You not hear yourself? The 4the century Catholic church used its own 'discernment' in selecting works that 'maintain doctrinal purity' as taught by the Catholic Church (what you euphemistically call 'the Christian community', 'Apostolic tradition' and 'Christianity'). Works that 'heretics' (ie non-Catholic) used were rejected to suppress. 'contradictory forms' and show only a 'unified message that aligns' with the Catholic church.
How did JWs arrive at a clearer understanding of what the Bible teaches than other Christian denominations?
by slimboyfat 164 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
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joey jojo
The 19th century was a time of pseudoscience,medical quackery and blatant, un-regulated false advertising.
Combine this with the growing technology that allowed information to be spread faster and you have the perfect environment for charlatans to take advantage of unsuspecting and trusting people.
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aqwsed12345
@peacefulpete
First, it’s essential to recognize that the early Church’s discernment process for the canon was about preserving apostolic teaching rather than constructing a uniquely “Catholic” doctrine. The Church Fathers and bishops of the fourth century were focused on maintaining the teachings that had been handed down from the apostles—a teaching common to all Christians of that time, not just “Catholics” in the sense of a single institution. Terms like “Apostolic tradition” and “Christian community” reflect this shared commitment to the teachings of Jesus and the apostles as handed down consistently within the Church.
The Church’s rejection of certain texts was not about suppressing diversity for its own sake, but rather preserving doctrinal purity based on what the apostles taught. The Gnostic and other heretical texts presented ideas that were incompatible with core Christian beliefs (such as the physical resurrection of Christ, the goodness of creation, and the incarnation). These texts often contradicted the universally held doctrines taught by the apostles and retained in the earliest Christian writings. The purpose of the canon wasn’t to eliminate alternative voices but to ensure that what was passed down as Christian teaching truly aligned with the apostolic message.
The term “contradictory forms” isn’t about suppressing diversity in a general sense. Rather, it refers to teachings fundamentally at odds with the Christian message as received from the apostles. The early Church valued diversity in terms of local traditions and liturgical expressions, yet it also recognized that certain beliefs were incompatible with the faith handed down by the apostles. For example, Gnostic texts, such as the Gospel of Thomas or the Gospel of Judas, often presented a different understanding of salvation, the nature of Jesus, and the purpose of creation—concepts that contradicted core elements of the Christian faith.
Many early Christian communities naturally gravitated towards a core group of writings they found reliable and consistent with apostolic teaching long before the fourth century. While some variation existed regarding a few books, the core of the New Testament was already in place by the second century. Fourth-century councils like Hippo and Carthage did not impose an entirely new canon; rather, they formally recognized a consensus that had already been forming within the Christian community. This consensus was rooted in apostolic tradition rather than the unilateral decision of the Catholic Church.
It’s worth noting that Protestants today accept the same New Testament canon determined by the early Church. This canon wasn’t chosen to fit a “Catholic agenda” but was recognized for its authenticity and apostolic origins. If the early Church had simply sought to suppress dissent, we wouldn’t see the high level of historical and theological rigor that went into discerning the canon over centuries. Instead, we see a careful and deliberate process aimed at preserving what was genuinely apostolic and essential to the Christian faith.
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slimboyfat
The 19th century was a time of pseudoscience,medical quackery and blatant, un-regulated false advertising.
A bit like the 21st century then, only less so. 😁
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