The Church Fathers: The Church Is Infallible

 Ecclesiology

And a path and a way shall be there, and it shall be called the holy way:
The unclean shall not pass over it, and this shall be unto you a straight way
so that fools shall not err therein.
Isaiah 35, 8

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus
replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh
and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock
I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the
keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and
whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
Matthew 16, 16-19

My explications of the Patristic texts

Irenaeus of Lyons (A.D. 180)
Against Heresies, 3:24

“But it has, on the other hand, been shown that the preaching of the Church is consistently
uniform everywhere, and it is supported by evidence from the prophets, the apostles, and all the
disciples. In the Church,” it is said, “God has appointed apostles, prophets, teachers, and all other
means through which the Spirit works. Those who do not join themselves to the Church are not
partakers of these, but instead deprive themselves of life through their misguided beliefs and
disgraceful behavior. For where the Church is, there is the Spirit of God, and where the Spirit of
God is, there is the Church and every kind of grace. The Spirit is truth.”

Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyons, was a Catholic theologian who wrote a book called “Against Heresies” that consisted of five volumes. In this book, Irenaeus aimed to criticize and refute the teachings of cults, which he believed deviated from the orthodox teachings of Christianity. The main targets of his criticism were the Gnostics and Marcionites. Irenaeus believed that the Gnostics’ interpretations of scripture were incorrect, particularly those by Valentinus. He argued against the Gnostics’ theory of God, which included various divine emanations or Aeons and a difference between the Monad and the Demiurge.

In contrast, Irenaeus believed in God's unity and goodness. He believed that God was one and that he created everything. Irenaeus used the Logos theology inherited from Justin Martyr to support his argument. He believed that the Logos, which means “word” or “reason,” was the second person of the Trinity. He argued that the Logos was with God in the beginning and was God. He also believed that the Logos became flesh, which is Jesus Christ.

In “Against Heresies,” Irenaeus highlighted the disparity between the Gnostics’ false arguments and the plain meaning of the Scriptures. He believed the Gnostics’ teachings were false because they contradicted the apostles’ teachings. He argued that the apostles had received their teachings from Jesus Christ himself. Therefore, he believed that the true teachings of Christianity were consistent with the teachings of the apostles.

In 3:24, Irenaeus emphasizes the consistency and continuity of the preaching of the Church, which is proven by the testimony of the prophets, apostles, and disciples. His text highlights the importance of the Church as the place “where God has set apostles, prophets, teachers, and all other means through which the Spirit works.” These means include the sacraments of the Church, such as baptism and the Eucharist, which are essential in receiving God’s grace and salvation. The text also underscores the negative consequences of not joining the Church, as those who do not partake in these means “defraud themselves of life through their perverse opinions and infamous behavior.” The Church is the only true way to receive God’s grace, and those who reject the Church reject the Spirit of God.

Furthermore, Irenaeus asserts that the Church is where the Spirit of God is present. “Where the Spirit of God is, there is the Church and every kind of grace. “The Spirit is truth,” meaning the Church is the only proper way to receive God’s grace and salvation. Overall, the text stresses the importance of the Church as the means through which individuals can receive God’s grace and salvation and the negative consequences of rejecting the Church.

Hippolytus (200 A.D.)
Christ and Anti-Christ, 59

“We, who hope for the Son of God, are persecuted and oppressed by unbelievers. The churches are
like wings of vessels, and the world is the sea in which the Church is placed, resembling a ship in
the deep but never destroyed, as she is guided by the skilled Pilot, Christ. Within her, she carries
the trophy of victory over death, symbolized by the cross of the Lord. Just as the wind,
representing the Spirit from heaven, is present and seals those who believe, she also has strong
anchors made of iron, which are the holy commandments of Christ. The Church is also
accompanied by mariners on the right and left, similar to the holy angels, who continually govern
and defend her.”

