C
crazzeto
Guest
I think it would probably help my Latin brothers and sisters to think of it this way, differences in expression don’t stop at the Mass… We have never been a Church united by expression, this I think is the mistake seen in many E. Orthodox churches, where there is a beleif that if you have correct expression then you have the correct faith, even if and when the Dogma starts getting out into left field (toll booths?).
Rather we are a faith united by belief, the best word to define belief is Dogma not Theology. Theology by it’s very nature is a form of expression, and there for as a form of expression it is best if it suites the particular faith tradition in which it exists. Now we would not attempt to invent a new expression of Dogma anymore than we would attempt to go seeking new expressions for the number four for no apparent reason because we’re libal to get it wrong at some point, this (plus a direct intent to change Dogma) is the mistake of our Protestant brothers and sisters.
But the fact that our Eastern Brothers and sisters, for instance, don’t understand that the process of Purgatory invovles purification by fire doesn’t really matter. That’s the the issue, it’s not the Dogma. We agree on the doctrine defined by Trent, we agree that there is a purgation of sin and if I’m not too mistaken (feel free to correct since I’m not an Eastern expert) that we all agree the process of purgation is painful, but results in a soul in a perfected form.
It’s easy to get hung up on the particulars, but I think it’s best when questions like this arise to go back to the source documents for the dogma and try to truely understand the forgine expression. I think that we will find this a most gratifying experience.
Rather we are a faith united by belief, the best word to define belief is Dogma not Theology. Theology by it’s very nature is a form of expression, and there for as a form of expression it is best if it suites the particular faith tradition in which it exists. Now we would not attempt to invent a new expression of Dogma anymore than we would attempt to go seeking new expressions for the number four for no apparent reason because we’re libal to get it wrong at some point, this (plus a direct intent to change Dogma) is the mistake of our Protestant brothers and sisters.
But the fact that our Eastern Brothers and sisters, for instance, don’t understand that the process of Purgatory invovles purification by fire doesn’t really matter. That’s the the issue, it’s not the Dogma. We agree on the doctrine defined by Trent, we agree that there is a purgation of sin and if I’m not too mistaken (feel free to correct since I’m not an Eastern expert) that we all agree the process of purgation is painful, but results in a soul in a perfected form.
It’s easy to get hung up on the particulars, but I think it’s best when questions like this arise to go back to the source documents for the dogma and try to truely understand the forgine expression. I think that we will find this a most gratifying experience.