[OLD REGGIE]

Protestants are driven to one of two things. Either the "all history is worthless" approach of some of the people on these threads, or like this, saying that the Church jumped off into heresy immediately after the deaths of the Apostles, and stayed that way until modern fundamentalists come along.

Since I assented to youu calling me a "Protestant" I imagine I have a right to respond. This "Protestant" believes in a slightly diffenent scenerio:

The Church began well, slowly drifted into heresy at an ever accellerating rate until, finally, Reformation was necessary. Oh! That and the fact the printing press was available to publicize this heresy.

[malakhi]

The Church began well, slowly drifted into heresy at an ever accellerating rate until, finally, Reformation was necessary.

There were actually a number of "internal" reforms of the Church, prior to the Protestant Reformation. Francis of Assisi led one such reform movement in Italy. The hierarchy was initially concerned that his movement might lead him and his followers out of the church, but became convinced that he sincerely desired to remain in the church and work within to reform it. There are some excellent biographies of Francis of Assisi available. He is an excellent example of someone who took the gospel seriously.