Christian Discussion Thread III

[Dangelia]

So what about teachings that cannot be supported by Scripture, but is accepted as part of Holy Tradition? Papal supremacy come to mind here.Scripture serves as a safeguard to prevent the Church from creating doctrines that are not actually the result of divine revelation since they do not change, though their understanding could.

Papal supremacy stands in the face of Tradition as well. It is an innovation but, thankfully, is so rarely used that it is a useless critique to offer of the RC Church. Aside from that, Tradition never contradicts Scripture. It cannot. Tradition is what delivered Scripture. Tradition defines Scripture.

You know what's nice about being Orthodox Christian on forums like this, you always have an answer.

[Menassa]

It would make sense for Christianity to create a tradition, as they had done away with the Oral Law (for good reasons) leaving them only with a 'half-book.'

[Lupelia]

Although I'm not a Christian, I seem to find myself drawn to Eastern Orthodoxy for some reason. I don't know why, it just seems to interest me greatly. I hope a module about it comes up at some stage when I'm doing my Theology course.

[The Realm of God]

It would make sense for Christianity to create a tradition, as they had done away with the Oral Law (for good reasons) leaving them only with a 'half-book.'

Well you could actually say that Holy Tradition is our Oral Law.

[Menassa]

It would make sense for Christianity to create a tradition, as they had done away with the Oral Law (for good reasons) leaving them only with a 'half-book.'

Well you could actually say that Holy Tradition is our Oral Law.

I know, that was my point.

[Diopolis]

Traditionalist catholic.

[Distruzio]

Although I'm not a Christian, I seem to find myself drawn to Eastern Orthodoxy for some reason. I don't know why, it just seems to interest me greatly. I hope a module about it comes up at some stage when I'm doing my Theology course.

Here is hoping!

[Distruzio]

TraditionalistProper catholic.

Fixed.

[Lupelia]

Although I'm not a Christian, I seem to find myself drawn to Eastern Orthodoxy for some reason. I don't know why, it just seems to interest me greatly. I hope a module about it comes up at some stage when I'm doing my Theology course.

Here is hoping!

Indeed.

Given that the college I'll be going to, All Hallows, is a former monastery, I'm pretty sure there will be something on Orthodoxy at some stage.

[The Realm of God]

Here is hoping!

Indeed.

Given that the college I'll be going to, All Hallows, is a former monastery, I'm pretty sure there will be something on Orthodoxy at some stage.

.....Or an orthodox church you could attend.

[Lupelia]

Indeed.

Given that the college I'll be going to, All Hallows, is a former monastery, I'm pretty sure there will be something on Orthodoxy at some stage.

.....Or an orthodox church you could attend.

That's a good point actually. I'm sure they'll be trips to various churches at some stage.

I have to do volunteer work, so I could probably actually volunteer at an Orthodox church if I wanted. It would certainly be a good way to advance my studies and get the priests opinions on things. Living in Ireland, all you really either hear about is either Catholic or Protestant news, depending on which group you come from, which can get quite boring at times. A fresh perspective would definitely be helpful over all I think.

[Distruzio]

.....Or an orthodox church you could attend.

That's a good point actually. I'm sure they'll be trips to various churches at some stage.

I have to do volunteer work, so I could probably actually volunteer at an Orthodox church if I wanted. It would certainly be a good way to advance my studies and get the priests opinions on things. Living in Ireland, all you really either hear about is either Catholic or Protestant news, depending on which group you come from, which can get quite boring at times. A fresh perspective would definitely be helpful over all I think.

You could also ask RoG or myself for any interests.

[The Realm of God]

.....Or an orthodox church you could attend.

That's a good point actually. I'm sure they'll be trips to various churches at some stage.

I have to do volunteer work, so I could probably actually volunteer at an Orthodox church if I wanted. It would certainly be a good way to advance my studies and get the priests opinions on things. Living in Ireland, all you really either hear about is either Catholic or Protestant news, depending on which group you come from, which can get quite boring at times. A fresh perspective would definitely be helpful over all I think.

Well I'm from Scotland originally and I am discerning the priesthood, if you want any help with anything I'm sure I have time.