Hippolytus presents a rich metaphorical vision of the Church, portraying it as a ship navigating the turbulent waters of the world. The opening line highlights the challenges faced by believers in a world filled with unbelief. It sets a somber tone, acknowledging the struggles and adversities that those who have faith may encounter.

The Church is likened to a ship, illustrating its role as a sanctuary for believers amidst the chaos of the world. The sea—the world—represents the trials and tribulations that threaten to overwhelm, yet the Church remains unsinkable, guided by Christ, described as the "skilled Pilot." This metaphor emphasizes faith as a source of stability and guidance.

The mention of the "trophy of victory over death," symbolized by the cross, signifies the core Christian belief in salvation and eternal life through Christ's sacrifice. The Church is portrayed as a bearer of this profound victory, reinforcing its role as a source of hope.

The imagery of wind represents the Holy Spirit, suggesting divine presence and approval. Just as the wind influences the ship, the Holy Spirit guides the Church, instilling faith in believers and sealing them in their commitment to God.

The "strong anchors made of iron" refer to Christ’s commandments, which provide stability and security for the Church. This reflects the idea that adherence to moral and ethical principles, as taught by Christ, is essential for the faith community to withstand challenges.

The mariners symbolize the holy angels who assist in governing and protecting the Church. This suggests a divine oversight and support system for believers, emphasizing the collaboration between the heavenly and earthly realms in maintaining faith amidst adversities.

Overall, Hippolytus conveys a message of resilience, hope, and divine protection for the Church and its followers despite the pressures of the surrounding world. It emphasizes the importance of faith, community, and adherence to divine teachings in navigating life's challenges.

Origen of Alexandria (A.D. 244)
On Matthew, 12:11

“The rock is inaccessible to the serpent and stronger than the gates of Hades that oppose it.
Because of its strength, the gates of Hades do not prevail against it. The church, built by Christ
upon the rock, is impervious to the gates of Hades, which prevail against those outside the rock
and the church but have no power against it.”

The text portrays the rock as an impregnable force beyond the serpent’s reach and more robust than the gates of Hades that oppose it. Its impregnability is due to its exceptional strength, far greater than the gates of Hades’ capacity to overpower it through sin, scandals, or heresy victoriously. Origen notes that Christ, in His wisdom, built His Church on this rock foundation (Apostolic Magisterial ruling and teaching authority) incapable of admitting the gates of Hades. This foundation ensures that the Church is impervious to the gates of Hades, which can overcome anyone (dissenter or heretic) who is not within the rock’s confines and the church.

Origen emphasizes that the gates of Hades are powerless against the church because the rock foundation upon which it is built is unassailable. Thus, the Church can withstand any opposition, and the gates of Hades cannot prevail against it. The passage highlights the Church’s unshakeable faith in Christ, which is the foundation of its strength. As a symbol of this foundation, the rock underscores the Church’s unyielding devotion to Christ, ensuring it can overcome any challenge and remain steadfast in its faith.

Lactantius (A.D. 310)
Divine Institutes, 4:14

“It is evident from various sources that all the prophets prophesied about the coming of Christ.
They predicted that at a certain time, Christ would be born with a body from the lineage of David
and would build an eternal temple in honor of God, referred to as the Church. Additionally, they
foresaw that all nations would be gathered for the true worship of God. This Church is considered
the faithful house and the everlasting temple. Those who do not partake in this will not receive
the reward of immortality. Since Christ built this great and everlasting temple, He must also
possess an everlasting priesthood. Furthermore, there can be no access to the temple’s shrine or
the sight of God except through Him who built the temple. David also affirms this in the sixth
Psalm: ' Before the morning star I have begotten Thee. The Lord has sworn and will not repent;
Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.’”

Lactantius speaks about the prophecies of the prophets regarding the coming of Christ. According to these prophecies, Christ would be born with a physical body from the lineage of David. Furthermore, He would build an eternal temple in honor of God called the Church. This temple would unite all nations to worship the true God. It is emphasized that this Church is the faithful and everlasting temple. It is the only place where individuals can offer sacrifices and receive the reward of immortality. Therefore, all individuals are encouraged to sacrifice in this temple to receive the reward of eternal life.

