Originally Posted by
Tj3
This, of course, did not refer to the denomination that we have today which was founded in the 4th century, but rather to the universal church.
The Greek word katholikos (καθολικός), which St. Ignatius used, means "universal," and he made use of it, obviously, to describe the church he belonged to, precisely, as Universal, thus eluding some of the theological debates already taking place in his time that will be later discussed at the 1st Nicaean Council. This why he wrote to the Smyrnaeans:
“Wherever the bishop appears, there let the people be; as wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church. It is not lawful to baptize or give communion without the consent of the bishop. On the other hand, whatever has his approval is pleasing to God. Thus, whatever is done will be safe and valid”.
As one of the primitive Fathers of the Church he should have logically considered Christianity as the only Church to be taken into consideration; hence “Universal”.
On the other hand, I do not think we can affirm that Catholicism was founded by Emperor Constantine when he convoked the 1st Nicaean Council, in 325 AD.
The intent of this Council was, basically, to define a unity of beliefs for the whole of Christendom by resolving some disagreements arising between St. Alexander and the presbyter Arius.
However, the Council was, in fact, the 1st Ecumenical Council of the Christian Church.
Actually, its most significant consequence was the Nicene Creed which, as you know, is an ecumenical Christian statement of faith accepted in the Eastern Orthodox Church, Assyrian Church of the East, Oriental Orthodox churches, the Roman Catholic Church, the Lutheran Church, the Anglican Communion, and almost all branches of Protestantism, including the Reformed churches, the Presbyterian Church, and the Methodist Church.
The Nicene Creed declares belief in the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. Here, the word Catholic is also taken in its face value of Universal, for those who accept this creed therefore generally believe they should be united in a single Church or group of Churches in communion with each other.
The problem, if any, lies on the fact that the ancient Churches consider that they represent the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church: furthermore, this is why the Vatican has somehow arrogated that title while considering the Eastern Orthodox Church to be in schism. However, the Eastern Orthodox Church also claims that title and holds that the Catholic Church is schismatic and probably heretical; to add to the confusion some Protestant Churches believe that they also represent the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church and consider the Orthodox and Catholic Churches to be in error.
This must be why, to avoid confusions, both Protestants and Oriental Orthodox Churches have named the Catholic Church depending from the Vatican, the Roman Catholic Church, which could also be designated as Roman Universal Church.
Actually restorationism is movement separate from mainstream protestantism though parts may be considered protestant, but others parts of which are considered heretical by protestant and other non-Catholic churches.
Nevertheless, I think - although I may be wrong - that restorationisme followers also believe in Hesus Christ, don't they?
Anabaptists are another completely separate movement and are not part of the restorationist movement.
