THE 4 MARKS OF THE CHURCH
Tracing the historical development of Christian doctrine from it’s infancy down to its modern day fruition.
“I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.“
-The First Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians 1:10
About this site
When people disagree on a topic, especially one they are both passionate about, it often leads to feelings of heartache, frustration, and even anger. This can be especially true of religion where both sides can be well-meaning, but are hampered by misunderstandings, differences in how they define certain words, and a lack of good communication.
Why does this disagreement in the faith we profess lead to so much heartache? It is due, at least in part, to the pain of separation. The pain of a broken family. The pain of a body that no longer functions in unison.
We are Christ’s Body. We are meant to function in unity. We are meant to be one in Spirit.
This website’s intention is to help bring about that unity by using both a Biblical and a historical approach to Apologetics to help better communicate and clarify some of the doctrines that have developed over time. Hopefully one day, with the help of God’s grace, we can end our pain of separation and Christians will once again find themselves united in Spirit, functioning as one Body in Christ.
What are the Four Marks of the Church?
“For while the hot restlessness of heretics stirs questions about many articles of the Catholic faith, the necessity of defending them forces us both to investigate them more carefully, to understand them more clearly, and to proclaim them more earnestly; and the question mooted by an adversary becomes the occasion of instruction.”
-St. Augustine of Hippo, (354-430 A.D.)
“The City of God”
Apologetics: Explaining & Defending the Faith
The term apologetics derives from the ancient Greek word apologia (ἀπολογία). In the Classical Greek legal system, the prosecution delivered the kategoria (κατηγορία), or accusation, and the defendant replied with an apologia, or defense.
In the modern sense, Apologetics refers to systematic argumentation in defense of religious doctrines, usually through theological debates.
Explore the world of early Christianity with the writings of the Church Fathers
- What was early Christianity really like?
- How did the earliest Christians understand the writings that would eventually compose the New Testament?
- What did those Christians who were taught directly by the Apostles have to say?
- Why not find out by reading the letters of those early Christians in their own words?
“It doesn’t do to say that heresy produces the development of doctrine, because that annoys the theologians. But it is true to say that as a matter of history the development of doctrine has been largely a reaction on the Church’s part to the attacks of heresy.”
-Ronald Knox (1888-1957)
Early church history
- How the Bible developed over time.
- Early Bishops of Rome (Popes)
- Early Church Heresies
- Early Church Councils
- Early Church Archaeology
-For my children: Ella, Elias, Colton, & Corbin
May you always keep your faith and may you always lead others to it.