Additionally, the text highlights that Christ was the builder of this great temple and, therefore, He must have an everlasting priesthood. This means that no one can approach the temple shrine or see God except through Him. Christ’s priesthood is everlasting, and He is the only mediator between God and man.

Finally, the text refers to the sixth Psalm, where David teaches the same truth. In this Psalm, David states that God had sworn that Christ would be a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. This means that Christ’s priesthood is eternal, and He is the only way to approach God and receive eternal life.

Hilary of Poitiers (A.D. 359)
On the Trinity, 7:4

“The Church, ordained by the Lord and established by His Apostles, is one for all. However, the
discordant sects have separated themselves from her in their frantic folly.  These dissensions
concerning the faith result from distorted minds that twist the words of Scripture to fit their
opinions instead of adjusting their opinions to the words of Scripture. Amid the clash of mutually
destructive errors, the Church stands revealed not only by her teaching but also by her rivals.
They are all ranged against her, and the fact that she stands alone is a sufficient answer to their
godless delusions. The hosts of heresy assemble themselves against her; each can defeat all the
others, but not one can win a victory for itself. The only victory is the Church’s triumph over them
all.”

Bishop Hilary argues that the Church is a single entity established by the Lord and His Apostles. However, this unity has been disrupted by the emergence of discordant Arian sects that have severed themselves from the Church by rejecting the divinity of Christ. These sects have distorted the words of Scripture to conform to their own opinions instead of adjusting their views to the words of Scripture as defined by the Magisterial authority of the Catholic Church. This has resulted in various dissensions regarding the faith, which have led to a clash of mutually destructive errors.

Hilary suggests that the root cause of these dissensions is a distorted mind that twists the words of Scripture to fit its own opinions. This is in contrast to the approach of the Church, which adjusts its views to the words of Scripture. Scripture must be interpreted in light of the Apostolic Tradition. The author contends that the Church’s approach is correct and that the Church stands alone amidst the chaos of rival sects, proving the truth of her teachings. He notes that the Church’s rivals are ranged against her and that the very fact that she stands single and alone is her sufficient answer to their godless delusions. This is because the Church’s teachings are based on the accurate interpretation of Scripture, while the teachings of her rivals are based on a distorted interpretation of Scripture.

The Bishop of Poitiers also suggests that while the various sects can defeat each other, the Church’s triumph over all of them is the only true victory. This is because the Church’s teachings are based on the truth of Scripture, while the teachings of her rivals are based on a distorted interpretation of Scripture.

Overall, the text emphasizes the importance of staying true to the teachings of the Church and not being misled by the errors of other sects. It suggests that the Church’s unity and adherence to the proper interpretation of Scripture are proof of her authority and truth.

Augustine of Hippo (A.D. 377)
Sermon to the Catechumens on the Creed, 14

“The Holy Church” is referred to as the temple of God. The apostle says, ‘For the temple of God
is  holy, which (temple) are ye.’ This is the holy Church, the one Church, the true Church, the
Catholic Church, which fights against all heresies. It can be fought, but it cannot be defeated.
Heresies have all gone out of it like unprofitable branches pruned from the vine, but the Church
remains in its root, Vine, and charity. ‘The gates of hell shall not prevail against it.’”

Augustine emphasizes the significance of the holy Church as a sacred temple of God. The writer identifies this holy Church as the one true Catholic Church that fights against all heresies and remains unwavering in its roots. He uses the metaphor of the Church as God’s temple to convey that it is a sacred space, not just a physical building, but a community of believers united in their faith. He highlights the importance of the Church’s fight against heresies, false teachings that can lead believers astray from the truth. The Church is depicted as a defender of the truth, which is grounded in the teachings of Christ.

