Finding New Teachers?

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Crusading_Canuk

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Hi, in the Bible it constantly warns against going toward new teachers and heretics. This would also extend to reading their materials I assume. Recently I have started reading into the traditions of the Byzantine Catholics and the Orthodox. Would it be considered turning to new teachers if I purchased and read from the Orthodox Study Bible to gain a better understanding of the Orthodox theology.
 
No, but a study bible would not be a teaching/learning tool to learn about their church.
 
Crusading_Canuk said:
Hi, in the Bible it constantly warns against going toward new teachers and heretics. This would also extend to reading their materials I assume. Recently I have started reading into the traditions of the Byzantine Catholics and the Orthodox. Would it be considered turning to new teachers if I purchased and read from the Orthodox Study Bible to gain a better understanding of the Orthodox theology.
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No. Pope John Paul II in his Apostolic Letter, Orientale Lumen, highly recommends that all Roman Catholics familiarize themselves with the traditions of the East.

The East is not a new teacher. I think what is meant by new teachers is someone who comes with new teachings and has no authority from the Apostles or their successors.
 
ConstantineTG said:
No. Pope John Paul II in his Apostolic Letter, Orientale Lumen, highly recommends that all Roman Catholics familiarize themselves with the traditions of the East.

The East is not a new teacher. I think what is meant by new teachers is someone who comes with new teachings and has no authority from the Apostles or their successors.
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I wasn’t refering to Eastern Christianity but Orthodoxy specifically. I just wanted to chech first and I will read Orientale Lumen when I have a chance. If we are not permitted but encouraged to become aquainted with the traditions of the Orthodox, then I will be a very happy man… or well, boy! Just so we are clear, this was never a question of the Eastern Catholic Churches but of learning Eastern Orthodox theology.
 
Crusading_Canuk said:
I wasn’t refering to Eastern Christianity but Orthodoxy specifically. I just wanted to chech first and I will read Orientale Lumen when I have a chance. If we are not permitted but encouraged to become aquainted with the traditions of the Orthodox, then I will be a very happy man… or well, boy! Just so we are clear, this was never a question of the Eastern Catholic Churches but of learning Eastern Orthodox theology.
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Yes, Orientale Lumen recommends familiarizing with traditions of the East, both Orthodox and Catholic. Pope John Paul II recommends it as the best path to unity.

The theology of the Orthodox is not that different with Eastern Catholics. Although some would be more unwilling to accept any effort to reconcile Western dogma with Eastern belief. Many Eastern Catholics, while not directly believing in Original Sin or Purgatory or other dogmas, understand where the similarity lies and believe that the essentials of belief are the same, even though how it is dogmatized or taught varies in the East and West, and sometimes from the Orient. While some Orthodox may accept that as well, there are those who do not, sometimes with the simple basis that it is Catholic doctrine, thus heretical. I think the Catholic Church has made tremendous efforts to find the common ground and bring us closer to unity.

I think about 95% (rough estimate) of Orthodox belief is compatible with Catholic faith. Of course the most contentious is Papal Infallability and Papal Supremacy. Even when reading about Ecclesiastical Divorce, it helps you appreciate Oikonomia (or Economy) even though you may or may not accept Ecclesiastical Divorce itself.
 
Crusading_Canuk said:
Hi, in the Bible it constantly warns against going toward new teachers and heretics. This would also extend to reading their materials I assume. Recently I have started reading into the traditions of the Byzantine Catholics and the Orthodox. Would it be considered turning to new teachers if I purchased and read from the Orthodox Study Bible to gain a better understanding of the Orthodox theology.
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Yes, I think you should steer clear of the Orthodox Study Bible, because it likely defends heresy, be it a denial of papal primacy, a corruption of the doctrine of original sin, or a denial of purgatory and/or of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Pope Leo XIII taught: “The books of apostates, heretics, schismatics, and all writers whatsoever, defending heresy or schism, or in any way attacking the foundations of Religion, are altogether prohibited. Moreover, the books of non-Catholics, ex professo treating of Religion, are prohibited, unless they clearly contain nothing contrary to Catholic Faith” (Officiorum ac Munerum, art. I, chap. I, nn. 2-3; 25 January 1897).

users.qwest.net/~slrorer/Censorship.htm

The old Baltimore Catechism taught: “A Catholic can best safeguard his faith by… not reading books and papers opposed to the Church and her teaching” (Rev. Balt. Cat. No. 2, q. 204; pub. in 1941).

catholicity.com/baltimore-catechism/lesson16.html
 
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