Cut off from Christian History

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aspen

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Yes I was cut off from Christian history when I was a Protestant and I was often left groping around in the dark and reinventing the wheel when I should have been growing in my faith. Without studying the Apostolic Fathers, I was left without understanding of my Christian heritage.

I am reading Origen of Alexandria right now, and I am gaining a great deal of understanding, which I was not taught as a Presbyterian.

Have you read church history? Do you understand how doctrines like the Trinity and the Incarnation of Christ were developed? Have you read about the council of Nicene?

As the US stumbles through the presidency of a man who has no understanding/interest in the history of the US or of western civilization, I have realized that many Americans are living their lives disconnected from history.

Is history important? Are we supposed to just wing it? Without any idea about the people who lived before us?

is anti-intellectualism going to be our downfall?
 

Enoch111

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I am reading Origen of Alexandria right now...
Just be very careful of Origen. Even some in the Catholic Church were wary of him.

Origen did have a penchant for speculating beyond what was explicitly stated in the Bible,and this habit frequently placed him in the hazy realm between strict orthodoxy and heresy. Wikipedia
 
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aspen

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Just be very careful of Origen. Even some in the Catholic Church were wary of him.

Origen did have a penchant for speculating beyond what was explicitly stated in the Bible,and this habit frequently placed him in the hazy realm between strict orthodoxy and heresy. Wikipedia

Indeed. Good warning.

History is not scripture
 
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Grailhunter

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You sound like a seeker of truth. Good luck with that. There are approximately 38,000 different protestant denominations and around
a million non-denominational churches, where belief is a personal thing. Believe no one or any translation, look it up for yourself. You will need to study the culture and time period and the languages of the Old and New Testament. The general history of Judaism and Christianity, concentrating on the counsels and the debates thereof. Things are not as they seem.
 

Enoch111

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Things are not as they seem.
What you should have said is "Things are not as complicated as they seem".

Based on what you have posted, knowing God's truth would be a daunting task. But it is not. While it is helpful to know all the things listed, the primary occupation of a Christian should be the study and application of the written Word of God -- the Holy Bible.

BTW you call yourself "Grailhunter", but the legend of the Holy Grail is just that -- a legend.
 

Episkopos

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One could try going the human history route...or going directly to God like the 120 did by tarrying before the Lord back in the day. It's now called a revival...a revival of the Pentecost experience where the fire came down and filled people with all truth and power.

That's what is missing in the modern church. The actual authority of God by the Spirit. And I'm not talking just signs and wonders for the unbelievers. We need actual spiritual direction by the Spirit. In His power and authority.

There are many who think the bible replaces God's real presence and direction. So we have a modern church that is anemic and religious...and has no effect in the world. The devil and his principalities are not moved by bible study...but by faith in a living God who intervenes in history.
 
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Grailhunter

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What you should have said is "Things are not as complicated as they seem".

Based on what you have posted, knowing God's truth would be a daunting task. But it is not. While it is helpful to know all the things listed, the primary occupation of a Christian should be the study and application of the written Word of God -- the Holy Bible.

BTW you call yourself "Grailhunter", but the legend of the Holy Grail is just that -- a legend.
 

prism

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History is not scripture
But Scripture has plenty of inspired history, especially in the OT...

1 Corinthians 10:11 NASB
[11] Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.
 

Helen

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Oct 22, 2011
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Yes I was cut off from Christian history when I was a Protestant and I was often left groping around in the dark and reinventing the wheel when I should have been growing in my faith. Without studying the Apostolic Fathers, I was left without understanding of my Christian heritage.

I am reading Origen of Alexandria right now, and I am gaining a great deal of understanding, which I was not taught as a Presbyterian.

Have you read church history? Do you understand how doctrines like the Trinity and the Incarnation of Christ were developed? Have you read about the council of Nicene?

As the US stumbles through the presidency of a man who has no understanding/interest in the history of the US or of western civilization, I have realized that many Americans are living their lives disconnected from history.

Is history important? Are we supposed to just wing it? Without any idea about the people who lived before us?

is anti-intellectualism going to be our downfall?


Well knock me down with a feather.

I had no idea that you started off as a protestant Ron.
I thought you were dyed in the wool Catholic from a child.

But, in fact, don't you hate 'boxes'...I hate all the slots they try to put all christians into.
No one seems satisfied until the can put each one of us into some denominational slot! :rolleyes:

I am not an "anything"....I am no longer sure I wish to be called a "christian" either.... I don't align myself much with them, especially the TV ones!!! o_O
 

FHII

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Apr 9, 2011
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Yes I was cut off from Christian history when I was a Protestant and I was often left groping around in the dark and reinventing the wheel when I should have been growing in my faith. Without studying the Apostolic Fathers, I was left without understanding of my Christian heritage.

