THE TEACHINGS OF THE CHURCH FATHERS

EDITED BY JOHN R. WILLIS, S.J.

SAN FRANCISCO

IGNATIUS PRESS

Original edition of The Teachings of the Church Fathers

© 1966, Herder and Herder, New York

With ecclesiastical approval

All rights reserved

New edition printed by permission of

The Society of Jesus, New England Province

Cover art: Christ in Majesty and Crucifixion

Manuscript cover, gilt silver and jeweled plaque

English, 11th cent., M.708, front cover

Copyright The Pierpont Morgan Library/Art Resource, New York

The Pierpont Morgan Library, New York

Cover design by Roxanne Mei Lum

© 2002 Ignatius Press, San Francisco

All rights reserved

ISBN 0-89870-893-1

Library of Congress Control Number 2002105238

Reginae Societatis Jesu

Contents

Foreword

Introduction

I

revealed religion

1. The notion of religion

2. Natural religion exists in man

3. Revelation merits the assent of human reason

4. Revelation is morally necessary for us in the present order

5. The Gospel—senses of the word: one and four

6. The genuineness of the four Gospels was acknowledged by Christian antiquity

7. The witnesses who assert the genuineness of the Gospels are worthy of belief

8. The four Gospels contain true history

9. Jesus Christ truly came into the world as a divine legate

10. The prophecies prove this divine mission to be fulfilled in Christ

11. Christ’s miracles prove His divine mission

12. Christ’s prophecies prove His divine mission

13. The resurrection of Christ rests on arguments that are certain

14. The wonderful propagation and perpetuity of Christianity prove its divine origin

15. Christian virtues versus pagan vices

16. Martyrdom is a testimony of the truth of the Christian religion

17. The internal nature of Christian doctrine proves its divinity

II

the church

18. Jesus Christ instituted a society which was to last forever which He called His Church

19. The Church was to continue Christ’s own life on earth

20. The Church is hierarchically constituted

21. Heretics and schismatics are not members of the Church

22. The Church is necessary for all men to attain their salvation

23. The true Church of Christ can be recognized by certain notes

24. Sanctity of principles and members belongs only to the true Church of Christ

25. Unity of faith and government belongs only to the true Church of Christ

26. Catholicity belongs only to the true Church of Christ

27. Apostolicity belongs only to the true Church of Christ

28. Among the apostles Peter received the primacy of jurisdiction in the Church from Christ

29. Peter founded his chair at Rome and instituted a Roman bishop as his successor in the primacy

30. The Roman pontiffs have always attributed the primacy to themselves

31. Bishops were the legitimate successors of the apostles

32. The Church is infallible in transmitting Christ’s doctrine

33. The Roman pontiff is infallible when teaching ex cathedra

34. The bishops assembled in ecumenical council have always been recognized as infallible judges ...