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First of all You go against your own religion in condemning ours --
Now, such efforts may be bearing fruit. Lubomyr Cardinal Husar, the head of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, had suggested some time ago that Eastern Rite Catholics could act as a bridge between Rome and the Orthodox by being in full communion with both. As Catholic World News reports, Bartholomew I, the Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, has recently "welcomed the proposal in an interview with the magazine Cyril and Methodius."
From the Catholic standpoint, such a "dual unity" presents few problems, since Pope Paul VI and Bartholomew's predecessor, Patriarch Athenagoras I, lifted the mutual excommunications of 1054 between the Orthodox and Catholic Churches on December 7, 1965. Since then, the Catholic Church has allowed Orthodox to receive Holy Communion in Catholic Churches, as well as to allow Catholics to receive Communion from Orthodox priests. A New Communion for Catholics and Orthodox?
By Scott P. Richert
Or ---
Hearing the news of his death in April 2005, His All Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople sent a message of condolence to the Vatican in which he said that Pope John Paul “did not hesitate before pains and sacrifices in order to bring the message of the Gospel to the entire world and to contribute to the establishment of peace. History will also recount his crucial contribution to the fall of atheistic communism. There are not many such brave men of vision, as the departed Pope. During his passage through the Hierarchy and especially through the leadership of the Roman Catholic Church, he drew deep his traces on her and on the history of all humanity, and he has left behind the indelible imprint of his strong personality. Many of his initiatives have been inception of developments, which still advance today. He was a pioneer in many issues. For this reason, his death is a loss not only to his Church, but to all of Christianity as well, and to the international community in general, who desires peace and justice.”
Secondly to be a Shepard of a church requires diplomacy with certain governments that have control over its members -- such as Cuba, China etc. you cannot reach your members or help them get free from the many constraints imposed upon them without political diplomacy. The following is just one of Many examples:
It hasn’t been so visible on our radar screen here in the U.S., but change—in the role of the religious community, in the political process, and in the economy—has been taking place in Cuba. While important concerns about human rights and freedom of expression remain, the Cuba of today is different from the Cuba visited by the previous pontiff in 1998.
During Pope Benedict’s visit next spring, we’ll see the evidence of these ongoing changes. Restrictions on religious freedom have been eased, and the role of the churches is changing. Political prisoners have been released. (There were approximately 100 political prisoners released through the fall of 2011, and in late December the Cuban government announced that 2900 prisoners, including some classified as political prisoners, would be released as a gesture in advance of the Pope’s visit.) At the same time, the Cuban government and the Cuban Communist Party are taking steps to revive the economy, including moving toward a mixed, public-private model.
The visit will highlight the new role of the Catholic Church in Cuba, where it is playing an important role in the process of the country’s long-awaited political opening. Overall, the environment for religious freedom in Cuba has improved in the last two decades. Pope John Paul II’s 1998 trip underscored these changes—the Pope met with active Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish communities then. Those communities, along with evangelicals and Afro-Cuban religious traditions, have only gained ground in the last decade.
In recent years, the Catholic Church leadership has been involved in direct dialogues with the Cuban government; it was particularly effective in discussions that led to the release of political prisoners last year. The Church’s role hasn’t been confrontational or openly political. It has expressed pastoral concerns about Cuban society, and its conversations with the government have led to constructive outcomes.
When Pope John Paul visited Cuba in 1998, he called on Cuba to open to the world, and he called on the world to open to Cuba. It is clear today that Cuba is beginning to open economically, and we have seen at least some gestures that suggest it might be opening politically.
God throughout history had his many Prophets engage in politics with Kings and rulers to help or free his people.
Since Mary is dead, there is nothing we can give her: heaven is her reward. But, she is
due honor as any mother is due honor. Other than being a virtuous woman from the
tribe of Judah, the only requirement of Mary was that she be a virgin, in order that the
prophesy be fulfilled that the serpent's seed, which is the seed of a man, be excluded
in the Christ child, Jesus.
You seem a true-hearted warrior for your faith, albeit somewhat misguided according
to my beleifs. But let me ask you a rhetorical question(s).
What came first: the Truth or the Church? I mean, if the Church was ALL THAT, why
did God not have Adam build one, complete with all the Laws and such? I could just as
well as the same about 'Religion', but few would understand.
