Handed Down: The Catholic Faith of the Early Christians by James L. Papandrea

so much Protestants think that there’s a very good distinction among sleek Catholicism and first-centuries Christianity. yet during this exploration of historical past and early theological writings, Papandrea (a former Protestant minister) indicates that there’s truly a gorgeous similarity.
In passed Down: The Catholic religion of the Early Christians, James L. Papandrea (Seven Revolutions) examines that the majority the most important period within the transmission of Christian fact: the time of the early Church. in the course of these few centuries following the apostolic age, the bright and holy pastors, lecturers, and writers often called the Church Fathers took the gospel they bought and constructed the doctrines and practices that outlined the Christian religion.
And that faith of the Fathers maintains today—faithfully stored, shiny and alive—in the Catholic Church.
The essence of Christianity is that this: we carry quickly to what we got via those that got here prior to us. From Jesus and the apostles to believers all through heritage, God’s saving revelation has been proclaimed, preserved, and handed on, each one iteration no longer inventing the religion for itself yet staying precise to the culture it got.
Papandrea demonstrates that the early Christians have been decisively Catholic in how they acted and what they believed in, including:
•The authority of the Church and Sacred culture as well as Scripture
•The sacraments, together with the genuine Presence of Christ within the Eucharist
•An ecclesial hierarchy with monks, bishops, and a pope
•A theology of salvation that incorporated the significance of works and loose will
•Prayers and devotions to the saints and the Blessed Virgin Mary
More than a compilation of Patristic prooftexts (important even though those are), passed Down deals a desirable window into the lifetime of the early Church and the teachings it holds for us at the present time. It’s excellent for history-conscious Protestants trying to find a pleasant safeguard of Catholic trust, in addition to for Catholics who are looking to deepen their reference to our forefathers within the Faith.