Catholicism & Tradition : Catholics rely a great deal on the teachings of the Church down through the centuries. It is felt that holy men, women and Church leaders are human too, therefore sinners like the rest of us. It is well known that God often uses ordinary, flawed people for his work. But though they may get the small things wrong sometimes, God won't let them get the big things wrong. The scriptural interpretations and such are secure for Christ told Peter when he established his Church on Peter's shoulders that Hell could not prevail against it. As we are implored in scripture to follow the teachings of our Christian leaders, Catholics have put certain faith in their teachings throughout the history of the Church. Of great importance are the Early Church Fathers and particularly the Apostolic Fathers.
The Timeline above illustrates the closeness in time of the Apostolic Fathers to the last two of the twelve apostles and Paul. It helps to show graphically why Catholics accept these early Church Fathers' writings as authoritative.
This wonderfully useful, simple tool is provided by Steve Ray who, among other great things he does to spread the Faith, conducts pilgrimages to the Holy Land. See his website, DEFENDERS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH at this address: http://www.catholic-convert.com
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