The Roman See In The Early Church

How and why did the early church grow in the first four hundred years despite disincentives, harassment, and occasional persecution? In this unique historical study, veteran scholar Alan Kreider delivers the fruit of a lifetime of study as he tells the amazing story of the spread of Christianity in the Roman Empire. Challenging traditional understandings, Kreider contends the church grew because the virtue of patience was of central importance in the life and witness of the early Christians. They wrote about patience, not evangelism, and reflected on prayer, catechesis, and worship, yet the church grew--not by specific strategies but by patient ferment.

Clement of Rome's First Epistle to the Corinthians, one of the very few Christian texts having survived from the first century, is a supremely valuable historical document. Modern scholars affirm as much, although many have called into question whether Clement was a direct disciple of Sts. Peter and Paul, arguing instead that he lived and wrote many decades after the martyrdom of the apostles. In the groundbreaking Clement and the Early Church of Rome: On the Dating of Clement's First Epistle to the Corinthians, Msgr. Thomas J. Herron presents his rigorously researched conclusions and sketches out the significance of his findings. Clement's Epistle stands as an early example of the exercise of hierarchical--and Roman--authority in the Church. It is a disciplinary letter addressed with confident authority to a distant Church. About the Author Msgr. Thomas J. Herron served for many years as an official of the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. He was the English-language secretary for Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who later became Pope Benedict XVI. Msgr. Herron held a doctorate in biblical theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. Later in life, he taught at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary and served as a pastor in Philadelphia. He died of pancreatic cancer in 2004. Endorsements "His methods are rigorous. His writing is clear and unflinchingly honest. His tone is modest. Nevertheless, his conclusions are stunning. He argues very persuasively for the earlier dates; and then he proceeds to sketch out the significance of the early dating for history, theology, and apologetics. Did he succeed? Well, his work has been cited as authoritative by scholars as illustrious as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. And His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI is certainly not alone." --Scott Hahn, Bestselling Author and Popular Speaker "I am dependent . . . upon the brilliant analysis by Thomas J. Herron." --Dr. Clayton Jefford, St. Meinrad School of Theology, author of The Apostolic Fathers and the New Testament

Excerpt from The Roman See in the Early Church: And Other Studies in Church History The second paper may serve as a companion sketch to The Episcopate of St. Basil in the writer's Waymarks in Church History. The fourth, fifth, and sixth were originally written for a Summer Meeting of Clergy at Oxford. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

The Roman See in the Early Church and Other Studies in Church History by William Bright is a classic work in the field of Church history. This book offers a detailed analysis of the history of the Roman See and other aspects of Church history. Bright's work is an essential resource for anyone interested in this fascinating field of study. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

of the Pope." --Book Jacket.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

Winner of a 2020 Catholic Press Association book award (first place, best new religious book series). The first three centuries of the Christian faith were a period of missionary zeal, deep thought, and tribulation. In The Early Church (33–313): St. Peter, the Apostles, and Martyrs, Catholic historian and biblical expert James Papandrea dispels what he calls common “mythconceptions” about the early years of Christianity. Tracking the challenges of heresy and persecution throughout the period, Papandrea shines a spotlight on the earliest saints and explores the growth and development of the new Church. The first Apostles spread the message of Jesus Christ and were willing to suffer and die for their faith. The next generations of believers followed their example, producing inspiring martyrs including Polycarp, Justin, Perpetua, and Sebastian, and great thinkers such as Irenaeus, Tertullian, and Eusebius. In The Early Church (33–313), author and historian James Papandrea presents a clear account of the Church’s first three centuries and provides evidence to refute fourteen commonly held beliefs about the Catholic Church. You will learn: No money or power was attached to being a bishop or priest in the early Church. Christian holidays were not adaptations of pagan celebrations. Christians have never believed in an eternal life for souls without bodies. The doctrine of the Trinity was not forced upon the Church by Constantine, but rather was a belief from the beginning of Christianity. With clear explanation and inspiring stories, Papandrea sorts through what we do and don’t know about the early Church and enables Catholics and fellow Christians to make sense of the Church’s beginnings.