - On Man's Perfection in Righteousness   - On the Proceedings of Pelagius   - On the Grace of Christ, and on Original Sin   - On Marriage and Concupiscence   - On the Soul and its Origin   - Against Two Letters of the Pelagians   - On Grace and Free Will   - On Rebuke and Grace   - The Predestination of the Saints/Gift of Perseverance   - Our Lord's Sermon on the Mount   - The Harmony of the Gospels   - Sermons on Selected Lessons of the New Testament   - Tractates on the Gospel of John   - Homilies on the First Epistle of John   - Soliloquies   - The Enarrations, or Expositions, on the Psalms Bardesanes (154-222)   - The Book of the Laws of Various Countries Barnabas (Saint)   - Epistle of Barnabas Basil the Great (Saint) (Doctor)   - De Spiritu Sancto   - Nine Homilies of Hexaemeron   - Letters Caius   - Fragments Clement of Alexandria   - Who is the Rich Man That Shall Be Saved?   - Exhortation to the Heathen   - The Instructor   - The Stromata, or Miscellanies   - Fragments Clement of Rome (Saint)   - First Epistle   - Second Epistle (Spurious)   - Two Epistles Concerning Virginity (Spurious)   - Recognitions (Spurious) Commodianus   - Writings Cyprian of Carthage (Saint)   - The Life and Passion of Cyprian   - The Epistles of Cyprian   - The Treatises of Cyprian   - The Seventh Council of Carthage   - Treatises Attributed to Cyprian Cyril of Jerusalem (Saint) (Doctor)   - Catechetical Lectures Dionysius of Rome (Saint)   - Against the Sabellians Dionysius the Great   - Extant Fragments   - Exegetical Fragments Ephraim the Syrian (306-373) (Saint) (Doctor)   - Nisibene Hymns   - Miscellaneous Hymns -- On the Nativity of Christ in the Flesh, For the Feast of the Epiphany, and On the Faith ("The Pearl")   - Homilies -- On Our Lord, On Admonition and Repentance, and On the Sinful Woman Eusebius of Caesarea (c. 265-c. 340)   - Church History   - Life of Constantine   - Oration of Constantine "to the Assembly of the Saints"   - Oration in Praise of Constantine   - Letter on the Council of Nicaea Gennadius of Marseilles   - Illustrious Men (Supplement to Jerome) Gregory the Great, Pope (c. 540-604) (Saint) (Doctor)   - Pastoral Rule   - Register of Letters Gregory Nazianzen (Saint) (Doctor)   - Orations   - Letters Gregory of Nyssa (Saint)   - Against Eunomius   - Answer to Eunomius' Second Book   - On the Holy Spirit (Against the Followers of Macedonius)   - On the Holy Trinity, and of the Godhead of the Holy Spirit (To Eustathius)   - On "Not Three Gods" (To Ablabius)   - On the Faith (To Simplicius)   - On Virginity   - On Infants' Early Deaths   - On Pilgrimages   - On the Making of Man   - On the Soul and the Resurrection   - The Great Catechism   - Funeral Oration on Meletius   - On the Baptism of Christ (Sermon for the Day of Lights)   - Letters Gregory Thaumaturgus (Saint)   - A Declaration of Faith   - A Metaphrase of the Book of Ecclesiastes   - Canonical Epistle   - The Oration and Panegyric Addressed to Origen   - A Sectional Confession of Faith   - On the Trinity   - Twelve Topics on the Faith   - On the Subject of the Soul   - Four Homilies   - On All the Saints   - On Matthew 6:22-23 Hermas   - The Pastor (or "The Shepherd") Hilary of Poitiers (Saint) (Doctor)   - On the Councils, or the Faith of the Easterns   - On the Trinity   - Homilies on the Psalms Hippolytus (Saint)   - The Refutation of All Heresies   - The Extant Works and Fragments of Hippolytus: Exegetical   - Expository Treatise Against the Jews   - Against Plato, On the Cause of the Universe   - Against the Heresy of Noetus   - Discourse on the Holy Theophany   - The Antichrist   - Appendix Ignatius of Antioch (Saint)   - Epistle to the Ephesians   - Epistle to the Magnesians   - Epistle to the Trallians   - Epistle to the Romans   - Epistle to the Philadelphians   - Epistle to the Smyraeans   - Epistle to Polycarp   - The Martyrdom of Ignatius Irenaeus of Lyons (Saint)   - Adversus haereses   - Fragments from the Lost Writings of Irenaeus Jerome (Saint) (Doctor)   - Letters   - The Perpetual Virginity of Blessed Mary   - To Pammachius Against John of Jerusalem   - The Dialogue Against the Luciferians   - The Life of Malchus, the Captive Monk   - The Life of S. Hilarion   - The Life of Paulus the First Hermit   - Against Jovinianus   - Against Vigilantius   - Against the Pelagians   - Preface to the Chronicle of Eusebius   - De Viris Illustribus (Illustrious Men)   - Apology for himself against the Books of Rufinus John of Damascus (Saint) (Doctor)   - Exposition of the Faith John Cassian (c. 360-c. 435)   - Institutes   - Conferences   - On the Incarnation of the Lord (Against Nestorius) John Chrysostom (Saint) (Doctor)   - Homilies on the Gospel of St. Matthew   - Homilies on Acts   - Homilies on Romans   - Homilies on First Corinthians   - Homilies on Second Corinthians   - Homilies on Ephesians   - Homilies on Philippians   - Homilies on Colossians   - Homilies on First Thessalonians   - Homilies on Second Thessalonians   - Homilies on First Timothy   - Homilies on Second Timothy   - Homilies on Titus   - Homilies on Philemon   - Commentary on Galatians   - Homilies on the Gospel of John   - Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews   - Homilies on the Statues   - No One Can Harm the Man Who Does Not Injure Himself   - Two Letters to Theodore After His Fall   - Letter to a Young Widow   - Homily on St. Ignatius   - Homily on St. Babylas   - Homily Concerning "Lowliness of Mind"   - Instructions to Catechumens   - Three Homilies on the Power of Satan   - Homily on the Passage "Father, if it be possible . . ."   - Homily on the Paralytic Lowered Through the Roof   - Homily on the Passage "If your enemy hunger, feed him."   - Homily Against Publishing the Errors of the Brethren   - First Homily on Eutropius   - Second Homily on Eutropius (After His Captivity)   - Four Letters to Olympias   - Letter to Some Priests of Antioch   - Correspondence with Pope Innocent I   - On the Priesthood Julius Africanus   - Extant Writings Justin Martyr (Saint)   - First Apology   - Second Apology   - Dialogue with Trypho   - Hortatory Address to the Greeks   - On the Sole Government of God   - Fragments of the Lost Work on the Resurrection   - Miscellaneous Fragments from Lost Writings   - Martyrdom of Justin, Chariton, and other Roman Martyrs   - Discourse to the Greeks Lactantius   - The Divine Institutes   - The Epitome of the Divine Institutes   - On the Anger of God   - On the Workmanship of God   - Of the Manner In Which the Persecutors Died   - Fragments of Lactantius   - The Phoenix   - A Poem on the Passion of the Lord Leo the Great, Pope (c. 395-461) (Saint) (Doctor)   - Sermons   - Letters Malchion   - Extant Writings Mar Jacob (452-521)   - Canticle on Edessa   - Homily on Habib the Martyr   - Homily on Guria and Shamuna Mathetes   - Epistle to Diognetus Methodius   - The Banquet of the Ten Virgins   - Concerning Free Will   - From the Discourse on the Resurrection   - Fragments   - Oration Concerning Simeon and Anna   - Oration on the Psalms   - Three Fragments from the Homily on the Cross and Passion of Christ   - Some Other Fragments Minucius Felix   - Octavius Moses of Chorene (c. 400-c. 490)   - History of Armenia Novatian   - Treatise Concerning the Trinity   - On the Jewish Meats Origen   - Origen de Principiis   - Africanus to Origen   - Origen to Africanus   - Origen to Gregory   - Origen Against Celsus   - Letter of Origen to Gregory   - Commentary on the Gospel of John   - Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew Pamphilus (Saint)   - Extant Writings Papias (Saint)   - Fragments Peter of Alexandria (Saint)   - The Genuine Acts of Peter   - The Canonical Epistle   - Fragments Polycarp (Saint)   - Epistle to the Philippians   - The Martyrdom of Polycarp Rufinus   - Apology   - Commentary on the Apostles' Creed   - Prefaces Socrates Scholasticus (c. 379-c. 450)   - Ecclesiastical History Sozomen (c. 375-c. 447)   - Ecclesiastical History Sulpitius Severus (c. 363-c. 420)   - On the Life of St. Martin   - Letters -- Genuine and Dubious   - Dialogues   - Sacred History Tatian   - Address to the Greeks   - Fragments   - The Diatessaron Tertullian   - The Apology   - On Idolatry   - De Spectaculis (The Shows)   - De Corona (The Chaplet)   - To Scapula   - Ad Nationes   - (A Fragment)   - An Answer to the Jews   - The Soul's Testimony   - A Treatise on the Soul   - The Prescription Against Heretics   - Against Marcion   - Against Hermogenes   - Against the Valentinians   - On the Flesh of Christ   - On the Resurrection of the Flesh   - Against Praxeas   - Scorpiace   - Appendix (Against All Heresies)   - On Repentance   - On Baptism   - On Prayer   - Ad Martyras   - The Martyrdom of