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To: conservonator
once again, certain catholics claim absolute exclusivity to the scriptures. Until you can bring me something other than Catholic writings to support the claim that Catholicism is the one true faith, you have no case.
104 posted on 02/18/2006 4:53:33 AM PST by whispering out loud (the bible is either 100% true, or in it's very nature it is 100% a lie)
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To: whispering out loud
once again, certain catholics claim absolute exclusivity to the scriptures. Until you can bring me something other than Catholic writings to support the claim that Catholicism is the one true faith, you have no case.

If you truly trust Scripture, and are cognizant of history, you can come to not other conclusion.

111 posted on 02/18/2006 8:38:45 AM PST by conservonator (Pray for those suffering)
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To: whispering out loud

I've made this argument several times before here on FR threads, but consider it again. The early Church - the VERY early Church - bore witness to its faith in writing starting from the end of the first Century. They discussed theology, liturgy, sacraments, and apologetics geared to hostile pagans, among other things. A collection of their writings, commonly known as The Fathers of the Church, spans the time from the end of the 1st Century right into the 8th Century.

This collection of writings gives incredible witness to modern Catholic beliefs and practices, as they can clearly be shown to form a continuum from their day to ours. At the very least, a comparison of their beliefs and practices with Protestantism will demonstrate profound differences on even many of the basics. I would strongly suggest finding the collection at nearly any library and begin reading.

Usually the collection comes in a 35-40 volume set of books, but, even with such a huge baseline, I'm not worried that you will find any patterns that deviate markedly from modern Catholic orthodoxy. Indeed, the overwhelming consistency of these early voices demonstrates not only our doctrine, but the Holy Spirit's guidance in preserving it. If such a large set seems too daunting a task to wade through, or you would like to buy something a little more affordable, there is a three volume paperback set of excerpts of the Fathers called "The Faith of the Early Fathers," by William A. Jurgens. It's *excellent* as a resource to own. Here's a link to it at Amazon.com: http:www.amazon.com/gp/product/customer-reviews/0814604323

If you study the Fathers, you will see what you are looking for as a ratification of and verification of the Catholic Faith. Consider that these early churchmen could NOT collectively be in error without *destroying* the very validity of Christianity. After all, if they got it "wrong" so quickly, it makes Jesus out to be a liar and a fraud, who could not even safeguard His new faith even from the beginning. In the light of Matthew 28:20, this conclusion is *inescapeable* if the early Church was so much in "error." I urge you to prayerfully consider that.


113 posted on 02/18/2006 11:19:30 AM PST by magisterium
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