And a path and a way shall be there, and it shall be called the
holy way:
the unclean shall not pass over it, and this shall be unto you a straight way
so that fools shall not err therein.
Isaiah 35, 8
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the
living God.” Jesus
replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was
not revealed to you by flesh
and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell
you that you are Peter, and on this rock
I will build my church, and the gates
of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the
keys of the kingdom of
heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and
whatever you
loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
Matthew 16, 16-19
My explications of the
Patristic texts
“But it has, on the other hand, been shown that the preaching of the Church is consistently
uniform everywhere, and it is supported by evidence from the prophets, the apostles, and all the
disciples. In the Church,” it is said, “God has appointed apostles, prophets, teachers, and all other
means through which the Spirit works. Those who do not join themselves to the Church are not
partakers of these, but instead deprive themselves of life through their misguided beliefs and
disgraceful behavior. For where the Church is, there is the Spirit of God, and where the Spirit of
God is, there is the Church and every kind of grace. The Spirit is truth.”
Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyons, was a Catholic theologian who wrote a book called “Against Heresies” that consisted of five volumes. In this book, Irenaeus aimed to criticize and refute the teachings of cults, which he believed deviated from the orthodox teachings of Christianity. The main targets of his criticism were the Gnostics and Marcionites. Irenaeus believed that the Gnostics’ interpretations of scripture were incorrect, particularly those by Valentinus. He argued against the Gnostics’ theory of God, which included various divine emanations or Aeons and a difference between the Monad and the Demiurge.
In contrast, Irenaeus believed in God's unity and goodness. He believed that God was one and that he created everything. Irenaeus used the Logos theology inherited from Justin Martyr to support his argument. He believed that the Logos, which means “word” or “reason,” was the second person
of the Trinity. He argued that the Logos was with God in the beginning and was
God. He also believed that the Logos became flesh, which is Jesus Christ.
In “Against Heresies,” Irenaeus highlighted the disparity between the Gnostics’ false arguments and the plain meaning of the Scriptures. He believed the Gnostics’ teachings were false because they contradicted the apostles’ teachings. He argued that the apostles had received their teachings from Jesus Christ himself. Therefore, he believed that the true teachings of Christianity were consistent with the teachings of the apostles.
In 3:24, Irenaeus emphasizes the consistency and continuity of the preaching of the Church, which is proven by the testimony of the prophets, apostles, and disciples. His text highlights the importance of the Church as the place “where God has set apostles, prophets, teachers, and all other means through which the Spirit works.” These means include the sacraments of the Church, such as baptism and the Eucharist, which are essential in receiving God’s grace and salvation. The text also underscores the negative consequences of not joining the Church, as those who do not partake in these means “defraud themselves of life through their perverse opinions and infamous behavior.” The Church is the only true way to receive God’s grace, and those who reject the Church reject the Spirit of God.
Furthermore, Irenaeus asserts that the Church is where the
Spirit of God is present. “Where the Spirit of God is, there is the Church and
every kind of grace. “The Spirit is truth,” meaning the Church is the only proper
way to receive God’s grace and salvation. Overall, the text stresses the
importance of the Church as the means through which individuals can receive
God’s grace and salvation and the negative consequences of rejecting the
Church.
Christ and Anti-Christ, 59
“We, who hope for the Son of God, are persecuted and oppressed by unbelievers. The churches are
like wings of vessels, and the world is the sea in which the Church is placed, resembling a ship in
the deep but never destroyed, as she is guided by the skilled Pilot, Christ. Within her, she carries
the trophy of victory over death, symbolized by the cross of the Lord. Just as the wind,
representing the Spirit from heaven, is present and seals those who believe, she also has strong
anchors made of iron, which are the holy commandments of Christ. The Church is also
accompanied by mariners on the right and left, similar to the holy angels, who continually govern
and defend her.”
St. Hippolytus metaphorically portrays the Church as a sturdy
ship navigating the unpredictable sea of the world under the guiding and
protective hand of Christ, who is likened to a skilled Pilot. The Church is
depicted as carrying the triumphant emblem of victory over death, symbolized by
the cross of the Lord, and it finds strength and support from the Spirit and
the sacred commandments of Christ. Furthermore, the mention of mariners on the
right and left signifies the continuous governance and defense of the Church by
the holy angels, emphasizing the steadfast protection and guidance it receives.
