Are the differences that important?

[JohnPaulSteve]

I was reading recently at another forum about how the center of gravity for Christianity is shifting to the Global South, which has its own cluster of praxes, cultural traditions, and patronomies.

In the light of this big picture, are the differences between East and West really as huge a deal as we think? Especially given the increasing trend toward globalization and cultural cross-pollination? Should we perhaps try to transcend petty squabbling over minutiae of praxis in order to address the far greater challenge of evangelizing the Global South and Far East?

I know this is a big huge question. It’s the sort of thing people discuss at a pub over a few beers. So, maybe we should discuss it in the pub-like spirit of good fellowship and bonhomie.

 

[thedejongs]

Should we perhaps try to transcend petty squabbling over minutiae of praxis?

I’m all for eliminating squabbling over minutiae of praxis. However, I’m not for "transcending"differences in theology I’m afraid that would lead only to us all becoming Unitarians in the end.

 

[JohnPaulSteve]

I’m not talking about major theological differences, my friend.

But, as a Catholic, I’m convinced there aren’t any major theological differences between East and West. I agree with the Eastern Orthodox hierarch who said that “fanaticism alone” exaggerates what he called the “insignificant” doctrinal differences between Catholics and Orthodox.

 

[Hesychios]

Is this thread about Orthodox?

If so, it is in the wrong forum, no?

 

[manualman]

The differences ARE important. But not in the way most have traditionally thought. John Paul called the Eastern traditions and the Western akin to two lungs of the church.

I wonder if another way of looking at it is like blind men describing an elephant. If there ARE multiple legitimate theological perspectives, then we have the potential to learn a LOT more about God by discerning ways in which apparently contradictory theological conclusions can actually give us DEEPER insights into the divine. If both spring true from the original deposit of faith, then any contradictions must be merely apparent, not actual.

If we merely gloss over our differences, we will probably lose out on much richness that each has to offer the other. Not by either repudiating the other, but by BOTH gaining a deeper insight into what we already know.

Easy to say. Not so easy to pull off!

 

[Alexius]

Try being an Eastern Catholic unable to find middle ground and then maybe you’ll understand that the differences are more than just subtle. Rome saying you are one of us, yet we are suppose to return to our Eastern roots…Just my experience

Prayers and petitions,
Alexius

 

[Catherine_Grant]

Is this thread about Orthodox?

If so, it is in the wrong forum, no?

If the intent were to discuss Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox relations, it would belong in NCR. Since it does not specify and the original poster is no longer here to clarify intent, it will remain here for discussion in the light of Eastern Catholicism.