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One faith, St. Paul writes (Eph. 4:5). Hold most firmly…

“One faith, St. Paul writes (Eph. 4:5). Hold most firmly that our faith is identical with that of the ancients. Deny this, and you dissolve the unity of the Church ... We must hold this for certain, namely: that the faith of the people at the present day is one with the faith of the people in past…” quote by Thomas Aquinas
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“One faith, St. Paul writes (Eph. 4:5). Hold most firmly that our faith is identical with that of the ancients. Deny this, and you dissolve the unity of the Church ... We must hold this for certain, namely: that the faith of the people at the present day is one with the faith of the people in past centuries. Were this not true, then we would be in a different church than they were in and, literally, the Church would not be One.”

Thomas Aquinas

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The quote stresses that true Christian unity requires holding to a continuous, unchanging faith across generations.

In simple terms: Faith must stay the same over time.

Key Takeaway

Preserve doctrinal continuity.

Themes

faith unity tradition

Mood

reflective serious

Type

theological doctrinal

When to use this quote

  • church leadership
  • theological education
  • ecumenical dialogue
  • personal devotion
  • historical research

Key Concepts

ecclesiology doctrine historicity

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can churches honor ancient faith while addressing modern challenges?
  • What defines essential versus cultural aspects of faith?
A Different Perspective

If cultural contexts change, strict sameness may hinder relevance.

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