On Matthew, 12:11
Because of its strength, the gates of Hades do not prevail against it. The church, built by Christ
upon the rock, is impervious to the gates of Hades, which prevail against those outside the rock
and the church but have no power against it.”
The text portrays the rock as an impregnable force beyond the serpent’s reach and more robust than the gates of Hades that oppose it. Its impregnability is due to its exceptional strength, far greater than the gates of Hades’ capacity to overpower it through sin, scandals, or heresy victoriously. Origen notes that Christ, in His wisdom, built His Church on this rock foundation (Apostolic Magisterial ruling and teaching authority) incapable of admitting the gates of Hades. This foundation ensures that the Church is impervious to the gates of Hades, which can overcome anyone (dissenter or heretic) who is not within the rock’s confines and the church.
Origen emphasizes that the gates of Hades are powerless against
the church because the rock foundation upon which it is built is unassailable.
Thus, the Church can withstand any opposition, and the gates of Hades cannot
prevail against it. The passage highlights the Church’s unshakeable faith in
Christ, which is the foundation of its strength. As a symbol of this
foundation, the rock underscores the Church’s unyielding devotion to Christ,
ensuring it can overcome any challenge and remain steadfast in its faith.
Lactantius speaks about the prophecies of the prophets regarding the coming of Christ. According to these prophecies, Christ would be born with a physical body from the lineage of David. Furthermore, He would build an eternal temple in honor of God called the Church. This temple would unite all nations to worship the true God. It is emphasized that this Church is the faithful and everlasting temple. It is the only place where individuals can offer sacrifices and receive the reward of immortality. Therefore, all individuals are encouraged to sacrifice in this temple to receive the reward of eternal life.
Additionally, the text highlights that Christ was the builder of
this great temple and, therefore, He must have an everlasting priesthood. This
means that no one can approach the temple shrine or see God except through Him.
Christ’s priesthood is everlasting, and He is the only mediator between God and
man. Finally, the text refers to the sixth Psalm, where David teaches the same
truth. In this Psalm, David states that God had sworn that Christ would be a
priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. This means that Christ’s
priesthood is eternal, and He is the only way to approach God and receive
eternal life.
Hilary of Poitiers (A.D. 359)
On the Trinity, 7:4
“The Church, ordained by the Lord
and established by His Apostles, is one for all. However,
the discordant sects
have separated themselves from her in their frantic folly. These
dissensions concerning
the faith result from distorted minds that twist the words of
Scripture to fit
their opinions instead of adjusting their opinions to the words of Scripture.
Amid the clash of mutually destructive errors, the Church stands revealed not
only by her
teaching but also by her rivals. They are all ranged against her,
and the fact that she
stands alone is a sufficient answer to their godless
delusions. The hosts of heresy
assemble themselves against her; each can defeat
all the others, but not one can win a
victory for itself. The only victory is
the Church’s triumph over them all.”
Bishop Hilary argues that the Church is a single entity
established by the Lord and His Apostles. However, this unity has been
disrupted by the emergence of discordant Arian sects that have severed
themselves from the Church by rejecting the divinity of Christ. These sects
have distorted the words of Scripture to conform to their own opinions instead
of adjusting their views to the words of Scripture as defined by the
Magisterial authority of the Catholic Church. This has resulted in various
dissensions regarding the faith, which have led to a clash of mutually
destructive errors.
Hilary suggests that the root cause of these dissensions is a
distorted mind that twists the words of Scripture to fit its own opinions. This
is in contrast to the approach of the Church, which adjusts its views to the
words of Scripture. Scripture must be interpreted in light of the Apostolic
Tradition. The author contends that the Church’s approach is correct and that
the Church stands alone amidst the chaos of rival sects, proving the truth of
her teachings. He notes that the Church’s rivals are ranged against her and
that the very fact that she stands single and alone is her sufficient answer to
their godless delusions. This is because the Church’s teachings are based on
the accurate interpretation of Scripture, while the teachings of her rivals are based
on a distorted interpretation of Scripture.
The Bishop of Poitiers also suggests that while the various
sects can defeat each other, the Church’s triumph over all of them is the only
true victory. This is because the Church’s teachings are based on the truth of
Scripture, while the teachings of her rivals are based on a distorted
interpretation of Scripture. Overall, the text emphasizes the importance of
staying true to the teachings of the Church and not being misled by the errors
of other sects. It suggests that the Church’s unity and adherence to the proper
interpretation of Scripture are proof of her authority and truth.