Perpetua and Felicity (Sometimes attributed to Tertullian)   - Of Patience   - On the Pallium   - On the Apparel of Women   - On the Veiling of Virgins   - To His Wife   - On Exhortation to Chastity   - On Monogamy   - On Modesty   - On Fasting   - De Fuga in Persecutione Theodoret   - Counter-Statements to Cyril's 12 Anathemas against Nestorius   - Ecclesiastical History   - Dialogues ("Eranistes" or "Polymorphus")   - Demonstrations by Syllogism   - Letters Theodotus   - Excerpts Theophilus   - Theophilus to Autolycus Venantius   - Poem on Easter Victorinus (Saint)   - On the Creation of the World   - Commentary on the Apocalypse of the Blessed John Vincent of Lérins (d. c. 450) (Saint)   - Commonitory for the Antiquity and Universality of the Catholic Faith OTHER WORKS Liturgies   - The Liturgy of James   - The Liturgy of Mark   - The Liturgy of the Blessed Apostles Councils   - Carthage under Cyprian (257) [LOCAL]   - Ancyra (314) [LOCAL]   - Neocaesarea (315) [LOCAL]   - Nicaea I (325) [ECUMENICAL]   - Antioch in Encaeniis (341) [LOCAL]   - Gangra (343) [LOCAL]   - Sardica (344) [LOCAL]   - Constantinople I (381) [ECUMENICAL]   - Constantinople (382) [LOCAL]   - Laodicea (390) [LOCAL]   - Constantinople under Nectarius (394) [LOCAL]   - Carthage (419) [LOCAL]   - Ephesus (431) [ECUMENICAL]   - Chalcedon (451) [ECUMENICAL]   - Constantinople II (553) [ECUMENICAL]   - Constantinople III (680) [ECUMENICAL]   - Constantinople/"Trullo"/Quinisext (692) [LOCAL]   - Nicaea II (787) [ECUMENICAL] Apocrypha   - Apocalypse of Peter (c. 130)   - Protoevangelium of James (c. 150)   - Acts of Paul and Thecla (c. 180)   - Gospel of Peter (c. 190) [DOCETIC]   - The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs (c. 192) [EBIONITIC]   - Acts of Peter and Paul (c. 200)   - Gospel of Thomas (c. 200) [GNOSTIC]   - Acts of Thomas (c. 240) [GNOSTIC]   - Acts of Thaddaeus (c. 250)   - Acts of Andrew (c. 260) [GNOSTIC]   - Acts of Xanthippe and Polyxena (c. 270)   - Acts of John [DOCETIC]   - Acts of Philip (c. 350)   - Apocalypse of Paul (c. 380) -- Greek and Latin forms   - Gospel of Nicodemus (Including "Acta Pilati") (c. 150-400)   - The Doctrine of Addai (c. 400) -- This is a Syriac version of the earlier Acts of Thaddaeus (s.v.)   - Assumption of Mary (c. 400)   - History of Joseph the Carpenter (c. 400)   - Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew (c. 400)   - Acts of Barnabas (c. 500)   - Acts of Bartholomew (c. 500) [NESTORIAN]   - Acts and Martyrdom of St. Matthew the Apostle (c. 550) [ABYSSINIAN]   - Arabic Gospel of the Infancy of the Saviour (c. 600)   - Avenging of the Saviour (c. 700)   - Apocalypse of John (unknown date; late)   - Apocalypse of Moses (unknown date) [JUDAISTIC]   - Apocalypse of Esdras (unknown date) [JUDAISTIC]   - Testament of Abraham (unknown date) [JUDAISTIC]   - Narrative of Zosimus (unknown date)   - Gospel of the Nativity of Mary (unknown date; late)   - Narrative of Joseph of Arimathea (unknown date; late)   - Report of Pontius Pilate (unknown date; late) -- First Greek and Second Greek forms   - Letter of Pontius Pilate (unknown date; late)   - Giving Up of Pontius Pilate (unknown date; late)   - Death of Pilate (unknown date; late)   - Apocalypse of the Virgin (unknown date; very late)   - Apocalypse of Sedrach (unknown date; very late) Miscellaneous   - The Didache (c. 100)   - The Passion of the Scillitan Martyrs (c. 180)   - A Treatise Against the Heretic Novatian (c. 255)   - A Treatise on Re-Baptism (c. 255)   - Remains of the Second and Third Centuries (various dates)   - Apostolic Constitutions (c. 400)   - Apostolic Canons (c. 400) -- See Apostolic Constitutions, Book VIII, Chapter 47   - Acts of Sharbil (unknown date) [SYRIAC]   - The Martyrdom of Barsamya (unknown date) [SYRIAC]   - Extracts from Various Books Concerning Abgar the King and Addaeus the Apostle (unknown date) [SYRIAC]   - The Teaching of the Apostles (unknown date) [SYRIAC]   - The Teaching of Simon Cephas in the City of Rome (unknown date) [SYRIAC]   - Martyrdom of Habib the Deacon (unknown date) [SYRIAC]   - Martyrdom of the Holy Confessors Shamuna, Guria, and Habib (unknown date) [SYRIAC]   - A Letter of Mara, Son of Serapion (unknown date) [SYRIAC]   - Ambrose (unknown date) [SYRIAC]   - Canons of the Thirteen Holy Fathers (various dates)   - The False Decretals (c. 850)

