Any Episcopalians here?

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Sunlight90 said:
Thanks! I honestly found that to be rather surprising that some tried to get you to be more hardcore and conservative. I am guessing that you are kind of in the middle of the theological spectrum? Or perhaps you’re already “hardcore and conservative” (in quotes because I am using your words) and these people simply tried to get you to be more so? That said, if you don’t wish to share what part of the theological spectrum you are on, that is fine. Also, if you’d rather PM me about it, feel free to do that as well. 🙂

That said, I have done some research about the Episcopal Church in the past and I did know about their open Communion practice. I personally agree with this. I do not believe that Jesus would exclude anyone from receiving His most sacred body and blood that are baptized. Of course, I could be wrong as I am most definitely not Jesus. I’m just an amateur theologian with some theories of my own on different doctrines and such. I guess you could say, though, that although I am a progressive, I am also fairly mainline when it comes to doctrine and such. I do believe in the Virgin Birth of Jesus, the real and physical death and resurrection of Jesus on a cross, that the Bible is inspired, etc. I also most definitely believe in the orthodox version of the Trinity. In fact, I love the Athanasian Creed. Here it is for your reference:

ccel.org/creeds/athanasian.creed.html

That said, I really don’t know a whole lot about the Athanasian Creed (such as the date that it was formulated and by whom and all that) but I do know that it is a very good summary of the orthodox teaching of the Trinity. The only part that I have trouble with is its reference to the Church as Catholic. I am not sure if that is just the modern translation of it or if the Church Fathers who formulated literally used the word Catholic. That said, I suppose it could also be possible that the term “Catholic” back then meant the “Universal Church”. I personally choose to believe the latter more than the other theories.

That said, may God bless you on your faith journey as well. May He bless all of us Christians on our journey of faith (and indeed all those who have some sort of faith in God) and lead us all to the truth! 🙂

Ah okay. That is pretty cool. I did not know that the United Methodists, Presbyterians, Moravians, United Church of Christ, and Reformed Church in America were in full communion with the Episcopal Church. That makes me feel quite a bit better about the possibility of joining the Episcopal Church in the future. Of course, if I do choose to join, it probably will not be for at least a few months because I want to be 100% certain that this is the path that I am going to choose for myself.
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Hello. Many Catholics in reality are not as hardcore/conservative as “these people”. In quotes because I am using your words. Some of us are mainline-mainline which may be what you mean by middle of the road and some even mainline- lib on the spectrum. Which could be where I am placed based on how I understand the definitions of the spectrum and based on my readings and understanding of His life on earth. Overturning a money table in the temple once does not make one hardcore. Not when with open arms He spoke so frequently about love and peace and mercy. Blessed are the peacemakers He tells us from the mount. And speaking as He did on the things He emphasized in Matt 25:35-46 for us to express our faith in righteousness. Yes I am well aware the Church which considers me a permanent member of since the age of 1 month seems to be on a different spectrum. It saddens me greatly.

Everyone here who reads my posts on the subject knows I dissent on closed Communion. Believing He told us as much in Jn 6:37, I believe as you do that Jesus would not turn away anyone from Him. This is not Catholic teaching I’ve been informed because Catholic teaching doesn’t teach that Jesus was talking about the Eucharist yet at that point in Jn 6.

But you are correct. None of us are Jesus. And that is a central factor which drives my faith and beliefs. Because none walking earth today are Jesus, I emphasize our unity in Him and recognize He is far greater than any differences we may have. And completing our earthly walk of faith with Him, I believe we will know the Truth as He told us He was at that time when He comes again for us.

Thank you for the link and indeed may He indeed bless us all.
 
CMatt25 said:
Everyone here who reads my posts on the subject knows I dissent on closed Communion
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And just to add my :twocents: on the issue of “closed” Communion:

The CC is nothing if not consistent. Just as the CC teaches against pre-marital sex, it teaches against “open” Communion.

The Eucharist is our nuptial relationship with God; it is our** One Flesh Union** with Jesus. It is our moment of spiritual and physical intimacy with our Lord. We are the Bride and He is the Bridegroom.

If someone has not fully committed to the woman he wants to become One Flesh with, he ought not be enjoying this nuptial union.

Similarly, if someone has not fully committed to His Body, the Church, he ought not enjoy the One Flesh Union with Him in the Eucharist.
 
Ahimsa said:
You said that this is “a doctrine that cannot change”. Yet, Ordinatio said nothing about it being a doctrine that cannot change.
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All doctrines cannot “change”. They can develop, but not change.
 
Cradle Episcopalian, here, although I also go to church with my Catholic wife and son.
 
SnakeMauler said:
Why the attraction to Episcopalians anyway? Is it because they’re “similiar to the Roman Catholic church, called the one true church” but don’t have a pope (which everyone has a problem with ) and are more cool with gays?
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As Robin Williams once said "Episcopalians…also known as Catholic “light”…all the same sins…half the guilt. 😃
 
Former Episcopalian here. I honestly still visit the EC a 3 or 4 times a year. There are some really good people there. Honest people on a spiritual journey, yet, the hierarchy can be suspect at times. They push the envelope, at the cost of the members in the pews.
 
I used to be Episcopalian, then I ran into the open arms of the Catholic Church. :grouphug:

The Episcopal Church does not contain the fullness of our Lord. They’ve comprised themselves and caved into societal “norms”. Feminism, openness to homosexuality, artificial birth control, etc etc. The twisting around of scriptures proved too much for me and I had to leave.

Is it hard to be Catholic? Oh yeah. Is it worth it? Most definitely!
 
CARV said:
Paul also thought it was immoral for slaves to flle their masters…
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So how is it that you understand St. Paul’s words? Do you simply disregard them? If so, do you disregard others writings of Scripture, and what do you use for your canon?
 
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