Were the Early Church Fathers Really the First Catholics? by Kathy Schiffer

By Kathy Schiffer, EWTN News, January 7, 2019

Kathy Schiffer is a Catholic blogger. In addition to her blog Seasons of Grace, her articles have appeared in the National Catholic Register, Aleteia, Zenit, the Michigan Catholic, Legatus Magazine, and other Catholic publications. She’s worked for Catholic and other Christian ministries since 1988, as radio producer, director of special events and media relations coordinator. Kathy and her husband, Deacon Jerry Schiffer, have three adult children.

“It was the Church Fathers … that convinced me to be a Catholic.”

British writer and theologian C.S. Lewis, in his autobiographical book Surprised by Joy, wrote, “A young man who wishes to remain a sound Atheist cannot be too careful of his reading.” And he was right!

A Baptist Finds His Way to the Catholic Faith

Just ask former Baptist Steve Ray, whose journey to the Catholic Church was helped by careful study of the Early Church Fathers. “Surprise, surprise!” Steve wrote.

“We were not prepared for what we discovered. But first, why were we never encouraged to read the Fathers of the Church? We always stated, ‘The Fathers are not inspired; the Bible is inspired and that’s all we need.’ But this new discovery was a real eye-opener. These first Christians lived, preached, worshiped and died before the New Testament was even in existence. They were authentic witnesses to the life, tradition and practice of the apostles themselves. They still have the apostolic voices ringing in their ears. …

Continue reading >>>>>>>>>