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Copyright © 2004 Victor Claveau. All Rights Reserved

[GonzoII]

I thought maybe some folks my want to bookmark this as the links work!!

[fishtank]

What is your opinion of the early church Fathers in relation to the writings of the apostles in the Bible? How do you think we should interpret the one set of writings compared to the other set?

[GonzoII]

FYI: The links work!

[Kolokotronis]

Orthodox ping...and Mr. Rogers.

Here’s a good resource for you.

[marron]

Thanks for posting.

[Alex Murphy]

I thought maybe some folks my want to bookmark this as the links work!!

Every one of the links goes to newadvent.org. I'd have preferred a neutral "third party" website.

[GonzoII]

"What is your opinion of the early church Fathers in relation to the writings of the apostles in the Bible?"

The Apostolic writers wrote under divine inspiration the Fathers didn't. This would be the main difference. This fact of course would not diminish in any way their profound erudition; their knowledge of early historical Christianity; of early Christian beliefs; and as regards the "Apostolic Fathers" their direct acquaintance with one or more of the actual Apostles which no one, and I mean no one!! can claim today.

"How do you think we should interpret the one set of writings compared to the other set?"

The Traditions found in the Fathers, as well as the Scriptures themselves should be interpreted in light of the Magisterium.

[GonzoII]

"Every one of the links goes to newadvent.org. I'd have preferred a neutral "third party" website."