I am reading Origen of Alexandria right now, and I am gaining a great deal of understanding, which I was not taught as a Presbyterian.

Have you read church history? Do you understand how doctrines like the Trinity and the Incarnation of Christ were developed? Have you read about the council of Nicene?

As the US stumbles through the presidency of a man who has no understanding/interest in the history of the US or of western civilization, I have realized that many Americans are living their lives disconnected from history.

Is history important? Are we supposed to just wing it? Without any idea about the people who lived before us?

is anti-intellectualism going to be our downfall?
My love of history grew from my love for Christ. I wanted to know more about the evolution of the Church today.

I've read quite a bit from early church "fathers" as well as father's of protestantism. I put fathers in parentheses because that term is given to guys like Tertullian, Ireneaus and Augustine. But never to Peter, Paul or John. Those are really the Church fathers and I take offense when people say I have no backing from the early Church fathers, yet I quote the true ones.

So, I have read Tertullian, Ireneaus and Augustine. Also Calvin and Luther. My opinion on them is that they were brilliant at their job, but their job was to explain the Bible to the unbelievers, illiterate and new converts.

Take Augustine of Hippo for example... I read part of his work and didn't learn much new. But he was trying to explain a document (the scriptures) I already read.

I don't mean to suggest I am wiser then they, just that their writings weren't meant for me. But the historical reference is fascinating. Whether they were right or wrong, their writings are a testimony of the development of Christianity.

I enjoy reading them, but I do not look to them for doctrine or understanding.
 
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aspen

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My love of history grew from my love for Christ. I wanted to know more about the evolution of the Church today.

I've read quite a bit from early church "fathers" as well as father's of protestantism. I put fathers in parentheses because that term is given to guys like Tertullian, Ireneaus and Augustine. But never to Peter, Paul or John. Those are really the Church fathers and I take offense when people say I have no backing from the early Church fathers, yet I quote the true ones.

So, I have read Tertullian, Ireneaus and Augustine. Also Calvin and Luther. My opinion on them is that they were brilliant at their job, but their job was to explain the Bible to the unbelievers, illiterate and new converts.

Take Augustine of Hippo for example... I read part of his work and didn't learn much new. But he was trying to explain a document (the scriptures) I already read.

I don't mean to suggest I am wiser then they, just that their writings weren't meant for me. But the historical reference is fascinating. Whether they were right or wrong, their writings are a testimony of the development of Christianity.

I enjoy reading them, but I do not look to them for doctrine or understanding.

What I enjoy about their writings is learning from their experience - I agree with you that there is nothing new, however, I not looking for new information, I am looking for applied information. For example, Augustine’s experience living his faith at the end of the Roman Empire is fascinating and relevant for us today.
 
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ScottA

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Yes I was cut off from Christian history when I was a Protestant and I was often left groping around in the dark and reinventing the wheel when I should have been growing in my faith. Without studying the Apostolic Fathers, I was left without understanding of my Christian heritage.

I am reading Origen of Alexandria right now, and I am gaining a great deal of understanding, which I was not taught as a Presbyterian.

Have you read church history? Do you understand how doctrines like the Trinity and the Incarnation of Christ were developed? Have you read about the council of Nicene?

As the US stumbles through the presidency of a man who has no understanding/interest in the history of the US or of western civilization, I have realized that many Americans are living their lives disconnected from history.

Is history important? Are we supposed to just wing it? Without any idea about the people who lived before us?

is anti-intellectualism going to be our downfall?
That last question is not biblical.

Study is good, but do be careful. Solomon was correct: "Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh."

When history repeats itself, then beware. But if it does not, then you will never know if God has meant for good, what men have meant for evil.

Better to "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."
 

ScottA

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Well knock me down with a feather.

I had no idea that you started off as a protestant Ron.
I thought you were dyed in the wool Catholic from a child.

But, in fact, don't you hate 'boxes'...I hate all the slots they try to put all christians into.
No one seems satisfied until the can put each one of us into some denominational slot! :rolleyes:

I am not an "anything"....I am no longer sure I wish to be called a "christian" either.... I don't align myself much with them, especially the TV ones!!! o_O
Indeed, you are a Christian. And never doubt the appearance of a cloud overhead--in your case, it is God.
 

Heart2Soul

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You sound like a seeker of truth. Good luck with that. There are approximately 38,000 different protestant denominations and around
a million non-denominational churches, where belief is a personal thing. Believe no one or any translation, look it up for yourself. You will need to study the culture and time period and the languages of the Old and New Testament. The general history of Judaism and Christianity, concentrating on the counsels and the debates thereof. Things are not as they seem.
I posted a thread about the numerous denominations that now exist about a year ago and it is astonishing how they preach from the same bible but have different interpretations of it.