Christian Discussion Thread VII: The Christ Awakens.

[The Alexanderians]

Sounds...actually that sounds extremely cultish. I didn't think so before...now I do.

Bible says if you are neither hot nor cold but luke warm God will spit you out of his mouth. Its not cultish its living by the Word of God.

Hot =/= fire.

[Salus Maior]

Sounds...actually that sounds extremely cultish. I didn't think so before...now I do.

Bible says if you are neither hot nor cold but luke warm God will spit you out of his mouth. Its not cultish its living by the Word of God.

The Word of God also strongly alludes to the Trinity.

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome[a] it. John 1-5

14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1: 14

The Apostle John goes to pretty extreme lengths to ensure that Jesus's divinity as the Son is understood.

[Ashlak]

You're welcome! From what I've read there, the beliefs on that site are of the mainstream conservative sect, the most common, and the one I was raised in. I can't really tell you much about the other ones (liberal, non institutional conservative, ICOC).

Would you notice anything different in the one your were raised in than in conventional Christianity?

The COCs are way more legalistic minded than the average church. For example, a baptist and a methodist might disagree on doctrine, but they'll still consider one another christians, and maybe even fellowship which other. COC christians don't consider believers of other denominations to be true christians, and that they will burn in hell along with non believers, because they don't accept COC doctrine, which their eyes, is the one true interpretation of The Bible.

Dogma is serious business. The split between the mainstream conservatives and the antis occured because the antis didn't believe it was scriptural to operate things like charities for non Christians and bible colleges, for example. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_churc ... titutional)

Bible says if you are neither hot nor cold but luke warm God will spit you out of his mouth. Its not cultish its living by the Word of God.

The Word of God also strongly alludes to the Trinity.

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome[a] it. John 1-5

14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1: 14

The Apostle John goes to pretty extreme lengths to ensure that Jesus's divinity as the Son is understood.

Most COCers accept the trinity.

[Menassa]

Would you notice anything different in the one your were raised in than in conventional Christianity?

The COCs are way more legalistic minded than the average church. For example, a baptist and a methodist might disagree on doctrine, but they'll still consider one another christians, and maybe even fellowship which other. COC christians don't consider believers of other denominations to be true christians, and that they will burn in hell along with non believers, because they don't accept COC doctrine, which their eyes, is the one true interpretation of The Bible.

Dogma is serious business. The split between the mainstream conservatives and the antis occured because the antis didn't believe it was scriptural to operate things like charities for non Christians and bible colleges, for example. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_churc ... titutional)

But other than that Church and other rituals are the same?

[Salus Maior]

...and that they were the first church established by J.C. himself in the first century, which I am sure pisses off the Roman Catholics and Orthodox christians.

And the Oriental Orthodox, and the Church of the East ;P

And it's one thing to say that, it's another thing entirely to prove it. Unless they're Restorationists, in which case: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QnBWL_d-5A

[Salus Maior]

Most COCers accept the trinity.

But the Church's official position is non-trinitarian, correct?

[Ashlak]

The COCs are way more legalistic minded than the average church. For example, a baptist and a methodist might disagree on doctrine, but they'll still consider one another christians, and maybe even fellowship which other. COC christians don't consider believers of other denominations to be true christians, and that they will burn in hell along with non believers, because they don't accept COC doctrine, which their eyes, is the one true interpretation of The Bible.

Dogma is serious business. The split between the mainstream conservatives and the antis occured because the antis didn't believe it was scriptural to operate things like charities for non Christians and bible colleges, for example. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_churc ... titutional)

But other than that Church and other rituals are the same?

We do have something called "The Five Acts of Worship" which is a doctrine that says that services must be conducted in a certain way or else it is not pleasing unto God. http://www.watchmanmag.com/0702/070216.htm

Most COCers accept the trinity.

But the Church's official position is non-trinitarian, correct?

I believe the official position is trinitarian, though it wouldn't surprise me if there were some non trinitarians in the church.

[The Archregimancy]

I thought we weren't giving Ephrim his category?