Many different bible translations is like many different languages (Babel); but, the
Lord's Sheep know the MASTER'S VOICE! I read the KJV.
due honor as any mother is due honor. Other than being a virtuous woman from the
tribe of Judah, the only requirement of Mary was that she be a virgin, in order that the
prophesy be fulfilled that the serpent's seed, which is the seed of a man, be excluded
in the Christ child, Jesus.
You seem a true-hearted warrior for your faith, albeit somewhat misguided according
to my beleifs. But let me ask you a rhetorical question(s).
What came first: the Truth or the Church? I mean, if the Church was ALL THAT, why
did God not have Adam build one, complete with all the Laws and such? I could just as
well as the same about 'Religion', but few would understand.
Many different bible translations is like many different languages (Babel); but, the
Lord's Sheep know the MASTER'S VOICE! I read the KJV.
S
I have believed, recently and at certain times, that the Roman Catholic Church is indeed something which God wanted to establish for Christianity but, though they are Christian, they have heresies which negate its authority as The Church of Christ.
O, and concerning what PT Bartholomew said about John Paul and about the lifted anathemas of 1054: don't take what our Patriarch says %100 of the time at heart, for he is fallible and a human being, just like the Pope himself is (yet the Pope won't admit it!).
And those lifted anathemas are not a big deal either. Do not think that holy Orthodoxy will submit itself to Rome, because the Filioque is a heresy and also the dogma of Papal Primacy is a heresy (one of The Biggest)
Its very easy for me to be convinced that the Roman Catholic Church is the true Church if it was not for its innovations, heresies, its Vatican II Council and other robber (false) councils.
O, and concerning what PT Bartholomew said about John Paul and about the lifted anathemas of 1054: don't take what our Patriarch says %100 of the time at heart, for he is fallible and a human being, just like the Pope himself is (yet the Pope won't admit it!).
And those lifted anathemas are not a big deal either. Do not think that holy Orthodoxy will submit itself to Rome, because the Filioque is a heresy and also the dogma of Papal Primacy is a heresy (one of The Biggest)
Its very easy for me to be convinced that the Roman Catholic Church is the true Church if it was not for its innovations, heresies, its Vatican II Council and other robber (false) councils.
S
Well, it has to do with the Incarnation of Christ. If you were to look into Church History, you would understand that numerous attacks were made against the Incarnation of our Lord. Doctrines of the Virgin Mary were thus created in order to destroy these pernicious heresies. During those times, pernicious wolves were surrounding the Church and trying to feed on the flock.
You will not understand why we honor Mary if you do not first understand why we honor Saints.
It is Sciptural to honor the Saints. Both the Apostle Paul, the book of Revelation and the OT book of Psalms speak of this Psa_139:17 But thy friends, O God, have been greatly honoured by me; their rule has been greatly strengthened.
For the Saints shall judge the world:
Psa_149:9 to execute on them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints.
Have you ever read Church History at all?
Well, its not my words that show who I really am but my inner condition (Matthew 15:18). I must "clean the inside of the cup and dish"(Luke 11:39). Because only the "Pure in Heart" shall see God (Matthew 5:8)
God would not build Adam a church because Adam was in Paradise. The Church is just the assembly of God which is the keeper of the Truth of Christianity. I am just saying that the Truth of Christianity is only kept in it because it is the "Ground and pillar of the Truth" (1 Tim 3:15) The verse implies that the Church is an actual assembly which keeps the depository of the whole Truth of God.
You will not understand why we honor Mary if you do not first understand why we honor Saints.
It is Sciptural to honor the Saints. Both the Apostle Paul, the book of Revelation and the OT book of Psalms speak of this Psa_139:17 But thy friends, O God, have been greatly honoured by me; their rule has been greatly strengthened.
For the Saints shall judge the world:
Psa_149:9 to execute on them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints.
Have you ever read Church History at all?
Well, its not my words that show who I really am but my inner condition (Matthew 15:18). I must "clean the inside of the cup and dish"(Luke 11:39). Because only the "Pure in Heart" shall see God (Matthew 5:8)
God would not build Adam a church because Adam was in Paradise. The Church is just the assembly of God which is the keeper of the Truth of Christianity. I am just saying that the Truth of Christianity is only kept in it because it is the "Ground and pillar of the Truth" (1 Tim 3:15) The verse implies that the Church is an actual assembly which keeps the depository of the whole Truth of God.