Hey, I can't please everyone. I think these are the standard writings that you find everywhere on the Web including CCEL .

[GonzoII]

You’re welcome.

[Mrs. Don-o]

I can't speak for Gonzo, of course, but the writings in the Bible are in a uniquely high category: they are authoritative because, as the Church attests, they are inspired by the Holy Spirit, "the Word of God in the words of man."

That which came from the Apostles themselves, repeated orally and written down later, has the same Apostolic authority, as St. Paul himself said: "So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter" (2 Thess. 2:15).

The early Fathers -- even when they are not directly quoting the words of the Apostles-- are a valuable resource, especially in interpreting Scripture correctly.

They were often native speakers of the languages in which the Scriptures were written, or recognized by their contemporaries both as men of piety and as scholars, much closer to the Biblical times, mindset, and culture than we are.

For a comparison: suppose that there are some ambiguities of language or interpretation in the reading of Geoffrey Chaucer (Canterbury Tales.) It would be more relevant to look for commentaries from the 15th century, from near-contemporaries, than from a scholar whose knowledge of the English language and English culture is almost all from the 19th and 20th centuries.

The Fathers were highly respected by the believers in their day (which is why their writings have been carefully preserved from their day until now); the earliest ones were disciples and 1st-generation successors of the Apostles themselves; and they offer a rich insight into the thinking and practices of the faithful of early Church.

[Campion]

Check the citations on the translations at New Advent. They’re Philip Schaff, every one of them.

[GonzoII]

"They were often native speakers of the languages in which the Scriptures were written"

BTTT.

[fishtank]

Just two stories from my past:

(1) Many years ago, Fr. F. Laisnay of the SSPX (spelling deliberately wrong here) told me that the Bible had to be interpreted though the FOTC (Fathers of the Church).

(2) Just a few years ago, a Lutheran friend wanted to feel OK about infant baptism for his children. He didn’t find examples in the Bible, so he felt much better about it after he read examples in the FOTC.

Anyway, I liked both of your answers.

Thanks.

P.S. Trivia: I’ve heard that the Bible could be completely rewritten from quotes in the FOTC if all the Bible manuscripts were ever to be lost. (Not that that is probable.)

[GonzoII]

Download The Complete Early Church Fathers Collection in WinHelp Format

[Mrs. Don-o]

"I’ve heard that the Bible could be completely rewritten from quotes in the FOTC if all the Bible manuscripts were ever to be lost"

Way cool.

[1010RD]

Thanks.

[Salvation]

Wow! What a list!

[Salvation]

Writings of the Fathers of the Church

THE CHURCH FATHERS: A DOOR TO ROME (fundamentalist warns saying they sound too Catholic)
Were the Church Fathers Closer to Protestantism Than to Catholicism?
The Faith of Our Fathers
The Early Church Fathers
The Early Church Fathers on The Church (Catholic Caucus)

Early Church Fathers on (Oral) Tradition - Catholic/Orthodox Caucus
The Early Church Fathers on Apostolic Succession - Catholic/Orthodox Caucus
The Early Church Fathers on Purgatory - Catholic/Orthodox Caucus
The Early Church Fathers on Salvation Outside the Church [Catholic/Orthodox Caucus]
The Early Church Fathers on Mary’s Perpetual Virginity - Catholic/Orthodox Caucus
The Early Church Fathers on The Primacy of Peter/Rome (Catholic/Orthodox Caucus)

The Early Church Fathers on Hell - Catholic/Orthodox Caucus
The Early Church Fathers on Intercession of the Saints - Catholic/Orthodox Caucus
The Early Church Fathers on The Real Presence - Catholic/Orthodox Caucus
The Early Church Fathers on Confession / Reconciliation - Catholic/Orthodox Caucus
The Early Church Fathers on the Immaculate Conception - Catholic/Orthodox Caucus

The Early Church Fathers on Justification - Catholic/Orthodox Caucus
The Early Church Fathers on Contraception - Catholic/Orthodox Caucus
The Early Church Fathers on Baptism - Catholic/Orthodox Caucus
The Early Church Fathers on The Mother of God - Catholic/Orthodox Caucus
Quotes from the Early Church Fathers