Removing it would leave one blank space, and Archregimancy didn't suggest a replacement. I suggested "Cultural Christian" might be an interesting new inclusion, and quoted that in the post reminding the need for poll refinement. I don't think Archregimancy voiced an opinion on that. OP evidently decided to just keep Messianic Jew.

I'm actually going to change the poll back to the last thread's version.

While I am indeed always open to refining the poll, I remain unconvinced that there are more Messianic Jews than Methodists in NSG - though one of those Messianic Jews is no doubt more passionate about defending his beliefs than most Methodists.

Change forthcoming in a moment - apologies for forcing those of you who've already voted to vote again.

[Conscentia]

Removing it would leave one blank space, and Archregimancy didn't suggest a replacement. I suggested "Cultural Christian" might be an interesting new inclusion, and quoted that in the post reminding the need for poll refinement. I don't think Archregimancy voiced an opinion on that. OP evidently decided to just keep Messianic Jew.

I'm actually going to change the poll back to the last thread's version.

While I am indeed always open to refining the poll, I remain unconvinced that there are more Messianic Jews than Methodists in NSG - though one of those Messianic Jews is no doubt more passionate about defending his beliefs than most Methodists.

Change forthcoming in a moment - apologies for forcing those of you who've already voted to vote again.

Could've just changed "Messianic Jew" to "Methodist".

Totally reverting it restores the problems with the old one.

[Constantinopolis]

So... since the poll just got reset 10 minutes ago, I would like to request the removal of the superfluous space in between the word "East" and the comma on the third poll option.

This tiny insignificant and absolutely irrelevant style error has been bugging me since CDT V at least.

[The Alexanderians]

Screenshotting that golden moment where the Orthodox not only out number the Latins but ALL denominations! Muahahahaha. The Orthodox Conspiracy strengthens.

[Conscentia]

So... since the poll just got reset 10 minutes ago, I would like to request the removal of the superfluous space in between the word "East" and the comma on the third poll option.

This tiny insignificant and absolutely irrelevant style error has been bugging me since CDT V at least.

The poll assuming that non-denominational Christians are evangelical is a bigger issue. Not all of them are. Non-denominational shouldn't be listed as an example for "Other Evangelical".

[United Marxist Nations]

I like this poll.

Screenshotting that golden moment where the Orthodox not only out number the Latins but ALL denominations! Muahahahaha. The Orthodox Conspiracy strengthens.

I see I wasn't the only one who thought of this.

[The Alexanderians]

(Image)

I like this poll.

Screenshotting that golden moment where the Orthodox not only out number the Latins but ALL denominations! Muahahahaha. The Orthodox Conspiracy strengthens.

I see I wasn't the only one who thought of this.

http://i.imgur.com/HHaXHBK.png
I had this one.
Victory is ours!

[United Marxist Nations]

(Image)

I like this poll.


I see I wasn't the only one who thought of this.

http://i.imgur.com/HHaXHBK.png
I had this one.
Victory is ours!

I would like to praise our Basileus, Arch, for his role in this victory.

[Constantinopolis]

So... since the poll just got reset 10 minutes ago, I would like to request the removal of the superfluous space in between the word "East" and the comma on the third poll option.

This tiny insignificant and absolutely irrelevant style error has been bugging me since CDT V at least.

The poll assuming that non-denominational Christians are evangelical is a bigger issue. Not all of them are. Non-denominational shouldn't be listed as an example for "Other Evangelical".

That's a disagreement with the actual content of the poll. I was just complaining about a tiny style error that annoys me far more than it should...

But to address your point: The label "non-denominational" is overwhelmingly used by Christians affiliated with independent Evangelical Protestant churches in North America. "Non-denominational" may not mean "Other Evangelical" de jure, but it almost always does de facto.

[Constantinopolis]

http://i.imgur.com/HHaXHBK.png
I had this one.
Victory is ours!

Ah, that almost reflects the actual historical situation in the 11th century (there should be at least a 10% share of Non-Chalcedonians to make it more accurate).

[The Alexanderians]

http://i.imgur.com/HHaXHBK.png
I had this one.
Victory is ours!

Ah, that almost reflects the actual historical situation in the 11th century (there should be at least a 10% share of Non-Chalcedonians to make it more accurate).

