After debating with some Catholics for quite some time I agreed to read up on the other side of the debate - I think every protestant should read this book by Karl Keating.

The lone Reformed representative whose work is addressed ('Roman Catholocism') is Lorraine Boettner.

But the major concern for me - which is always an area that stumps me - is the writings and beliefs held by the ECF's (early church fathers). I think every reasonable Protestant admits that there was an Early Church established by the Apostles - of course we believe they went astray and fairly early. But in reading statements by the ECF's its hard to get around the seeming possibility that they held some very Catholic perspectives regarding the Lord's Supper (real presence) and even Baptism, Praying for the Dead and Purgatory. What are we to make of this???

Let's be honest, Election was never intended to be a primary doctrine - in reading the Bible we may all agree that is quite evident. It became a predominant teaching when Pelagism appeared on the scene. But aside from Augustine - Grace in a predestrian/electing sense did not seem to be prominent in the early church.

Now don't get me wrong - I'm not looking to convert back to Catholocism. But I do believe it is all of our responsibilities to objectively step outside of our belief systems and look at church history and see the other side of the story - or try to obtain an objective source which is very difficult.

I realize much of Catholic doctrine in exercise became twisted and corrupted but I wonder if that was more a product of the people and not necessarily the validity of the teachings.

I don't think i'll ever buy into the papacy or Mariology but some of the teachings and writings of the ECF's seem to indicate an acknowledgement of many of the beliefs and practices we see today in the Catholic Church.

What do you guys think? - I'd like some feeback especially from those who have done some research into the early church and the origins of doctines.

thanks

ajc

Last edited by AJC; Tue Nov 14, 2006 3:51 PM.
The mercy of God is necessary not only when a person repents, but even to lead him to repent, Augustine