Early Church Fathers - Worship on Sabbath or Sunday
The Early Church Fathers on the Assumption [Catholic/Orthodox Caucus]
Look to the Church Fathers to Shed Light on Modern Problems, Writes the Pope
On St. Clement of Rome -The Church Has a Sacramental, Not Political Structure (March 7, 2007)
Truly a Doctor of Unity (St. Ignatius of Antioch) (March 14, 2007)

St. Justin Martyr: He Considered Christianity the “True Philosophy” (March 21, 2007)
St. Irenaeus of Lyons: The First Great Theologian of the Church (March 28, 2007)
St. Clement of Alexandria: One of the Great Promoters of Dialogue Between Faith and Reason (April 18, 2007)
On Origen of Alexandria: He Was a True Teacher (April 25, 2007)
Origen: The Privileged Path to Knowing God Is Love

[Kolokotronis]

“The Traditions found in the Fathers, as well as the Scriptures themselves should be interpreted in light of the Magisterium.”

Of course, not one of the The Fathers had a clue what the “Magisterium” is/was.

There is a decree from the Council of Trent which says that the Scriptures must never be interpreted other than in accordance with the writings of the Fathers.

The Consensus Patrum is the gold standard, G.

[MarkBsnr]

***The Consensus Patrum is the gold standard, G.***

Yes it is.

http://www.catholic-convert.com/documents/UnanimousConsent.doc says:

The Unanimous Consent of the Fathers (unanimem consensum Patrum) refers to the morally unanimous teaching of the Church Fathers on certain doctrines as revealed by God and interpretations of Scripture as received by the universal Church. The individual Fathers are not personally infallible, and a discrepancy by a few patristic witnesses does not harm the collective patristic testimony.

The word “unanimous” comes from two Latin words: únus, one + animus, mind. “Consent” in Latin means agreement, accord, and harmony; being of the same mind or opinion. Where the Fathers speak in harmony, with one mind overall-not necessarily each and every one agreeing on every detail but by consensus and general agreement-we have “unanimous consent”. The teachings of the Fathers provide us with an authentic witness to the apostolic tradition.

St. Irenaeus (AD c. 130-c. 200) writes of the “tradition derived from the apostles, of the very great, the very ancient, and universally known Church founded and organized at Rome’ (Against Heresies, III, 3, 2), and the “tradition which originates from the apostles [and] which is preserved by means of the successions of presbyters in the Churches” (Ibid., III, 2, 2) which “does thus exist in the Church, and is permanent among us” (Ibid., III, 5, 1). Unanimous consent develops from the understanding of apostolic teaching preserved in the Church with the Fathers as its authentic witness.

St. Vincent of Lerins, explains the Church’s teaching: “In the Catholic Church itself, all possible care must be taken, that we hold that faith which has been believed everywhere, always, by all. For that is truly and in the strictest sense “Catholic,” which, as the name itself and the reason of the thing declare, comprehends all universally. This rule we shall observe if we follow universality, antiquity, consent. We shall follow universality if we confess that one faith to be true, which the whole Church throughout the world confesses; antiquity, if we in no wise depart from those interpretations which it is manifest were notoriously held by our holy ancestors and fathers; consent, in like manner, if in antiquity itself we adhere to the consentient definitions and determinations of all, or at the least of almost all priests and doctors” (Commonitory 2). Notice that St. Vincent mentions “almost all priests and doctors”.

The phrase Unanimous Consent of the Fathers had a specific application as used at the Council of Trent (Fourth Session), and reiterated at the First Vatican Council (Dogmatic Decrees of the Vatican Council, chap. 2). The Council Fathers specifically applied the phrase to the interpretation of Scripture. Biblical and theological confusion was rampant in the wake of the Protestant Reformation. Martin Luther stated “There are almost as many sects and beliefs as there are heads; this one will not admit Baptism; that one rejects the Sacrament of the altar; another places another world between the present one and the day of judgment; some teach that Jesus Christ is not God. There is not an individual, however clownish he may be, who does not claim to be inspired by the Holy Ghost, and who does not put forth as prophecies his ravings and dreams.”

