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Truth Unites

Was the Early Church Infallible? No, That's Not How it Works

Nov 22, 2023
Joshua Charles debates post-apostolic church infallibility in the early church, challenging views of Clement, Ignatius, and Irenaeus. Topics explore early church hierarchy evolution, nuances of infallibility vs. indefectability, bishop roles in Christianity, apostolic succession, and fallibility under Scripture.
33:59

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Post-apostolic ecclesial infallibility was not endorsed by early church figures like Clement, Ignatius, and Irenaeus, challenging historical assumptions.
  • The emphasis in early church writings was on fidelity to apostolic teachings rather than claims of ecclesial infallibility, reshaping views on church authority.

Deep dives

Examining the Early Church's View on Infallibility

The podcast delves into the concept of ecclesial infallibility in the early church, contrasting Protestant beliefs with traditional Christian views. The discussion centers on figures like Clement, Ignatius, and Irenaeus, examining whether historical evidence supports the notion of infallibility. By analyzing specific texts, such as Clement's epistle identifying bishop and deacon roles interchangeably, the narrative challenges the idea of post-apostolic ecclesial infallibility.

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