A
agiosotheos
Guest
Agreed, though I’m sure I do not agree with you on who the Catholic Church is.
- Status
A
agiosotheos
Guest
Yes. There have been better criticisms of Protestantism.
A
agiosotheos
Guest
Actually, they sent the entire Augsburg Confession. I don’t know that any of the points that Jeremiah objected to were from the 95 Theses.
A
agiosotheos
Guest
And so did Rome.
A
agiosotheos
Guest
Yup.The Orthodox probably agree with both of these posts.
Jon
S
SingleMomMonica
Guest
Now that is an interesting fact!
Which of their heretical beliefs were they clinging to? Something that they inherited from Rome, so one that they created on their own?
A
agiosotheos
Guest
The doctrines that Jeremiah appears to have primarily focused on were ones that they did not have in common with Rome: Protestant distinctives.Now that is an interesting fact!
F
firstmode
Guest
45AD - Present - Gnosticism-- dualistic worldview, gnosis is Greek for “knowledge”–
Gnostics did not share all the same beliefs; 13 papyrus volumes of Gnostic texts were discovered in Nag Hammadi, Egypt in the middle of the 20th century. They have given invaluable insight into this diverse movement. According to the Gnostic Society Archives, “Gnosticism is the teaching based on Gnosis, the knowledge of transcendence arrived at by way of interior, intuitive means. Although Gnosticism thus rests on personal religious experience, it is a mistake to assume all such experience results in Gnostic recognitions.”
1ST CENTURY - Marcionism-- Rejection of the Old Testament and differentiation between a superior God of goodness and a God of justice, the Creator God of the Jews-- Marcion proposed the first canon based on the “Western text”: it consisted of Luke and ten of Paul’s epistles; however he deleted any references in these that appeared to approve of the Old Testament and the Creator God of the Jews. He also made other changes to the materials. His proposal helped to spur others to respond with other canons that retained the Hebrew scriptures and did not reject Christianity’s Judeo-heritage.
1ST CENTURY - Ebionite-- Jesus regarded as prophet rather than divine Word of God- Ebionites originally were a first century Jewish-Christian sect. They emphasized Jewish law and rejected Paul’s teachings. Most considered him to be a man, not God. Later use of this term refers to anyone who minimizes the divinity of Christ.
110AD - Docetism-- Jesus wholly divine – his humanity and suffering only seemed to be real-- This heresy emerged in about 110 C. E. The term “docetism” is derived from the Greek word dokesis, “to seem.” Ignatius warned the church of Smyrna of the danger of this new heresy.
120 - 173AD - Encratite–sexual continence required for salvation-- The word “Encratite” comes from the Greek word enkrateia, meaning “continence.” It is a name applied to several early Christian sects, most of which were Gnostic. Encratites were ascetics who refrained from alcohol, animal products, and sex. Their ascetic practices were not heteretical but rather the theology upon which their continence was based. The name of Tatian (c. 120-173 CE), who edited a complilation of the gospels called the Diatesseron is associated with this heresy. Around 172, Tatian became a Gnostic of the Encratite sect. Tatian reinterpreted the story of Adam and Eve and Christian documents such as 1 Corinthians 7:3-6 to support the idea that humans must abandon sexual intercourse in order to regain the Spirit of God that had been lost because of Adam and Eve’s fraility. People were to be married to God, not to each other.
170 AD - Montanism-- An apocalyptic movement emphasizing revelation named after its leader Montanus-- Called “the New Prophecy” by its followers, Montanism, which began about 170 A.D., emphasized prophecy, direct revelation from the Holy Spirit, and a strict moral code. Two women, Priscilla and Maximilla, were leaders who delivered messages while in states of ecstasy. It announced that Jesus was about to return. It spread to Asia Minor, Antioch, Syria, and Rome. In the East, the Book of Revelation was initially rejected because it was considered to be tainted by Montanism. In the West, the Book of Hebrews was reject for similar reasons.
215 - 75AD - Manichaeism-- Dualistic religion (good vs. evil, etc.) founded in Persia (Iran) by Syriac-speaking Manes (215-75 A.D.) – This belief system is a blend of Gnostic Christianity, Buddhism, and Zoroastrianism.
3RD CENTURY - Monarchianism–Undivided unity and sovereignty (monarchia) of God–
This viewpoint flourished in the 3rd century among eastern and western Christians. Dynamic Monarchianism - Jesus a human who became a God-- Modalistic Monarchianism - Argued that the Trinity is one God with different modes of divine action rather than distinct persons.
3RD CENTURY - Sabellianism-- See Modalistic Monarchianism-- Sabellius originated this theory of the Trinity, which flourished in the 3rd century.
Gnostics did not share all the same beliefs; 13 papyrus volumes of Gnostic texts were discovered in Nag Hammadi, Egypt in the middle of the 20th century. They have given invaluable insight into this diverse movement. According to the Gnostic Society Archives, “Gnosticism is the teaching based on Gnosis, the knowledge of transcendence arrived at by way of interior, intuitive means. Although Gnosticism thus rests on personal religious experience, it is a mistake to assume all such experience results in Gnostic recognitions.”
