No I know that because of historical record which was not disputed by the Reformers. They did not believe the record necessarily reflected infallible teaching. That meant that even though the accounts of the Fathers were historically correct their views on such matters as Justification, the Eucharist and other doctine were subject to the authority of Scripture and the Reformers interpretation of Scripture.
The Catholic Church submits the writings of the Fathers to the authority Scripture and to the Magesterium. The Fathers are not in and of themselves infallible.
I hope an Orthodox Christian will comment on how the Orthodox Church regards the Fathers.
In any case non of the traditional Christian bodies ever decided that what the Father’s wrote was to be sneeringly set aside and regarded as inferior to one’s own private on retainer Holy Ghost.
You know, you can’t have it both ways.
On one hand you admit that the writings of the Catholic church fathers are not infallible and on the other hand you scorn those who also do not recognize them as being infallible.
So, just what would make a Catholic happy?
If a Catholic questions their integrity, well that’s OK because the writings must be submitted to the authority Scripture and to the Magesterium, because, after all, the “Church Fathers” are not in and of themselves infallible.
If a non-Catholic questions their integrity and thinks that they must be submitted to the authority of Scripture because they are not infallible, then the non-Catholics are sneeringly setting aside and regarding as inferior those same writings.
Why is it OK when Catholics do it and not OK when non-Catholics do the very same thing?
Explain to me how something (the writings of the “church fathers”) that must submit to the authority of something else (Scripture) is not inferior to it? Is Scripture not superior to the works of men?
So?
We are commanded to test everything to see if it's of God or not and reject the evil and
1 Thessalonians 5:20-22 20Do not despise prophecies, 21but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22Abstain from every form of evil.
1 John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
Jesus even commended the church in Ephesus for testing those who claimed to be prophets to find out if they were false or not.
Revelation 2:1-3 1"To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: 'The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.
2 "'I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 3I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary.