Catholicism: The What and the Why
One of History's greatest theologians and writers Augustine of Hippo said in regards to the Catholic Church, "Indeed, I would not believe in the Gospel myself if the authority of the Catholic Church did not move me to do so." In addition to this, the Apostle Paul said of the Church, "But
if I tarry long, that thou may know how thou ought to behave
thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the
pillar and ground of the truth." G.K. Chesterton, the acclaimed English author and jack-of-all-trades, said wittily of Catholicism, "The Catholic Church is like a thick steak, a glass of red wine, and a good cigar."
So, what is this thing we call Catholicism? Why does it exist? This post and this blog as a whole will strive to answer these two simple questions. As we shall see, this task cannot be accomplished in just a few, pithy articles or even 1,000 of them. The beautiful riches of the Catholic Church are innumerable, waiting to be mined, and the vast depths of Her knowledge are there to be explored and understood. In our day and age today, the truths of Catholicism stand out like a beacon, like a bold citadel, shining light into the murky throes of falsehood and standing resolute against the challenging hordes of evil.
The Catholic Church is One; She is united under one banner of truth and is guarded through the ages by men of God against all heresies, schisms, and apostasies. Despite the countless groups which have split off from Her unity, She remains integral in her beliefs and steadfast in Her faith, fulfilling through the centuries Christ's prayer "that they may be one" (John 17:11).
The Catholic Church is Holy; Though Her individual members be often weak and frail in spirit, She nevertheless stands strong and whole against all evil and wickedness. Imbued with the power of the Holy Ghost, She has weathered the physical, bloody onslaught of countless pagan emperors and peoples and has deflected and preached out against the dark heresies which seek to corrupt the mind and to subdue it. The Church is indeed holy because of the holiness and sanctity of Her Founder, Jesus Christ. Like a bride is wedded to a groom, the Church is wedded to Christ (Ephesians 5:21-33) and so is sanctified and glorified.
The Catholic Church is indeed Catholic, coming from the Greek word meaning 'Universal'. She is the great and all-encompassing family of God, drawing men from all places and ages to share in the wonderful treasures of the city of God. Unlike the Old Covenant which God made with the Jewish people, the New and better Covenant is made not only with the Jews but with all peoples, both Jew and Gentile. As Jesus commanded His Apostles in Matthew 28:19-20, "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age."
The Catholic Church is Apostolic; She has a mighty chain of unbroken links going straight back to the time when our Lord Jesus Christ established His Church, building it on the foundation of the Apostles (Ephesians 2:20), and entrusting to Peter the Apostle the special role of leader, guide, and teacher of this Church (Matthew 16:17-19, Luke 22:31-32, John 21:15-17, Acts 15:6-11). From the beginning, the Apostles have appointed new bishops, deacons, and presbyters (priests) by the laying on of hands (1st Timothy 5:22, Titus 1:5, Hebrews 6:2). Also, in Acts 1:21-26, the Apostles of Christ act promptly in filling the vacant office of Judas Iscariot with a new man, Matthias. In both the New Testament and in the testimony of the various early Church Fathers, we see the Apostles and their successors teaching, rebuking, establishing, excommunicating, ministering, explaining, refuting, and altogether carrying on the mission of the Church.
In conclusion, we have seen what the the Catholic Church is and thus have somewhat of an understanding as to why we need the Catholic Church. In fact, we have barely even begun to expound upon the truths of Catholicism, to which this whole blog will be dedicated. I hope to show that in Catholicism, we find the fullness and beauty of God's truth which He has bestowed upon us. And so, let us begin our work, setting our hand to the plow, and not ever looking back.
So, what is this thing we call Catholicism? Why does it exist? This post and this blog as a whole will strive to answer these two simple questions. As we shall see, this task cannot be accomplished in just a few, pithy articles or even 1,000 of them. The beautiful riches of the Catholic Church are innumerable, waiting to be mined, and the vast depths of Her knowledge are there to be explored and understood. In our day and age today, the truths of Catholicism stand out like a beacon, like a bold citadel, shining light into the murky throes of falsehood and standing resolute against the challenging hordes of evil.
The Catholic Church is One; She is united under one banner of truth and is guarded through the ages by men of God against all heresies, schisms, and apostasies. Despite the countless groups which have split off from Her unity, She remains integral in her beliefs and steadfast in Her faith, fulfilling through the centuries Christ's prayer "that they may be one" (John 17:11).
The Catholic Church is Holy; Though Her individual members be often weak and frail in spirit, She nevertheless stands strong and whole against all evil and wickedness. Imbued with the power of the Holy Ghost, She has weathered the physical, bloody onslaught of countless pagan emperors and peoples and has deflected and preached out against the dark heresies which seek to corrupt the mind and to subdue it. The Church is indeed holy because of the holiness and sanctity of Her Founder, Jesus Christ. Like a bride is wedded to a groom, the Church is wedded to Christ (Ephesians 5:21-33) and so is sanctified and glorified.
The Catholic Church is indeed Catholic, coming from the Greek word meaning 'Universal'. She is the great and all-encompassing family of God, drawing men from all places and ages to share in the wonderful treasures of the city of God. Unlike the Old Covenant which God made with the Jewish people, the New and better Covenant is made not only with the Jews but with all peoples, both Jew and Gentile. As Jesus commanded His Apostles in Matthew 28:19-20, "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age."
The Catholic Church is Apostolic; She has a mighty chain of unbroken links going straight back to the time when our Lord Jesus Christ established His Church, building it on the foundation of the Apostles (Ephesians 2:20), and entrusting to Peter the Apostle the special role of leader, guide, and teacher of this Church (Matthew 16:17-19, Luke 22:31-32, John 21:15-17, Acts 15:6-11). From the beginning, the Apostles have appointed new bishops, deacons, and presbyters (priests) by the laying on of hands (1st Timothy 5:22, Titus 1:5, Hebrews 6:2). Also, in Acts 1:21-26, the Apostles of Christ act promptly in filling the vacant office of Judas Iscariot with a new man, Matthias. In both the New Testament and in the testimony of the various early Church Fathers, we see the Apostles and their successors teaching, rebuking, establishing, excommunicating, ministering, explaining, refuting, and altogether carrying on the mission of the Church.
In conclusion, we have seen what the the Catholic Church is and thus have somewhat of an understanding as to why we need the Catholic Church. In fact, we have barely even begun to expound upon the truths of Catholicism, to which this whole blog will be dedicated. I hope to show that in Catholicism, we find the fullness and beauty of God's truth which He has bestowed upon us. And so, let us begin our work, setting our hand to the plow, and not ever looking back.
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