The Bishop of Hippo also emphasizes that the Church cannot be defeated despite the challenges it may face. The Church is a resilient community that draws strength from its roots, the Vine, and its message of charity. He further explains that the Church, like a vine, prunes unprofitable branches, symbolizing heresies and those who do not adhere to the Church’s teachings. The Church remains steadfast in its roots, the Vine, and its message of charity. The Church’s message of charity is essential to its teachings, which promote love, tolerance, and compassion towards others.

In essence, the text affirms that “The gates of hell shall not prevail against it,” meaning that the Church will always stand strong against all external attacks. The Church is a resilient community that draws strength from its roots, the Vine, and its message of charity.

John Chrysostom (A.D. 399)
Eutropius, 2:6

“Do not distance yourself from the Church, for nothing is stronger than the Church. The Church is
your hope, your salvation, your refuge. It is higher than heaven and wider than the earth. It
never grows old, but is always in full vigor. Therefore, the Holy Scripture calls it a mountain to
signify its solidity and stability. It is called a virgin to express its purity, a queen to express its
magnificence, and a daughter to express its relationship to God. To show its productiveness, it is
called barren who has borne seven…”

John Chrysostom suggests that it is essential to maintain a close relationship with the Church. The Church is an unshakable institution, stronger than any other, that can provide hope, salvation, and refuge to those seeking it. Its vastness and universality are highlighted by the statement that it is “higher than heaven and wider than the earth.” The Church is described as always being in full vigor, never growing old, and always maintaining solidity and stability.

Holy Scriptures use various metaphors to describe the Church, each highlighting a different aspect of its nature. The Church is called a mountain to signify its solidity and stability, indicating that it is an unshakable foundation that can withstand any storm. The Church is also compared to a virgin, indicating its purity and the unblemished nature of its teachings. A queen is another metaphor that describes the Church, highlighting its magnificence and grandeur.

Lastly, the Church is called a daughter to express its relationship to God, who is often referred to as the father. The text also uses the expression “barren who has borne seven” to illustrate the Church’s productivity. This phrase refers to a woman who was previously unable to bear children but has since given birth to seven children. It signifies that the Church, though it may seem unproductive or unable to achieve anything, is, in fact, highly productive and fruitful in its work.

In short, the text suggests that the Church is a powerful and reliable institution that can provide hope, salvation, and refuge to those who seek it. Various metaphors and expressions throughout the text highlight its vastness, stability, purity, magnificence, relationship to God, and productivity.

Cyril of Alexandria (A.D. 429)
On Isaiah, 4

“’ I have raised him up a king with justice, and all his ways are right.’ The ways of Christ are right,
and he has built the holy city, that is, the church, wherein also he dwelleth. For he abideth in the
saints, and we have become temples of the living God, having Christ within us through the
participation of the Holy Spirit. He, therefore, founded a church, himself being the foundation, in
which we also, as rich and precious stones, are built into a holy temple, as a dwelling-place for
God in the spirit; the church, having Christ for a foundation, and an immoveable support, is
perfectly immoveable.”

Cyril of Alexandria is a notable figure in Church history. He played an essential role in the First Council of Ephesus in 431, fighting for the Marian title “Theotokos” (God-bearer). His efforts established the basis for all subsequent Mariological developments in the Church. Cyril was an Eastern Catholic theologian and bishop who was active during the 5th century. He was primarily known for his campaign against Nestorius, the Bishop of Constantinople, whose views on the nature of Christ were deemed heretical by the Ecumenical Council.

The controversy centered around the two natures in Christ, as Nestorius taught that there were two distinct persons, one human and one divine, in Christ. Consequently, the Virgin Mary was the mother of the human Jesus (Christokos). Cyril’s defense of the doctrine of the Incarnation was particularly noteworthy. He argued that the one Person of Jesus was the divine Son, the Second Person of the Trinity. Hence, Mary was the Mother of God. He is also known for his exegetical writings, which were highly regarded for their brilliance. Overall, Cyril’s importance for theology and Church history lies in his efforts to champion orthodoxy against the heresy of Nestorius.

