Yes, well...you won't get any argument from me. I agree with all you've said except I'm not sure the CC was in a state of change before the reformation. I'm not versed enough on this subject to know this.
For instance Moore died for his beliefs. It seems to me that there were some individual cases that saw the abuse of power in the church, but I don't see a general change, although, as I've said, I don't know this for sure.
Augustine CHANGED the original church. I know he's seen as one of the great minds of Christendom. But it's thanks to him that Mr. Calvin came along with his ideas, and I truly dislike Calvinism, for which I could thank Augustine. That would be predestination.
Infant baptism. This also was expoused by Augustine. And I'm sure you know why...
Original Sin. Original sin did not exist before him. It was not understood as he explained it. Augustine declares that we are imputed the sin of Adam. The bible clearly states that we are each responsible for our own sin. The CC says, now, that the sin of Adam is propogated to us which is different. I guess even they have decided to abandom, somewhat, Augustine's claims.
Let's see. What else...
Oh. In his earlier days, he stated that he knew where evil comes from, or how it got to be a part of all fibre in the universe. Interesting, since we still don't know. But, alas, before dying and as a wiser old man, he did declare that he was wrong and did not know how evil originated.
As to the early church... I'm sure you know what I'm talking about.
Pre the Nicene creed (not because I disagree with it). Pre Constantine.
Pre the chuch (small c) and state becoming one.
All one has to do is read the ECF. And the didache. What could be more simple? If we could just all agree on that.
(oh. And Augustine came out of gnosticism which affected his ideas)
Instead, no. We have some kind of new Christianity.
Watered down and of no use to anyone.
All we need to do is "believe" in Jesus and we're saved...
some don't even know what believe in the greek means.
Jesus did it all, we need do nothing.
The Law is dead.
The Law has been abolished.
We're under the new covenant which requires nothing from us.
We were chosen before time to be saved.
The rest are going to hell.
Annihialism has reared its head.
Oh. And God is actually insulted if we try to help Him along by obeying Him.
So. Yes. I'm upset with how things are going for Christianity.
But I don't have the power to change it like Augustine did...and for what reason I still don't understand.
And might I add, that I know for sure that the CC is softening up as well. Although not as much as the Protestant churches.