Abstract:
Attention is given to differences of opinion as to the nature of early
catholicism, whether it is present in the New Testament, where it is to be
found and how it should be evaluated. The difference between primitive
Christianity and early catholicism with regard to ecclesiology is also
taken into consideration. Aspects such as offices in the church, the relation
of the reign of Christ to the metaphor 'body of Christ', the church
as a holy temple, church and Israel, the Gentiles and the church, the
unity of the church, the constitution of the church and the vision of the
church are discussed. According to one viewpoint the development of
the apocalyptic primitive Christianity into early catholicism was not a
fringe phenomenon, but 'the greatest change in Christianity '. Consequences
of recent research may be that Protestants and Roman Catholics
should keep in mind that in more than one aspect the Bible leaves room
for a reconcilable variety.