Isaiah 4 speaks of Christ as a just king whose ways are always right and proper. He is the one who has established the holy city, which is the church, and in which He now dwells. Through the participation of the Holy Spirit, we have become temples of the living God, with Christ within us. This is a testament to Christ’s divine nature, as He is the church’s foundation. Christ founded a church with Himself as the foundation, and this church is comprised of all the believers who have placed their faith in Him. The text speaks of us as rich and precious stones built into a holy temple, which serves as a dwelling place for God in the spirit. This highlights the intimacy of our relationship with God and how we are to be a reflection of Christ’s love in the world.

The text emphasizes the immovability of the church, which is perfectly unshakeable due to Christ being its foundation and immovable support. This means that the church is not subject to the whims of the world and that it will endure forever. It is a testament to the power of Christ’s love and the truth of His teachings. Overall, the text speaks to the significance of Christ’s role in establishing the church and the importance of our relationship with Him through the Holy Spirit. It emphasizes the church’s unshakeable nature and our role as a reflection of Christ’s love in the world.

Vincent of Lerins (A.D. 450)
Commonitory for the Antiquity and Universality
of the Catholic Faith, 59-60

“But the Church of Christ, the careful and watchful guardian of the doctrines deposited in her
charge, never changes anything in them, never diminishes, never adds, does not cut off what is
necessary, does not add what is superfluous, does not lose her own, does not appropriate what is
another’s, but while dealing faithfully and judiciously with ancient doctrine, keeps this one object
carefully in view…This, I say, is what the Catholic Church, roused by the novelties of heretics, has
accomplished by the decrees of her Councils–this, and nothing else–she has thenceforward
consigned to posterity in writing what she had received from those of olden times only by
tradition, comprising a great amount of matter in a few words, and often, for the better
understanding, designating an old article of the faith by the characteristic of a new name…What
but the Catholic and universal doctrine, which has continued one and the same through the
several successions of ages by the uncorrupt tradition of the truth and so will continue
forever–‘Receive him not into your house, neither bid him Godspeed, for he that biddeth him
Godspeed communicates with him in his evil deeds.’”

The text is an excerpt from a longer work of Christian theology, and it speaks about the unchanging nature of the doctrines of the Catholic Church. Vincent. Bishop of Lerins argues that the Church is “a careful and watchful guardian of these doctrines and that she does not change anything in them nor add anything superfluous or cut off what is necessary.” Instead, she “faithfully and judiciously deals with ancient doctrine while keeping one object carefully in view.” The author explains how the Catholic Church has “consigned her doctrines to posterity in writing, preserving them for future generations.” She has done this through “the decrees of her Councils, which were created in response to the novelties of heretics.” The Church has been roused by the novelties of heretics, who sought to introduce new and false doctrines and has responded by carefully preserving the ancient doctrines of the faith.

Vincent of Lerins emphasizes that the Catholic Church has been “faithful in transmitting what she received from those of olden times only by tradition, comprising a great amount of matter in a few words and often designating an old article of faith by the characteristic of a new name for better understanding.” In other words, the Church has been “careful to preserve the essence of the faith while making it accessible to the faithful.” The author then stresses that the Catholic and universal doctrine has “continued unchanged through several succession of ages by the uncorrupt tradition of the truth and will continue forever.” This means that the doctrines of the Church have remained unchanged over time and will continue to do so, as they are based on the uncorrupt tradition of the truth.

Finally, the author concludes with a passage from the Bible, advising his readers not to receive those who do not follow Catholic and universal doctrine into their homes or to bid them Godspeed. This is because those who do not follow the true faith are seen as opposing the Church and its teachings, and to welcome them is to participate in their evil deeds.

“And I will pray to the Father, and He will give you another Helper,
that He may abide with you forever.”
John 14, 16

Pax vobiscum