S
It is very true, there are Christians who are not very christlike and say they are christians but are not really in heart. But, what use does brooding over this help us? We ourselves should dust off ourselves before pointing fingers at others, and only when we are spotless can we point fingers.
Two evils do not make a good. For who knows, what if my own Christian walk ends up being shipwrecked (I go to Hell) while the one I am accusing of makes it across the sea of this life into eternal life?
That is why we must not judge others because it keeps us from taking care of our own spiritual lives. Also, God is in Heaven, he is a mighty Lord, fearful in power, you yourself must reconcile yourself to Him for He Alone is worthy of honor and glory, dominion and majesty.
If you are talking about me, i'm all for it. This is what I am, a bad Christian, but I am growing more everyday by the grace of God.
Two evils do not make a good. For who knows, what if my own Christian walk ends up being shipwrecked (I go to Hell) while the one I am accusing of makes it across the sea of this life into eternal life?
That is why we must not judge others because it keeps us from taking care of our own spiritual lives. Also, God is in Heaven, he is a mighty Lord, fearful in power, you yourself must reconcile yourself to Him for He Alone is worthy of honor and glory, dominion and majesty.
If you are talking about me, i'm all for it. This is what I am, a bad Christian, but I am growing more everyday by the grace of God.
S
It is Gods Spirit which sanctifies the Sacraments only if they are performed by valid presbyters. The Sacraments are the channels of divine grace. They are the only way to get the Holy Spirit of God into one's own body. For the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, and it is only through our bodies that we have any spiritual life at all.
Once the Holy Spirit has been given in Holy Baptism and then Holy Chrismation (which is a type of laying on of hands), the creature of God becomes a temple of the Holy Spirit. After this is done, Holy Communion then becomes the most important Sacrament which keeps the person filled with divine grace and keep the grace of Holy Baptism alight.
Sanctification means a complete deification and transformation. A change from the earthly man into the Heavenly man. It is a complete change. By no means something intellectual or just a simple feeling. It permeates our very substance and being, body, soul and spirit.
Once the Holy Spirit has been given in Holy Baptism and then Holy Chrismation (which is a type of laying on of hands), the creature of God becomes a temple of the Holy Spirit. After this is done, Holy Communion then becomes the most important Sacrament which keeps the person filled with divine grace and keep the grace of Holy Baptism alight.
Sanctification means a complete deification and transformation. A change from the earthly man into the Heavenly man. It is a complete change. By no means something intellectual or just a simple feeling. It permeates our very substance and being, body, soul and spirit.
Because the Bible ISN'T the ONLY source of Truth. The Church predates the Bible. Even if somehow, every single copy of the Scriptures was wiped out from existence, we'd still have the Christian faith because we'd have the Church.
That said, it's a matter of figuring out which church is THE Church. I for one feel that the Catholic Church is THE Church. Obviously the original poster (OP) of this thread feels the Eastern Orthodox Church is THE Church.
That said, it's a matter of figuring out which church is THE Church. I for one feel that the Catholic Church is THE Church. Obviously the original poster (OP) of this thread feels the Eastern Orthodox Church is THE Church.
Doesn't faith alone (Protestantism) lead to unnecessary complications, open to serious problems with logical consequences? Faith minus works saves? Faith minus repenting? Faith minus turning away from sins?
From sin?
God is faithful to those who are faithful to God. God doesn't reward impenitence.
No. We are not perfect in this life. We still need to obey God, even if it is sometimes true we don't always obey perfectly. I John reminds us if any one (man) sin(s), we have a righteous Advocate with God the Father, our LORD Jesus Christ.
Not by our righteous deeds which we have done, but by His mercy, Christ saves (saved) us (Titus 3:5).
ALL of Jesus' followers are THE church, regardless of which group they belong to. If they are following Him, then they are His church. He who unites us is SO much greater than anything that could divide us...........
The following groups are Jesus' followers, but they don't believe that Christ is LORD. Christ warned clearly,
"Unless ye believe that I AM He (I AM God), ye shall die in your sins."
Jehovah's Witnesses
Christadelphians
Swedenborgians
Armstrongists Worldwide Church of God
Way International
Unification church
Branhamites
Mormons (Christs is a lord, a god, but not the One God).