[Lupelia]

That's a good point actually. I'm sure they'll be trips to various churches at some stage.

I have to do volunteer work, so I could probably actually volunteer at an Orthodox church if I wanted. It would certainly be a good way to advance my studies and get the priests opinions on things. Living in Ireland, all you really either hear about is either Catholic or Protestant news, depending on which group you come from, which can get quite boring at times. A fresh perspective would definitely be helpful over all I think.

You could also ask RoG or myself for any interests.

Thanks guys, I may just do that when I have a bit more free time.

[Tarsonis Survivors]

So, new topic. Who's the whore of Babylon?

[Distruzio]

So, new topic. Who's the whore of Babylon?

She creeps into the night after a long bender in unsteady pumps, fishnets stockings, a mini skirt, and a tube top. Her nails are painted different colors and her hair is spiked and frazzled. Her mascara runs and her face is contorted in pain - she wails into the night. Her name?

Distruzio.

[Menassa]

So, new topic. Who's the whore of Babylon?

Some people believe it's the Church, yet they ascribe to Church tradition.

[Vazdania]

So, new topic. Who's the whore of Babylon?

Some love to attribute it to the Catholic Church.....

[Tlaceceyaya]

So, new topic. Who's the whore of Babylon?

Saddam Hussein.

[Menassa]

So, new topic. Who's the whore of Babylon?

She creeps into the night after a long bender in unsteady pumps, fishnets stockings, a mini skirt, and a tube top. Her nails are painted different colors and her hair is spiked and frazzled. Her mascara runs and her face is contorted in pain - she wails into the night. Her name?

Distruzio.

I just looked up in Strong's Dictionary of Familiar Terms, and believe it or not this was the definition for heresy.

[Distruzio]

She creeps into the night after a long bender in unsteady pumps, fishnets stockings, a mini skirt, and a tube top. Her nails are painted different colors and her hair is spiked and frazzled. Her mascara runs and her face is contorted in pain - she wails into the night. Her name?

Distruzio.

I just looked up in Strong's Dictionary of Familiar Terms, and believe it or not this was the definition for heresy.

Probably so.

[Menassa]

I just looked up in Strong's Dictionary of Familiar Terms, and believe it or not this was the definition for heresy.

Probably so.

I was shocked to see that under synonyms it said: Menassa and Cathars.

[The Archregimancy]

Actually, once you accept Distruzio's narrow minded view, he's incredibly versed and good for this debate. It's like a black man engaging in enlightened Socratic debate with a member of the KKK. Just choose not to be offended and meaningful debate can be achieved.

I should also note it's only the Orthodox Church that has this view. After the II Vatican Council in 1962 the Catholic Church has put Protestantism in Good Standing, and we have some weird sort of symbiotic relationship.

Thank you but, no. The Orthodox Church does not agree with me. My Bishop and Priest assure me that I go too far and I concede that much. By engaging in these conversations I hope to break my bigotry.

It's worth stressing Distruzio's admission on that point.

The official Orthodox position, in so far as there's ever an official single Orthodox position on anything, is that Protestants are heretical Christians (though 'heretical' here is a technical theological term rather than one implying an imminent push to burn people at the stake, something which hasn't happened in an Orthodox jurisdiction since the 9th century, or thereabouts), not that they're not Christian at all. Also note that such is heterogeneity within Protestant beliefs, that it would be difficult to speak of a single Orthodox position towards all Protestantism anyway.

Distruzio is therefore not representing Orthodoxy here - as he fully concedes - but rather a personal opinion.

Indeed, you can find shades of opinion here within Orthodoxy; for example, on past posting record Distruzio likely thinks I'm too soft on Protestants, whereas I think he's far too optimistic about Orthodox-Catholic relations.

The following links may prove useful for a more official opinion on several of these points that allows people to bypass potentially flawed and biased lay opinions, such as those offered by myself an Distruzio:

http://oca.org/questions/otherconfessions
http://oca.org/questions/romancatholicism

[Nationalist State of Knox]

So, new topic. Who's the whore of Babylon?

Belgium.

[The Archregimancy]

So, new topic. Who's the whore of Babylon?

Ian Paisley.