@iWomansplainer 🧵
First, condolences, & eternal memory to your grandmother.
This is an intuitive analogy, but there are two fundamental differences:
1) Purpose of writing
2) The Liturgical action of the Church
I can perhaps unpack this a bit more later, but let's start with #1
Other than...
First, condolences, & eternal memory to your grandmother.
This is an intuitive analogy, but there are two fundamental differences:
1) Purpose of writing
2) The Liturgical action of the Church
I can perhaps unpack this a bit more later, but let's start with #1
Other than...
@iWomansplainer 🧵...the Gospels and Acts, none of the New Testament can qualify as memoir
The Pauline and Catholic epistles provide action snapshots of a Church-in-progress. The Pauline were written to specific audiences and for timely issues. They give clues, but are not generally explanatory
The Pauline and Catholic epistles provide action snapshots of a Church-in-progress. The Pauline were written to specific audiences and for timely issues. They give clues, but are not generally explanatory
@iWomansplainer 🧵The "Catholic" epistles (James, 1/2 Pet, 1/2/3 John, Jude) were written to a general audience, but are also very specific.
What we *do* learn from these letters is that the Church is 'the pillar and foundation of truth' (1 Tim 3:15) and - most importantly for the comparison...
What we *do* learn from these letters is that the Church is 'the pillar and foundation of truth' (1 Tim 3:15) and - most importantly for the comparison...
@iWomansplainer 🧵we see that this was not merely something to be remembered, but instructions to continually live out (which will lead to Point #2).
Paul commands his son-in-the-faith Timothy to lead with authority (1 Tim 1:1-7) and that he was responsible for saving himself and others (4:16)
Paul commands his son-in-the-faith Timothy to lead with authority (1 Tim 1:1-7) and that he was responsible for saving himself and others (4:16)
@iWomansplainer 🧵Paul likewise as spiritual father to Titus, commands him to keep to what he was taught and rebuke/discipline those who stray (Ti 1:9-11) with "all authority" (1:15)
This authority was continued, handed down, and expanded (Acts 1:21-26, 6:5-7, 15:6-30) to other people & offices
This authority was continued, handed down, and expanded (Acts 1:21-26, 6:5-7, 15:6-30) to other people & offices
@iWomansplainer 🧵What was the purpose of these letters? To contain everything? The author of John's Gospel did not think so (Jn 21:25)
Commission their own Disciples like Timothy, Titus, Clement, Barnabas, Silas and others (Mt 28:19) - to be overseers and shepherds (Ti 1:5) of what? And for...
Commission their own Disciples like Timothy, Titus, Clement, Barnabas, Silas and others (Mt 28:19) - to be overseers and shepherds (Ti 1:5) of what? And for...
@iWomansplainer 🧵...how long? Were they bishop only until the death of the last Apostle? Til the last word of Revelation was penned?
The 1st-3rd cent. witness mightn't be Scripture, but the history gives us clear indication that a living Church was established, one they thought would never die
The 1st-3rd cent. witness mightn't be Scripture, but the history gives us clear indication that a living Church was established, one they thought would never die
@iWomansplainer 🧵The documents like the Didache, Justin Martyr's "Apology", Clement's letter to the Corinthians, Ignatius of Antioch's 7 letters, Polycarp's letter to the Philippians...and more all show a living liturgical tradition, structured hierarchy, and visible boundaries to the Church. 
@iWomansplainer 🧵Which will bring us to Point #2, but for now I will take a break.
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