(January 15, 2015 at 7:41 pm)watchamadoodle Wrote:(January 14, 2015 at 10:15 am)Davka Wrote: Ever heard of Origen? Justin Martyr? Polycarp? Clement of Rome? Augustine? Whatever you do, don't read what they had to say. You won't like it. Actually studying the first-century context of the New Testament is the last thing anyone should do if they want to remain a Christian. Don't examine the Books too closely, because (like any fantasy story) they don't hold together well under scrutiny.
What is it about the works you listed that cause issues for Christians? I have only read itty-bitty excerpts from some of them. I liked some of Origen's ideas about salvation. Just curious.
In a nutshell, Christianity today looks almost nothing like Christianity circa 200 CE. These people are considered the Church Fathers, but they look more like the crazy uncle nobody talks about.
