Being a Berean: I apologize if I seem heretical at times

[Madaglan]

I just wanted to add a disclaimer, for all those who read my posts, that it’s not my intention to write an invective against the Catholic Church–although it may seem so. It’s just that right now I’m at a stage in my life (I’m 21) when I know that there are numerous churches, each claiming to be the one Church founded by Christ; but I do not yet know enough about all the history, theology, support of Church Fathers, etc. to come to any firm conclusions, confirmed by faith.

Oftentimes in my posts I’ll adopt the tone of a fundamentalist, an Orthodox, a Deist, and even a Traditional Catholic. For the most part I adopt these tones, not because I necessarily agree with the beliefs of these groups, but because I really want to discern what is of truth and what is most likely man-created. I feel that the best way to do this is by asking questions, even ones that challenge what has been given to us. St. Thomas Aquinas, one of my heroes, asks some pretty rough questions, too. Maybe I take after him . In any case, I apologize for any misconceptions.

 

[DavidFilmer]

Madaglan:

… I know that there are numerous churches, each claiming to be the one Church founded by Christ…

The Catholic Church is the only Church I am aware of that actually makes this claim as a de fide doctrine. Could you please cite the source (or URL) for ANY other Church making this claim? I would be VERY interested to learn of such a claim.

 

[Madaglan]

Originally Quoted by DavidFilmer:

The Catholic Church is the only Church I am aware of that actually makes this claim as a de fide doctrine. Could you please cite the source (or URL) for ANY other Church making this claim? I would be VERY interested to learn of such a claim.

I’m not exactly sure what you meant by that–but here is a Greek Orthodox link making the claim to be the Church founded by Christ and his apostles.

holytrinity.ct.goarch.org/gocwaw.html

 

[Fiat]

Doesn’t the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints also claim to be the true church?

Fiat

 

[Madaglan]

Here’s a link Fr. Ambrose put up:
orthodoxresearchinstitute.org/articles/ecumenical/gocamerica_faith_order_sept_1957.htm

I’m not sure about the Church of Latter Day Saints. I know they claim to be of the same faith as the original apostles; but I don’t know much more about them.

 

[shannin]

Madaglan:

I’m not exactly sure what you meant by that–but here is a Greek Orthodox link making the claim to be the Church founded by Christ and his apostles.

holytrinity.ct.goarch.org/gocwaw.html

The Seventh Day Adventists say that they are the one true church for numerous reasons. They are the only Christian church that keeps the sabbath from sunrise to sundown on Saturday…“Thou Shalt Keep Holy on the Lord’s Day.” They feel that because the Catholics changed God’s commandment to worship on the 7th day (Saturday) to Sunday, that we are going against God’s command.

Shannin

 

[Fidelis]

Iglesia Ni Cristi, a Filipino sect, also claims to be the restored “true Church.” Catholic Answers has an article about them under “Non-Catholic Religions.”

 

[FelixBlue]

Funny, I always assumed you were Catholic. But then again, I’m not on the lookout for “trolls”.

So a baptist?

 

[RobedWithLight]

I for one find your posts interesting, since I’ve always felt you are really interested in asking questions, indicating that you are still searching. I do hope you eventually find it here.

Gerry

 

[puzzleannie]

I am not sure what it means to be a Berean, the only time I ever saw that word was on another post on this forum. Please elucidate.

 

[Madaglan]

Originally Quoted by Puzzleannie:

I am not sure what it means to be a Berean, the only time I ever saw that word was on another post on this forum. Please elucidate.

I am referring to an event in the Book of Acts:

*In Berea *

10As soon as it was night, the brothers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. 11Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. 12Many of the Jews believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men.
(Acts 17.10-12)

Basically I was saying that I apologize if I appear to question everything too much. I guess when I first typed the post I was working from memory and didn’t remember that, in addition to questioning everything, the Bereans were seen as “noble” for doing so. I didn’t mean to praise myself when I compared myself to Bereans. I just meant that I do not too readily accept what I am told, but instead investigate to see if it is true or not. Does that help? *