Augustine of Hippo (A.D. 377)
Sermon to the Catechumens on the Creed, 14
“The Holy Church” is referred to as the temple of God. The apostle says, ‘For the temple of God is
holy, which (temple) are ye.’ This is the holy Church, the one Church, the true Church, the Catholic
Church, which fights against all heresies. It can be fought, but it cannot be defeated. Heresies
have all gone out of it like unprofitable branches pruned from the vine, but the Church remains in
its root, Vine, and charity. ‘The gates of hell shall not prevail against it.’”
Augustine emphasizes the significance of the holy Church as a
sacred temple of God. The writer identifies this holy Church as the one true
Catholic Church that fights against all heresies and remains unwavering in its
roots. He uses the metaphor of the Church as God’s temple to convey that it is
a sacred space, not just a physical building, but a community of believers
united in their faith. He highlights the importance of the Church’s fight
against heresies, false teachings that can lead believers astray from the
truth. The Church is depicted as a defender of the truth, which is grounded in
the teachings of Christ.
The Bishop of Hippo also emphasizes that the Church cannot be
defeated despite the challenges it may face. The Church is a resilient
community that draws strength from its roots, the Vine, and its message of
charity. He further explains that the Church, like a vine, prunes unprofitable
branches, symbolizing heresies and those who do not adhere to the Church’s
teachings. The Church remains steadfast in its roots, the Vine, and its message
of charity. The Church’s message of charity is essential to its teachings,
which promote love, tolerance, and compassion towards others. Finally, his text
affirms that “The gates of hell shall not prevail against it,” meaning that the
Church will always stand strong against all external attacks. The Church is a
resilient community that draws strength from its roots, the Vine, and its
message of charity.
John Chrysostom (A.D. 399)
Eutropius, 2:6
“Do not distance yourself from the Church, for nothing is stronger than the Church. The Church is
your hope, your salvation, your refuge. It is higher than heaven and wider than the earth. It
never grows old, but is always in full vigor. Therefore, the Holy Scripture calls it a mountain to
signify its solidity and stability. It is called a virgin to express its purity, a queen to express its
magnificence, and a daughter to express its relationship to God. To show its productiveness, it is
called barren who has borne seven…”
John Chrysostom suggests that it is essential to maintain a
close relationship with the Church. The Church is an unshakable institution,
stronger than any other, that can provide hope, salvation, and refuge to those
seeking it. Its vastness and universality are highlighted by the statement that
it is “higher than heaven and wider than the earth.” The Church is described as
always being in full vigor, never growing old, and always maintaining solidity
and stability. Holy Scriptures use various metaphors to describe the Church,
each highlighting a different aspect of its nature. The Church is called a
mountain to signify its solidity and stability, indicating that it is an
unshakable foundation that can withstand any storm. The Church is also compared
to a virgin, indicating its purity and the unblemished nature of its teachings.
A queen is another metaphor that describes the Church, highlighting its
magnificence and grandeur.
Lastly, the Church is called a daughter to express its
relationship to God, who is often referred to as the father. The text also uses
the expression “barren who has borne seven” to illustrate the Church’s
productivity. This phrase refers to a woman who was previously unable to bear
children but has since given birth to seven children. It signifies that the
Church, though it may seem unproductive or unable to achieve anything, is, in
fact, highly productive and fruitful in its work. In summary, the text suggests
that the Church is a powerful and reliable institution that can provide hope,
salvation, and refuge to those who seek it. Various metaphors and expressions
throughout the text highlight its vastness, stability, purity, magnificence,
relationship to God, and productivity.
Cyril of Alexandria (A.D. 429)
On Isaiah, 4
“’ I have raised him up a king with justice, and all his ways are right.’ The ways of Christ are right,
and he has built the holy city, that is, the church, wherein also he dwelleth. For he abideth in the
saints, and we have become temples of the living God, having Christ within us through the
participation of the Holy Spirit. He, therefore, founded a church, himself being the foundation, in
which we also, as rich and precious stones, are built into a holy temple, as a dwelling-place for
God in the spirit; the church, having Christ for a foundation, and an immoveable support, is
perfectly immoveable.”
Cyril of Alexandria is a notable figure in Church history. He
played an essential role in the First Council of Ephesus in 431, fighting for
the Marian title “Theotokos” (God-bearer). His efforts established the basis
for all subsequent Mariological developments in the Church. Cyril was an
Eastern Catholic theologian and bishop who was active during the 5th century.
