[Mrs. Don-o]

I'm just reading The Apostasy That Wasn't by Rod Bennett, which largely covers the run-up, event, and aftermath of the First Ecumenical Council at Nicaea.

One of the weird things is that the Arian heresy actually got worse after the Council than it was before, because even the good-guy bishops (except for the holy and utterly obstinate Athanasius) were casting about trying to finesse the main issue, trying to find a way to compromise by not saying quite, exactly what needed to be said.

I mean, God's Truth wins in the end, but even practically up to the time of Athanasius' death --- well, it was a near-run thing.

So what I'm learning from all this, is: God wins, God wins! The Catholic Church emerges shiny & sparkly! In God's time. --- but in the meantime, hang on until your knuckles get white, our life is all struggle.

Lord, have mercy.

[cloudmountain]

The very first COUNCIL OF JERUSALEM, 50 A.D., was held to decide if Gentiles had to follow the Jewish tradition of circumcision. The Council decided that they did NOT.

If that FIRST Council had failed there would probably have been no following councils. The Holy Spirit guided those people back then. I believe that He will guide current ones.

Just my opinion and belief.