They're here in spirit. In any case what do we start this new thread with? Do we talk about the Syrian Orthodox Hierarches that were captured? Talk about Lent? Hmm?

[Constantinopolis]

Do we talk about the Syrian Orthodox Hierarches that were captured?

Well... Now that you mentioned them... Since they were captured back in 2012 2013 and absolutely nothing has been heard of them since, I am not sure whether we should be praying for their release or for their repose. I find it difficult to hope that they are still alive.

And one of them is the brother of the Patriarch of Antioch.

Edit: Corrected the year. It was actually 2013.

[Salus Maior]

Do we talk about the Syrian Orthodox Hierarches that were captured?

Well... Now that you mentioned them... Since they were captured back in 2012 and absolutely nothing has been heard of them since, I am not sure whether we should be praying for their release or for their repose. I find it difficult to hope that they are still alive.

And one of them is the brother of the Patriarch of Antioch.

By ISIS, I assume?

[The Alexanderians]

Do we talk about the Syrian Orthodox Hierarches that were captured?

Well... Now that you mentioned them... Since they were captured back in 2012 and absolutely nothing has been heard of them since, I am not sure whether we should be praying for their release or for their repose. I find it difficult to hope that they are still alive.

And one of them is the brother of the Patriarch of Antioch.

All I know is that there will be an Orthodox prayer service held for them on April 21st https://oca.org/news/headline-news/prayer-service-for-abducted-syrian-hierarchs-to-be-held-april-21
Although minor detail correction it says here they were abducted in 2013. (on april 22) Making this a three year anniversary, to the day if it's an evening service.

[Constantinopolis]

Well... Now that you mentioned them... Since they were captured back in 2012 and absolutely nothing has been heard of them since, I am not sure whether we should be praying for their release or for their repose. I find it difficult to hope that they are still alive.

And one of them is the brother of the Patriarch of Antioch.

By ISIS, I assume?

No, actually. That was before ISIS became a major player in the civil war. They were kidnapped by unidentified rebels, and to this day nothing is publicly known about who exactly abducted them. There have been no public ransom requests, either. They simply vanished.

Of course, it is possible that private ransom negotiations have been going on, unknown to the public... but it has been several years already.

[Constantinopolis]

Well... Now that you mentioned them... Since they were captured back in 2012 and absolutely nothing has been heard of them since, I am not sure whether we should be praying for their release or for their repose. I find it difficult to hope that they are still alive.

And one of them is the brother of the Patriarch of Antioch.

All I know is that there will be an Orthodox prayer service held for them on April 21st https://oca.org/news/headline-news/prayer-service-for-abducted-syrian-hierarchs-to-be-held-april-21
Although minor detail correction it says here they were abducted in 2013. (on april 22) Making this a three year anniversary, to the day if it's an evening service.

That's correct, they were abducted in 2013, not 2012, so it has been (almost) three years.

I will go back and edit my earlier post. I misremembered the year.

[The Alexanderians]

By ISIS, I assume?

No, actually. That was before ISIS became a major player in the civil war. They were kidnapped by unidentified rebels, and to this day nothing is publicly known about who exactly abducted them. There have been no public ransom requests, either. They simply vanished.

Of course, it is possible that private ransom negotiations have been going on, unknown to the public... but it has been several years already.

While possible this could indicate something more disturbing than ISIS. If its a separate group that isn't as concerned with publicity that could potentially make them more dangerous.

On a related note has any kept a running tally of abductees and killed?

[Constantinopolis]

No, actually. That was before ISIS became a major player in the civil war. They were kidnapped by unidentified rebels, and to this day nothing is publicly known about who exactly abducted them. There have been no public ransom requests, either. They simply vanished.

Of course, it is possible that private ransom negotiations have been going on, unknown to the public... but it has been several years already.

While possible this could indicate something more disturbing than ISIS. If its a separate group that isn't as concerned with publicity that could potentially make them more dangerous.

On a related note has any kept a running tally of abductees and killed?

I'm sure human rights organizations have done so... there was a BBC article about it recently, showing some of the statistics.

But regarding the bishops, we can only pray that whatever group abducted them is only interested in a ransom, so that they will take the money and let them go.