Protestant Heads Still Committed to Dialogue Despite Vatican's 'One True Church' Claim

JSOrthodoxy »

Mon Jul 16, 2007 7:20 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

The One God who revealed Himself fully in Jesus Christ, entrusted to the apostles His revelation concerning Himself. That revelation is what eventually became the New Testament, along with the apostolic rule of faith (that is later developed and finds its expression in the Nicene Creed), and the ancient apostolic practice of worship. The sacred Tradition that was handed down in Scripture and in the liturgical life of the ancient Church was spelled out in the seven Ecumenical Councils of the ancient Church. This ancient Church was a communion of local Churches united in their common confession of Jesus Christ as the Word made Flesh and the Lord and Savior of all. They were united under their bishops in their local Churches and they worshiped God through preaching the Gospel and celebrating the Eucharist. It is to this common, ancient confession and practice that we should look, adding nothing nor taking anything away from what what revealed.

Reformed Church Head Rebuts Vatican's 'One True Church' Claim

JSOrthodoxy »

Mon Jul 16, 2007 7:06 pm Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

My friends,

Most of the comments I read here lead me to think that few people have any interest in finding out what ancient Christians really believed and taught. The caricatures of Catholicism are truly sad and pathetic. If you want to refute the theology of a particular Church, be honest about the Church's theology. Don't take pot shots at straw men you have built up.

Personally, I wish the Reformed Church leader had taken a stronger position and attempted an argument to show how Reformed Christianity is the true Church of Christ. That would be interesting. I do not believe the claim that the Church of Rome is the true Church of Christ, because I do not accept papal supremacy. But, I also do not believe in making straw men out of Catholic beliefs. Remember, "thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor," is a commandment of Scripture. Let's not bear false witness against Catholic beliefs. Let's not ridicule and "be ugly" to one another as many in my family would say. Let's be honest about the serious differences among Christian bodies and debate these things intelligently and respectfully.

Mormon Defender Skirts Christian Question; Instead Calls for Unity

JSOrthodoxy »

Mon Jul 16, 2007 6:52 pm Agree: 1   Disagree: 2

Mormon theology teaches tri-theism, that there are three gods and that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are three separate beings united in purpose, but not in essence. Orthodox Christianity teaches that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are three persons united in one essence; so that the three are One God, not three. This is why the Mormon religion is not Christian. They do not worship the true God, even if they use the same names as Orthodox Christians. The God of Joseph Smith is not the God of the Bible.

No, I'm Not Offended

JSOrthodoxy »

Mon Jul 16, 2007 6:37 pm Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

An as Eastern Orthodox Christian, I appreciate Dr. Mohler's response to the CDF document. We must be intellectually honest about what we believe and why we believe it. It does no good to smooth over the differences between Christians in the name of harmony. To contend for true doctrine is essential.

One reader commented that the Catholic Church teaches that it is the only way to heaven. That is not true. The CDF document states that all Christian communities have elements of grace and sanctification within them. The document simply refers the term, Church of Christ, in the fullest sense, to the Church governed by the Pope. Now, I disagree with this document. I do not think that the Roman Catholic Church is the true Church. But, I will return the compliment to them and state that I believe that the Church of Rome does contain many elements of grace and sanctification, mixed with erroneous doctrines. ;)