Posted on 10/15/2001 6:54:40 AM PDT by malakhi
I think that's a good point. I've seen it implied here in this thread before that the so called Dark Ages were somehow the fault of the Catholic Church. I think a little refresher of history may be in order.
The Dark Ages is a term that was once used to describe the early Middle Ages, from approximately A.D. 400 to 900, and referred to a supposed lack of learning during this period. But in reality, the early Middle Ages were not completely "dark."
The advent of the Middle Ages occurred when the Germanic barbarians took over the Roman empire and destroyed their system of civilization and laws. Education and culture were all but eliminated by these barbarians and the existing system of city and state schools were destroyed.
The Church was the primary civilizing force of the early Middle Ages. It provided leadership for the people and saved western Europe from complete ignorance.
Gradually, the Church converted the barbarians to Christianity. Although the Europeans didn't honor a single ruler any longer, they did gradually begin to worship the same God. Church missionaries spread the Christian faith, and they helped civilize the barbarians by introducing Roman ideas of government and justice into their lives.
The popes, bishops, and other leaders of the church took over many functions of government, to fill the void, after the Roman emperors lost power. The church collected taxes and maintained law courts to punish criminals. Church buildings also served as hospitals for the sick, and as inns for travelers.
Just so people don't get the wrong ideas.
You are very good at putting words into the mouths of others that they didn't mean or say. I would say that the Dark Ages continue even today for much of the world, just see those under communist oppression and Islamic oppression (for example).
I agree, although you are not using the conventional definition of Dark Ages.
If you believe that your teachings are the same today, why do some RC's spend so much time on this thread saying that doctrine must be allowed to "develop" from what it once was? ("Greater understanding", is what they call it.)
Well, I'm glad we agree on something. I admitted in post #3455 that my personal definition was not what you find in the encyclopedia. Time marches on and history repeats itself many times. The Scripture says "There is nothing new under the sun."
That's a hole large enough to drive an entire fleet of trucks through.
That's a hole large enough to drive an entire fleet of trucks through.
But didn't you just say:
The Scripture says "There is nothing new under the sun."
(Just joking. By the way, I don't recall that passage from Scripture. Do you have a reference? Thanks.)
Ok, no prob.
1. When catholics speak of "grace," they mean "power" or "enablement." So when they say that this-or-that "confers grace," they mean that this-or-that gives one the power to be righteous. Is this correct?
Basically. Here is the CCC explanation... 2003 Grace is first and foremost the gift of the Spirit who justifies and sanctifies us. But grace also includes the gifts that the Spirit grants us to associate us with his work, to enable us to collaborate in the salvation of others and in the growth of the Body of Christ, the Church. There are sacramental graces, gifts proper to the different sacraments. There are furthermore special graces, also called charisms after the Greek term used by St. Paul and meaning "favor," "gratuitous gift," "benefit."53 Whatever their character - sometimes it is extraordinary, such as the gift of miracles or of tongues - charisms are oriented toward sanctifying grace and are intended for the common good of the Church. They are at the service of charity which builds up the Church.54
2. According to the CAT. CAT. (catholic catechism), a sacrament is "a thing perceptible to the senses, which, on the grounds of Divine institution, possesses the power both of effecting and signifying sanctity and righteousness." In other words, a sacrament contains and causes sanctifying power in the person who partakes of the sacrament....Right?
More CCC info... 1131 The sacraments are efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us. The visible rites by which the sacraments are celebrated signify and make present the graces proper to each sacrament. They bear fruit in those who receive them with the required dispositions.
I hope this helps you understand the belief system.
LOL That was very clever. The verse was written by Solomon and is in Ecclesiastes. (I don't remember exact chapter and verse, sorry.)
I should have suspected that since the phrase "under the sun" is used pretty frequently in Ecclesiastes. Thanks.
The emphasis of the Rosary is on Jesus' life and trials during his physical presence on earth. (I jumped in the middle of something here, so my apologies if my answer doesn't address what you were asking.)
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