Eternal Christendom Podcast #19 | Christ's Church is Roman, Part 1 (Interview: Dr. Alan Fimister)
Apr 23, 2025
In this captivating discussion, Dr. Alan Fimister, a Catholic theologian and historian, argues that the Church founded by Jesus Christ holds a profound Roman identity, as seen through a historical and theological lens. He delves into the implications of recognizing the Roman nature of the Church and how this shapes our understanding of its past and future. Fimister also addresses Old Testament prophecies, the role of ecclesiastical traditions, and the complexity of Catholic identity, offering a thought-provoking journey through history and faith.
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Church as Roman Wayfaring State
- The Church founded by Christ is essentially Roman, not just the papacy but including the lay power of the Roman Empire.
- This Roman character was prophesied in the Old Testament and fulfilled in the New, making the Church a wayfaring Roman state.
Discovering Byzantine Empire as Teen
- As a teenager, Alan discovered the Byzantine Empire while hiding from gym class in the library.
- He was surprised to learn the Roman Empire continued in the East for nearly a thousand years after 500 AD.
Europe’s Civilization is Roman
- European civilization is the history of a political institution governed from Rome.
- This institution was spiritually illumined and physically degraded by age but was revived by the Catholic Church, the religion which saved it.