He was primarily known for his campaign against Nestorius, the Bishop of
Constantinople, whose views on the nature of Christ were deemed heretical by
the Ecumenical Council.
The controversy centered around the two natures in Christ, as
Nestorius taught that there were two distinct persons, one human and one
divine, in Christ. Consequently, the Virgin Mary was the mother of the human
Jesus (Christokos). Cyril’s defense of the doctrine of the Incarnation was
particularly noteworthy. He argued that the one Person of Jesus was the divine
Son, the Second Person of the Trinity. Hence, Mary was the Mother of God. He is
also known for his exegetical writings, which were highly regarded for their
brilliance. Overall, Cyril’s importance for theology and Church history lies in
his efforts to champion orthodoxy against the heresy of Nestorius.
Isaiah 4 speaks of Christ as a just king whose ways are always right and proper. He is the one who has established the holy city, which is the church, and in which He now dwells. Through the participation of the Holy Spirit, we have become temples of the living God, with Christ within us. This is a testament to Christ’s divine nature, as He is the church’s foundation. Christ founded a church with Himself as the foundation, and this church is comprised of all the believers who have placed their faith in Him. The text speaks of us as rich and precious stones built into a holy temple, which serves as a dwelling place for God in the spirit. This highlights the intimacy of our relationship with God and how we are to be a reflection of Christ’s love in the world.
The text emphasizes the immovability of the church, which is
perfectly unshakeable due to Christ being its foundation and immovable support.
This means that the church is not subject to the whims of the world and that it
will endure forever. It is a testament to the power of Christ’s love and the
truth of His teachings. Overall, the text speaks to the significance of
Christ’s role in establishing the church and the importance of our relationship
with Him through the Holy Spirit. It emphasizes the church’s unshakeable nature
and our role as a reflection of Christ’s love in the world.
of the Catholic Faith, 59-60
charge, never changes anything in them, never diminishes, never adds, does not cut off what is
necessary, does not add what is superfluous, does not lose her own, does not appropriate what is
another’s, but while dealing faithfully and judiciously with ancient doctrine, keeps this one object
carefully in view…This, I say, is what the Catholic Church, roused by the novelties of heretics, has
accomplished by the decrees of her Councils–this, and nothing else–she has thenceforward
consigned to posterity in writing what she had received from those of olden times only by
tradition, comprising a great amount of matter in a few words, and often, for the better
understanding, designating an old article of the faith by the characteristic of a new name…What
but the Catholic and universal doctrine, which has continued one and the same through the
several successions of ages by the uncorrupt tradition of the truth and so will continue
forever–‘Receive him not into your house, neither bid him Godspeed, for he that biddeth him
Godspeed communicates with him in his evil deeds.’”
The text is an excerpt from a longer work of Christian theology,
and it speaks about the unchanging nature of the doctrines of the Catholic
Church. Vincent. Bishop of Lerins argues that the Church is “a careful and
watchful guardian of these doctrines and that she does not change anything in
them nor add anything superfluous or cut off what is necessary.” Instead, she
“faithfully and judiciously deals with ancient doctrine while keeping one
object carefully in view.” The author explains how the Catholic Church has
“consigned her doctrines to posterity in writing, preserving them for future
generations.” She has done this through “the decrees of her Councils, which
were created in response to the novelties of heretics.” The Church has been
roused by the novelties of heretics, who sought to introduce new and false
doctrines, and has responded by carefully preserving the ancient doctrines of
the faith.
Vincent of Lerins emphasizes that the Catholic Church has been
“faithful in transmitting what she received from those of olden times only by
tradition, comprising a great amount of matter in a few words and often
designating an old article of faith by the characteristic of a new name for
better understanding.” In other words, the Church has been “careful to preserve
the essence of the faith while making it accessible to the faithful.” The
author then stresses that the Catholic and universal doctrine has “continued
unchanged through several succession of ages by the uncorrupt tradition of the
truth and will continue forever.” This means that the doctrines of the Church
have remained unchanged over time and will continue to do so, as they are based
on the uncorrupt tradition of the truth.
Finally, the author concludes with a passage from the Bible,
advising his readers not to receive those who do not follow Catholic and universal doctrine into their homes or to bid them Godspeed. This is because those who do not follow the true faith are seen as opposing the
Church and its teachings, and to welcome them is to participate in their evil
deeds.
“And I will pray to the Father, and He will give you another
Helper,
that He may abide with you forever.”
John 14, 16
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