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    STUDIA THEOLOGIA%20CATHOLICA - Issue no. 1-2 / 2012  
         
  Article:   CHRISTIAN DIVERSITY AND UNITY IN THE FIRST THREE CENTURIES / DIVERSITÀ E UNITÀ DEI CRISTIANI NEI PRIMI TRE SECOLI.

Authors:  .
 
       
         
  Abstract:  

Christian diversity and unity in the first three centuries. The differences of perspective in the expression of the one faith were experienced from the first centuries of Christianity, as the disciples were made aware of their mission to testify following the wish of the Saviour. As always, some were more attached to their forefathers’ traditions, others more open towards innovation, but the community that perceived itself as the ecclesia was looking, though respecting diversity, towards unity in faith. Some groups held their own perspective as paramount, which soon gave birth to sects and heretic parties, which separated from the Church and followed their own way. These divisions were already at that time considered the work of evil. It is hard to tell when Christianity and the Church appeared, or if we can speak at the beginning of Christianity or rather of Christianities. The liturgical, disciplinary and doctrinal divergences (since each Church had its own traditions, and the more important ones influenced the others) of the different Churches did not break the koinonia, provided that they were considered in concordance with the one faith. The communion was kept up through correspondence and visits of Christians to other communities, through formulations of creeds, episcopal gatherings etc., but also through the interventions, in some serious situations, of the authority of the most prominent communities. The Christians of the first centuries had the sense of unity and plurality.

Keywords: diversity, unity, Church, Christianity, communion, primacy, Fathers, Paul, Hegesippus, Abercius

 
         
     
         
         
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