(crossposted from simplyexplained.com)
Is it fair to say that the Catholic religion is the “oldest christian religion”?
Catholic apologists and scholars always contend that the Catholic Church is the church founded by Christ himself. They claim that the chain of popes is more or less unbroken from today’s pope back to St. Peter, who was granted supremacy among the apostles and shepherdship over the entire flock of believers, as per the canonical gospels. You can’t go back further than Christ himself when it comes to Christianity (unless you want to start dealing with the Jewish people being the prefigurement of the new Church, etc.), and so if you believe that Christ founded his church on Peter (as per Matthew 16:18), then you must necessarily believe that the Catholic Church is the oldest Christian religion.
Comment by Larry — April 8, 2008 @ 18:33
As long as you don’t equate catholic to Roman Catholic you are correct. The Orthodox Catholics have just as good, if not better, claim.
Comment by Seth — June 13, 2008 @ 10:17
I am looking at trying the Catholic religion. I am curently southern babtist and looking for a change. Any info would help.
Comment by Pistos — June 13, 2008 @ 23:44
Seth: You can begin by browsing EWTN and Catholic Answers. If you have particular questions, let me know.