Is there any historical evidence for the Great Apostasy?
It depends on your perspective. There is evidence that the apostles all died. There is historical evidence that the Christians were persecuted and that through these year of being under ground the religion changed. Lack of communication amung the different groups across the world led to various views about importain theological issues such as the nature of Jesus, God, and saint “worship” sort of took root. They were sort of mourning their dead which is understandable. Another historical fact is that Constantine was the first Christian Roman Emperor, and most scholars think that he wasn’t a true convert but that he converted for political reasons. Monotheism would help him united the Empire under his banner especially if he controled that religion. And control it he did. He held several counsel where he met with all of the religious leaders of various sects to discuss the points on which they differed. They voted on what the right view was and those that did not become “converted” were
No, there is no evidence of a Great Apostasy. Let me set up my answer by pointing out some of the miscalculations in Jennybean’s response. Jennybean states that, “It depends on your perspective.” But that is true only if you want a relativistic answer. We have to examine the historical record in closer detail and Jenny makes an effort. “There is evidence that the apostles all died.” Unfortunately this has little to do with any apostasy, the fact that all the Apostles died is about as relevant as the fact that Joseph Smith and all of his followers died. It doesn’t indicate that there was any apostasy. In fact the Apostles ordained men to take their places (see Matthias in the Book of Acts) and to fill bishoprics that they themselves created. Peter ordained Ignatius to take his place in Antioch. Linus was ordained to replace Peter in Rome. There are mountains of evidence of this process. Jenny’s attempt at showing a perspective that highlights an apostasy continues “There is historical e
Yes there is. Here are a few: (1) Trinity, (2) Hellfire, (3) Immortal Soul, (4) Christmas, (5) Easter, (6) Choosing to not list God’s name in the Bible, (7) Use of images in worship, (8) Clergy-Laity divide, (9) Involvement in armed conflict, (10) Rapture The Illustration of Wheat and Weeds and the conclusion of the system of things given by Jesus at Matthew 13:24-30,36-43.showed that there was going to be an apostasy until the time of the end. The thought that some have held to the true teachings of the Bible from the time of the apostles is not supported by scripture. APOSTASY FORETOLD. (Amos 8:11-12) “‘Look! There are days coming,’ is the utterance of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah, ‘and I will send a famine into the land, a famine, not for bread, and a thirst, not for water, but for hearing the words of Jehovah. 12 And they will certainly stagger from sea all the way to sea, and from north even to the sunrise. They will keep roving about while searching for the word of Jehovah, but the
