Common Myths about Church History

Myth: The Church Fathers Were All Explicitly Catholic

Catholics call important figures who were around relatively early in Christian history "Church Fathers." Note, however, that these people lived mostly hundreds of years after Christ (even 700 years later). Regardless, many of these people did use the term "catholic" in regard to the church, but this word means universal, as in the universal church, not necessarily the Roman Catholic Church (see here).

Early references to the authority of the church in Rome or the Bishop of Rome are conspicuously lacking. However, you will often find Catholics asserting that there is an abundance of early evidence. Ask them to be more specific.

Now there is evidence against of opposition to any Roman authority above other churches. Tertullian, for example, rejected an edict from the Bishop of Rome and seems to have sarcastically given him titles which the Pope now claims, since this bishop was attempting to command other churches. Note that Pontifex Maximus was the term for the chief pagan priest.

The Pontifex Maximus—that is, the bishop of bishops—issues an edict: "I remit, to such as have discharged (the requirements of) repentance, the sins both of adultery and of fornication." O edict, on which cannot be inscribed, "Good deed!" And where shall this liberality be posted up? On the very spot, I suppose, on the very gates of the sensual appetites, beneath the very titles of the sensual appetites.

On Modesty, Chapter 1, by Tertullian

In addition, one of the decrees of the Council of Nicaea is that certain bishops will rule over their own areas, and Rome is not given authority over all, and this is only a sampling of evidence.

"The Bishop of Alexandria shall have jurisdiction over Egypt, Libya, and Pentapolis. As also the Roman bishop over those subject to Rome. So, too, the Bishop of Antioch and the rest over those who are under them. If any be a bishop contrary to the judgment of the Metropolitan, let him be no bishop."

The First Council of Nicaea

Myth: The Popes Can Be Traced Back to Simon Peter

It is strongly indicated that the early Roman church was in fact ruled by multiple elders, rather than a head bishop like the pope. Take this passage from the Shepherd of Hermas, a book written in Rome in the second century, as an example:

"Therefore, you will write two little books and send one to Clement and one to Grapte. Clement shall then send it to the foreign cities, because that is his duty. Grapte shall instruct the widows and orphans. But you shall read it to this city along with the elders who preside over the Church."

Shepherd of Hermas, Chapter 8, by Hermas

Clement is meant to have been a Pope, yet not he alone, but elders reside over the church. Again, later that century or in the third century, Hippolytus wrote that there was a bishop of the church named Victor, rather than Victor, the bishop.

"But after a time, there being in that place other martyrs, Marcia, a concubine of Commodus, who was a God-loving female, and desirous of performing some good work, invited into her presence the blessed Victor, who was at that time a bishop of the Church."

Refutation of All Heresies, Book IX, Chapter 7, by Hippolytus

Myth: All Christians Were Catholic Until 500 Years Ago

Without debate, Catholics with any knowledge of history will admit that there was a great schism in 1054 where the Eastern Church split from the West, and the resulting Eastern Orthodox churches have continued ever since. Therefore, this talking point is silliness from the beginning.

More importantly though, it is also unquestionable that there were Coptic Christians, Ethiopian Christians, Syriac Christians, etc., from the early years of Christianity. Proving that these were all in obedience to Rome cannot be done with historical evidence or with the Bible. There is even strong evidence that Rome was neither in control, nor treated as superior by most other churches near it early on, even if it tried. See the quote from the Council of Nicaea above.

Myth: The Roman Catholic Church Has Had Perfect Doctrinal Consistency

Catholics maintain that doctrine can be presented differently to meet the challenges of the day, but that it does not change. Though still a popular idea among Catholics, doctrine has been debated and changed many times through the years, and it is impossible to honestly hold this position is the face of the evidence.

As an example, charging interest on loans (usury) was officially banned by the Third Lateran Council, and if anyone was known to practice this, he was not to be allowed communion at the alter or a Christian burial. This view is reaffirmed in

, where all interest on loans is forbidden, not only excessive interest:

"One cannot condone the sin of usury by arguing that the gain is not great or excessive, but rather moderate or small; neither can it be condoned by arguing that the borrower is rich; nor even by arguing that the money borrowed is not left idle, but is spent usefully..."

Vix pervenit, Pope Benedict XIV

It is not very long, so feel free to read it, and keep in mind that the ruling of the council is meant to be absolutely unchangeable, as such councils are "infallible." Even so, the Catholic Church itself now invests and receives interest, and the practice receives nearly universal acceptance. Catholic Answers provides a weak justification based on changing circumstances and acknowledges the present reality:

“Today, things look very different. Catholic schools invest their money to get a return, lending at interest is virtually universally accepted, and no contemporary theologian or pope objects.”
By Christopher Kaczor

Read here and here for more on Catholic doctrinal changes.