Coptic Orthodox Church

  • Thread starter Thread starter holdencaulfield
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
Historically definitely the latter, now there’s mixed opinions as far as I know
 
My understanding is that they rejected the Council’s teaching on the two wills of Christ, regarding it as heretical. However, in recent times dialogue has revealed that they use terminology differently. When they say that they believe Christ had one will, they mean that His Divine Will and Human Will are not at war. He does only one thing. He isn’t “schizophrenic.” In other words, He wills only one thing. He doesn’t have two wills fighting only to have the Divine Will win out. We have two wills in this sense: our will to do good is at war with out will to sin. If I am not mistaken, this newfound discovery has them moving closer toward reunion.

Peace and God bless
 
My understanding is that they rejected the Council’s teaching on the two wills of Christ, regarding it as heretical. However, in recent times dialogue has revealed that they use terminology differently. When they say that they believe Christ had one will, they mean that His Divine Will and Human Will are not at war. He does only one thing. He isn’t “schizophrenic.” In other words, He wills only one thing. He doesn’t have two wills fighting only to have the Divine Will win out. We have two wills in this sense: our will to do good is at war with out will to sin. If I am not mistaken, this newfound discovery has them moving closer toward reunion.

Peace and God bless
I would have to go back and re-read the Council, but from what I remember reading the Council took great care to show these two Wills were not “at war” but in harmony. If that is the case then either the Copts originally were embracing heresy, or the badly misunderstood the Council.
 
My understanding is that they rejected the Council’s teaching on the two wills of Christ, regarding it as heretical. However, in recent times dialogue has revealed that they use terminology differently. When they say that they believe Christ had one will, they mean that His Divine Will and Human Will are not at war. He does only one thing. He isn’t “schizophrenic.” In other words, He wills only one thing. He doesn’t have two wills fighting only to have the Divine Will win out. We have two wills in this sense: our will to do good is at war with out will to sin. If I am not mistaken, this newfound discovery has them moving closer toward reunion.

Peace and God bless
That is quite similar to the Catholic view on this, and also Pope Honorius’ stance.
 
That is a good point.
I think it may have been an unnecessary schism, like the Filioque with the Eastern Orthodox. I think that the Eastern Orthodox were merely looking for a reason to schism because they were sick of the Papacy.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top