Why this ignorance of true church history?

Question

It is a fact that many Protrestants don't recognize many or any Christians by name between St. Paul and Martin Luther. But they do recognize that they split from the First Church of Rome.

On the other hand staunch members of the First Church of Rome fail to or never admit the hundreds of protests and splits from their church prior to Martin Luther.

Why do you think this ignorance of history exists in both groups? Is it a lack of study, the teachings of each group, or have historians failed to present the facts? What is your opinion?

Answer 1

I have read of many of the attempts to clean out the false teachings of the catholic church by various persons and groups by reading their historic accounts in magazines like the watchtower ans awake published by the JWs

Answer 2

I am a Christian who would fall under the 'protestant' label and I have studied Church history.

I would agree with you that many do not know the history of the Church, whether through lack of teaching or what I don't know.

When I first became a Christian, the church I attended had a simple teaching class for 'new' Christians which included teaching on church history, since then I have studied it deeper myself.

I have no problem recognising many Christians between Paul and Martin Luther, I also have no problem recognising that, as you call it. the first church of Rome, altered and added so much to what we read about in the Bible that they became virtually unrecognisable to what is seen in the Bible. (I can provide a list of additions and dates etc but it is very long).

The reformation was simply that, a reforming of the Church according to scripture not man made tradition.

Sorry I digress from your question here...

For some, on both sides, I believe Church history can contain 'unpleasant' reading, and as such is ignored. (the unpleasant reading is always caused by man acting in an un-Christian manner within the Church)

For some there is a lack of interest in this part of history believing simply that what is happening now is really what is relevant and so on.

JB

Answer 3

I would like to point out that Lutherans do look to many church fathers before Martin Luther and after St. Paul. One of the biggest is St. Augustine. But there others that are studied and followed.

But to other people's comments:
And yet the Western Church and the Pope decided in 800AD to split from the Constantinople, when the Pope decided to coronate Charlemagne. What right or mandate did the Pope have to go against his Empress and coronate a new Emperor?

Yet they claim to have never split from and claim the title of the "True Church." I guess if you already had an Emperor-Empress and took your orders from the Constantinople for 500 years, then you really would be splitting yourself politically and religiously from Christendom, as Constantine established Constantinople has the head of the Empire.

Answer 4

Protestants didn't split from the first church of Rome.

They split from the first and only church that was paid for, founded, authorized, empowered, and personally guaranteed forever, by Jesus Christ.

They split from the church of the authentic and Holy Eucharist ... the definitive sacrifice of the new covenant.

They split from the church of the authentic Holy Spirit.

They split from the church of the apostles, the Blessed Virgin Mary, the martyrs, and the saints.

They split from the church that converted the emperor of Rome.

They split from the church that converted the Roman empire.

They split from the church that converted most of the known world to Christ.

They split from the church that compiled, wrote, and canonized all the authentic holy scripture contained in the Bible, and the church that fearlessly defended all the truths of the Christian faith, with its' own life.

They split with the church that saved western civilization after Rome fell, and the church that rebuilt western civilization, in the image of heaven, when no one else could.

And when that church was beset by the forces of evil, and faced with corruption from within, they split ... rather than staying and fighting ... splintering the forces of Christianity in such a way, so as to allow evil to have a holiday ... a holiday which continues right up to the present day.

The only reason this "house divided" still stands at all is due to the awesome power of God, and the unity of the Holy Spirit.

And I have no doubt, come Judgment Day, when all will be revealed, that many who believe themselves to be holy servants of God, whether Catholic or otherwise, will wish they were never born.

That is the only "history" that really matters, and nobody will be able to rewrite it, or pretend that it doesn't exist!

Answer 5

The facts were and still are hidden from the average believer. The reasons are manifold, mammon is the first, power is the second...etc..etc.....
It is of vital importance to a religious organization to have strong believers, not questioning and constantly challenging "want to knowers"!
Martin Luther questioned and challenged the authorities of the Roman Catholic Church, and see what happend!
A well functioning religious organization has an insipid provincial membership which keeps it aloft and with a never ending cache of lucre.

Answer 6

It all hinges around one little verse in the Gospels, that the Roman Catholics claim Peter received the one and only 'franchise' of the Christian church, although that one little verse is proved NOT to say what the Catholic Church claims in about six or seven other verses, they still insist it gives them the right to 'the keys' to heaven. The RCC still upholds the doctrine that only Roman Catholics will receive salvation, most members say this has been changed, but it REMAINS as a pillar of the RCC catechism.

Answer 7

The Catholic Church acknowledges every heresy that sprang up prior to Luther's. However, none of those groups persisted as separate churches. That's what sets Protestantism apart from earlier heretical movements. The Catholic Church is well acquainted with early Christian history, since all Christian history for 1,000+ years after Christ is Catholic history. Why wouldn't the Catholic Church be knowledgeable about its own history. Protestants on the other hand have much to lose from knowing history, so they often either ignore it altogether or make up fanciful versions of it. To know Christian history is to reject Protestantism.
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Answer 8

Lack of study, laziness, and fear on the part of the clergy. Ignorance of the resources and issues on the part of the laity (and probably a bit of laziness also).

Answer 9

Religion/ sectarianism/ faction/ denomination are all evil. See Paul's comments on the NT