A fine definition of Unanimous Consent, based on the Church Counccils, is provided in the Maryknoll Catholic Dictionary, “When the Fathers of the Church are morally unanimous in their teaching that a certain doctrine is a part of revelation, or is received by the universal Church, or that the opposite of a doctrine is heretical, then their united testimony is a certain criterion of divine tradition. As the Fathers are not personally infallible, the counter-testimony of one or two would not be destructive of the value of the collective testimony; so a moral unanimity only is required” (Wilkes-Barre, Penn.: Dimension Books, 1965), pg. 153.

---

Please note the quotation from Martin Luther; a myth says that he died a Catholic but I have no corroborative evidence. This however, indicates that he did begin to realize some of the ramifications of his actions.

[kosta50]

Every one of the links goes to newadvent.org.

You noticed that too? Funny thing is, that site posts what the RCC believed in 1911 (it's actually managed by a single poster). The Church has since changed some of its teachings...If you try to quote from it on subjects the Church disagrees with (today), the Catholics will tell you that that New Advent is not an official Vatican site...convenient, isn't it?

[GonzoII]

/The Consensus Patrum is the gold standard, G."

Note, I said interpret.

[GonzoII]

"The Church has since changed some of its teachings"

Not its Doctrines.

[GonzoII]

You’re welcome.

[kosta50]

Martin Luther: “There are almost as many sects and beliefs as there are heads; this one will not admit Baptism; that one rejects the Sacrament of the altar; another places another world between the present one and the day of judgment; some teach that Jesus Christ is not God. .”

This however, indicates that he did begin to realize some of the ramifications of his actions.

Sounds like he described present-day Protestant communities, doens't it? I especially like the observatrion "There is not an individual, however clownish he may be, who does not claim to be inspired by the Holy Ghost, and who does not put forth as prophecies his ravings and dreams."

[Campion]

Funny thing is, that site posts what the RCC believed in 1911 (it's actually managed by a single poster)

The reason it has old stuff there is because it's all public domain. Newer things have copyrights.

The Church has since changed some of its teachings...If you try to quote from it on subjects the Church disagrees with (today)

Disciplines have changed; teachings have not, and dogmata absolutely have not.

New Advent is not an official Vatican site

Which it isn't. The official Vatican site is alive and well at www.vatican.va.

[MarkBsnr]

***Sounds like he described present-day Protestant communities, doens’t it? I especially like the observatrion “There is not an individual, however clownish he may be, who does not claim to be inspired by the Holy Ghost, and who does not put forth as prophecies his ravings and dreams.”***

The only difference between the time just before he died and the present day is the number of Protestant beliefs, and the extravagent excesses in theology that they are developing.

[kosta50]

That, by the way, is an excellent quote, Mark. Do you have the source?

[MarkBsnr]

There are many out there. http://beggarsallreformation.blogspot.com/2005/12/martin-luther-topical-master-index-for.html has many of Luther’s more famous and also more obscure quotes and attempts to paint over the odder ones.

[rbmillerjr]

Wow, excellent and exhaustive reference link.

Thank you.

[GonzoII]

You’re welcome.

[kosta50]

Thanks, mark. It’s a keeper.

[MarkBsnr]

I don’t keep it bookmarked, but Google is my friend when I need to find it. You may wish to browse through many of his other sayings. Petronski has hit the nail right on the thumb with many of Luther’s sayings that the Reformers attempt to deny that he ever said.

[kosta50]

Petronski has hit the nail right on the thumb with many of Luther’s sayings that the Reformers attempt to deny that he ever said

I know. Besides you, he is my other favorite Catholic poster.

[Mr Rogers]

Thanks for the ping and thanks for the post. Now all I need is a few thousand hours for reading...

[MarkBsnr]

Petronski has hit the nail right on the thumb with many of Luther’s sayings that the Reformers attempt to deny that he ever said

I know. Besides you, he is my other favorite Catholic poster.

High praise. I am particularly fond of many of Petronski's skewerings of the forces of the netherworld aka the harpie hordes.