Changes

===== Proof from silence =====

===== Proof from silence =====

Although the weight of historical silence about any great apostasy is not enough to prove that something did happen, based on the obvious differences between Catholic and Orthodox doctrine and Reformation principles of Christian belief,<ref>See Logical fallacies: [[Logical fallacy#Argument from silence|absence of evidence is not evidence of absence]] and [[Logical fallacy#Manufacturing facts from a theory|manufacturing facts from a theory]].</ref> this silence is a very serious problem for those who wish to advance this notion, that a massively [[Paradigm|fundamental change]] in doctrine and [[Discipline|practice]] was so universally pervasive and acceptable to the whole Church that there was no one around (or left alive) to protest such an apostasy. [[Martin Luther]] famously declared, "I do not accept the authority of popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other."<ref>Statement to The Imperial Diet ('Assembly') of Worms (Germany), May 1521, presided over by Emperor [[Charles V of Spain|Charles V]]. At the diet Luther was asked if he would retract his teachings condemned by the Pope (to include his 95 Theses). After a day's meditation he refused. He declared, "Unless I am convinced by Scripture and plain reason - I do not accept the authority of the popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other - my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. God help me. Amen."</ref> However, it is a matter of historical record that he has offered no evidence in support of this assertion in his writings and in his testimonies before Church and civil authorities, he cites no example of contradiction.<ref>See [[Logical fallacy#Proof by assertion|Logical fallacy: Proof by assertion]]. Do an online search for [https://www.bing.com/search?q=Martin+Luther%27s+evidence+that+popes+and+councils+have+contradicted+each+other&form=PRUSEN&mkt=en-us&httpsmsn=1&refig=e03bca519d1f41258d6949d83fea08eb&sp=-1&pq=martin+luther%27s+evidence+that+popes+and+councils+have+contradicted+each+other&sc=0-77&qs=n&sk=&cvid=e03bca519d1f41258d6949d83fea08eb "Martin Luther's evidence that popes and councils have contradicted each other".]</ref> There is absolutely no evidence for a mass apostasy in any historical records. See the following links (note which writings were condemned as heretical, and when they were condemned):

Although the weight of historical silence about any great apostasy is not enough to prove that something did happen, based on the obvious differences between Catholic and Orthodox doctrine and Reformation principles of Christian belief,<ref>See Logical fallacies: [[Logical fallacy#Argument from silence|absence of evidence is not evidence of absence]] and [[Logical fallacy#Manufacturing facts from a theory|manufacturing facts from a theory]].</ref> this silence is a very serious problem for those who wish to advance this notion, that a massively [[Paradigm|fundamental change]] in doctrine and [[Discipline|practice]] was so universally pervasive and acceptable to the whole Church that there was no one around (or left alive) to protest such an apostasy. [[Martin Luther]] famously declared, "I do not accept the authority of popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other."<ref>Statement to The Imperial Diet ('Assembly') of Worms (Germany), May 1521, presided over by Emperor [[Charles V of Spain|Charles V]]. At the diet Luther was asked if he would retract his teachings condemned by the Pope (to include his 95 Theses). After a day's meditation he refused. He declared, "Unless I am convinced by Scripture and plain reason - I do not accept the authority of the popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other - my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. God help me. Amen."</ref> However, it is a matter of historical record that he has offered no evidence in support of this assertion in his writings and in his testimonies before Church and civil authorities, he cites no example of contradiction.<ref>See [[Logical fallacy#Proof by assertion|Logical fallacy: Proof by assertion]]. Do an online search for [https://www.bing.com/search?q=Martin+Luther%27s+evidence+that+popes+and+councils+have+contradicted+each+other&form=PRUSEN&mkt=en-us&httpsmsn=1&refig=e03bca519d1f41258d6949d83fea08eb&sp=-1&pq=martin+luther%27s+evidence+that+popes+and+councils+have+contradicted+each+other&sc=0-77&qs=n&sk=&cvid=e03bca519d1f41258d6949d83fea08eb "Martin Luther's evidence that popes and councils have contradicted each other".]</ref> There is absolutely no evidence for a mass apostasy in any historical records. See the following links (note which writings were condemned as heretical, and the (approximate) date when they were condemned):

:[http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/index.html '''Early Christian Writings''' A.D. 30 through 380 (earlychristianwritings.com)]  

:[http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/index.html '''Early Christian Writings''' A.D. 30 through 380 (earlychristianwritings.com)]