Episcopalian today?

[GKC]

This sounds a lot like the argument I’ve heard attributed to C.S. Lewis, that if he converted to Catholicism, he’d be required to believe everything the RCC would teach in the future. Which he couldn’t do. And I’m paraphrasing, btw.

“The real reason why I cannot be in communion with you [Catholics] is not my disagreement with this or that Roman doctrine, but that to accept your Church means, not to accept a given body of doctrine, but to accept in advance any doctrine your Church hereafter produces. It is like being asked to agree not only to what a man has said but also to what he is going to say.”

“Christian Reunion”.

I’ve put it as a quote, but “Christian Reunion” is one of the few bits of Lewisiana that I do not own. Thus it is often cited, however.

GKC

 

[masuwerte]

Thanks, GKC.

 

[GKC]

Thanks, GKC.

You are very welcome.

GKC

 

[commenter]

“The real reason why I cannot be in communion with you [Catholics] is not my disagreement with this or that Roman doctrine, but that to accept your Church means, not to accept a given body of doctrine, but to accept in advance any doctrine your Church hereafter produces. It is like being asked to agree not only to what a man has said but also to what he is going to say.”

“Christian Reunion”.

I’ve put it as a quote, but “Christian Reunion” is** one of the few bits of Lewisiana that I do not own.** Thus it is often cited, however.

GKC

Oh, so you’re Huey Long’s grandson? I pictured you over on the East Coast somewhere.

You probably think I will use C. S.’ quote as an example of a brilliant man who, lacking the information of events after 1963, could not foresee where the real doctrinal threat would come from, nor the real safeguard. You think I will point out that had he lived longer he would perceive why the Magisterium is a needed brake against doctrinal drift, and that stools lacking that third leg would collapse, that Scripture and Tradition alone could not withstand the super human forces of “the World”, whose satanic strength after 1963 he did accurately predict, even though he was inaccurate on how the churches would respond.
But no, I have beaten that tired old argument into the ground more often than Dracula, so I will NOT force it on readers of this thread.

 

[cheezey]

I am a member of the Episcopal church, but when I’m looking to understand the Christian faith, I go to Catholic or Orthodox sources. Much of Anglicanism, it strikes me, has become a prolonged attempt to put Christian clothes on modern ideology. I’m not particularly orthodox myself, of course, since if I fully believed Catholic doctrine I would have no choice but to seek conversion. I’m at the place of wanting to believe, but being unable to do so – or perhaps I am like the rich young ruler who came to Christ, and ordered to sell his possessions, went away sad. I am much, much attached to my Episcopal parish and cannot imagine leaving it. If I moved cities, perhaps I could convert then, but I suspect that would do me little good If Christ admonished followers to put their love of him before even their own family, how can I say I love my church more than his? As yet I am not convinced of Anglicanism’ exclusion from the greater tradition that links Rome and Constantinople together.

Nicely stated.

 

[GKC]

Oh, so you’re Huey Long’s grandson? I pictured you over on the East Coast somewhere.

You probably think I will use C. S.’ quote as an example of a brilliant man who, lacking the information of events after 1963, could not foresee where the real doctrinal threat would come from, nor the real safeguard. You think I will point out that had he lived longer he would perceive why the Magisterium is a needed brake against doctrinal drift, and that stools lacking that third leg would collapse, that Scripture and Tradition alone could not withstand the super human forces of “the World”, whose satanic strength after 1963 he did accurately predict, even though he was inaccurate on how the churches would respond.
But no, I have beaten that tired old argument into the ground more often than Dracula, so I will NOT force it on readers of this thread.

Good idea.

East coast (more or less) is correct. But I have been in Huey territory, occasionally.

GKC