Fighting over Jesus in the First Two Centuries of the Church | Fr. Andrew Hofer, O.P.
Jun 12, 2024
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Fr. Andrew Hofer, O.P. discusses the early Church's Christological debates, conflicts over Jesus, and the fight against heresies. He highlights the importance of preserving faith, unity, and truth in the face of challenges and distortions in the first two centuries.
The concept of 'fighting over Jesus' encompassed understanding the deeper meaning behind his teachings amidst historical disputes.
St. John Paul II's encyclical 'Fides et Ratio' emphasized integrating faith into the pursuit of truth amidst modern skepticism and nihilism.
Deep dives
The Significance of Fighting Over Jesus in Early Christianity
Early Christianity witnessed debates and disagreements amidst Christological discussions. The concept of 'fighting over Jesus' encompassed understanding the deeper meaning behind Jesus' teachings, including his references to the sword as a symbol of division and struggle. Historical instances highlighted how early Christians engaged in disputes, leading to violent conflicts, emphasizing the need to preserve the core teachings of Jesus amidst differing interpretations and political influences.
The Relevance of St. John Paul II's Encyclical 'Fides et Ratio'
St. John Paul II's encyclical 'Fides et Ratio' addressed the contemporary crisis of meaning and knowledge fragmentation. Exploring the challenges posed by skepticism and nihilism, the encyclical emphasized the interplay between faith and reason in navigating the complexities of modern existence. By highlighting the search for meaning through faith and acknowledging the human spirit's quest for transcendence, St. John Paul II underscored the importance of integrating faith into the pursuit of truth and purpose.
Essence of Jesus' Role and Early Heresies Towards Christ's Dignity
The podcast delved into the essence of Jesus' divine nature and the early heresies that challenged his identity. Through figures like St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Irenaeus, the debate surrounding Christ's dignity and the significance of his incarnation were explored. These discussions revealed how the early church navigated various heresies that distorted the understanding of Jesus, emphasizing the importance of upholding the true essence of Christ's divinity and humanity in shaping Christian belief and doctrine.
This lecture was given on February 16th, 2024, at St. Joseph's in Greenwich Village.
For more information on upcoming events, visit us at thomisticinstitute.org/upcoming-events
About the speaker:
Originally from a farm in Kansas, Fr. Andrew Hofer, O.P., is a priest in the Dominican Province of St. Joseph who teaches on the pontifical faculty of the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, DC where he is editor-in-chief of The Thomist. He has authored Christ in the Life and Teaching of Gregory of Nazianzus (Oxford University Press, 2013) and The Power of Patristic Preaching: The Word in Our Flesh (The Catholic University of America Press, 2023). He is editor or co-editor of several volumes, including The Oxford Handbook of Deification, The Cambridge Companion to Augustine's Sermons, Thomas Aquinas and the Greek Fathers, Thomas Aquinas and the Crisis of Christology, and Thomas Aquinas as Spiritual Teacher.
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