One thing I have been doing over the last few years is looking at some of the practices of the older traditional church groups like Catholic and Orthodox.
This started when I did a unit online at Tabor called, “The story of the church”. It was an overview of all the key people and events down through the ages. I had one unit to finish another qualification, so I chose that one.
Doing this unit helped me to realise that I had mainly been studying the Bible and church practices since the Reformation in the 16th century. I was missing a large part of my Christian heritage.
Doing this led me to read the early church fathers of the first to third centuries. I read the writings of people like Polycarp, Clement and Iraneus. I also read the Didache or the Teaching of the Twelve Apostles and the various ecumenical church councils.
It gave me a glimpse in to their worlds and what church was like for them. It talked about their issues they faced, the persecution, instructions on church and how to live a godly life.
One thing I also found as time went on was a connection to the “communion of the saints” that we say when we read the Apostles Creed. I was part of the visible church on the earth and the invisible church in heaven, those who have lived and died before us.
I have found reading these things have really enriched my life. I have a greater appreciation of my faith in Christ and the faith and struggles my Christian brothers and sisters have faced down through the ages.
If you are interested in reading the writings of the early church, most are available online for free. However, one of the best ways is to download the free program e-sword. It is a free Bible program that includes a lot of free resources like the early church fathers. I have used it for about 20 years!
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