1ST CENTURY - Marcionism-- Rejection of the Old Testament and differentiation between a superior God of goodness and a God of justice, the Creator God of the Jews-- Marcion proposed the first canon based on the “Western text”: it consisted of Luke and ten of Paul’s epistles; however he deleted any references in these that appeared to approve of the Old Testament and the Creator God of the Jews. He also made other changes to the materials. His proposal helped to spur others to respond with other canons that retained the Hebrew scriptures and did not reject Christianity’s Judeo-heritage.
1ST CENTURY - Ebionite-- Jesus regarded as prophet rather than divine Word of God- Ebionites originally were a first century Jewish-Christian sect. They emphasized Jewish law and rejected Paul’s teachings. Most considered him to be a man, not God. Later use of this term refers to anyone who minimizes the divinity of Christ.
110AD - Docetism-- Jesus wholly divine – his humanity and suffering only seemed to be real-- This heresy emerged in about 110 C. E. The term “docetism” is derived from the Greek word dokesis, “to seem.” Ignatius warned the church of Smyrna of the danger of this new heresy.
120 - 173AD - Encratite–sexual continence required for salvation-- The word “Encratite” comes from the Greek word enkrateia, meaning “continence.” It is a name applied to several early Christian sects, most of which were Gnostic. Encratites were ascetics who refrained from alcohol, animal products, and sex. Their ascetic practices were not heteretical but rather the theology upon which their continence was based. The name of Tatian (c. 120-173 CE), who edited a complilation of the gospels called the Diatesseron is associated with this heresy. Around 172, Tatian became a Gnostic of the Encratite sect. Tatian reinterpreted the story of Adam and Eve and Christian documents such as 1 Corinthians 7:3-6 to support the idea that humans must abandon sexual intercourse in order to regain the Spirit of God that had been lost because of Adam and Eve’s fraility. People were to be married to God, not to each other.
170 AD - Montanism-- An apocalyptic movement emphasizing revelation named after its leader Montanus-- Called “the New Prophecy” by its followers, Montanism, which began about 170 A.D., emphasized prophecy, direct revelation from the Holy Spirit, and a strict moral code. Two women, Priscilla and Maximilla, were leaders who delivered messages while in states of ecstasy. It announced that Jesus was about to return. It spread to Asia Minor, Antioch, Syria, and Rome. In the East, the Book of Revelation was initially rejected because it was considered to be tainted by Montanism. In the West, the Book of Hebrews was reject for similar reasons.
215 - 75AD - Manichaeism-- Dualistic religion (good vs. evil, etc.) founded in Persia (Iran) by Syriac-speaking Manes (215-75 A.D.) – This belief system is a blend of Gnostic Christianity, Buddhism, and Zoroastrianism.
3RD CENTURY - Monarchianism–Undivided unity and sovereignty (monarchia) of God–
This viewpoint flourished in the 3rd century among eastern and western Christians. Dynamic Monarchianism - Jesus a human who became a God-- Modalistic Monarchianism - Argued that the Trinity is one God with different modes of divine action rather than distinct persons.
3RD CENTURY - Sabellianism-- See Modalistic Monarchianism-- Sabellius originated this theory of the Trinity, which flourished in the 3rd century.
F
firstmode
Guest
311AD - Donatism–personal holiness of individuals validates a church office–
Donatism, named after its leader Donatus the Great, was a form of North African Christianity that glorified martyrdom (“cult of the martyrs”). The Donatist controversy emerged about 311 but its origins were in the times following Diocletian’s first edict against Christians (February 24, 303). The emperor commanded their churches to be destroyed and their Sacred Books burned.He outlawed Christianity. Anyone who apostasized during that time by giving up the Sacred Books, by delivering sacred objects, or betraying other Christians to the government authorities were called a traditor. The Donatist schism began around 311 when a Caecilian, a man who opposed the cult of the martyrs, was irregularly elected bishop of Carthage, after the equally disliked (by the Donatists) Mensurius died. The Donatists argued that Caecilian’s ordination was invalid because one of the men who ordained him was a traditor. When Constantine recognized Caecilian, the Donatists appealed. Ultimately, at Constantine’s referral, a bishop’s council that met in Arles, Gaul (314) rejected the Donatists’ argument that a morally unworthy clergyman could not perform valid ecclessial actions. A schism then occurred with the Donatists claiming that they were the only true church. Later Augustine of Hippo (354-430) also spent a great deal of energy fighting Donatism. The schismatic African church remained into the seventh century, when both it and Roman Catholicism were overcome by the Islamic religion.
318AD - Arianism-- Jesus less than God – more than human-- The Arian controversy began in Alexandria, Egypt about 318 AD. Arius (c. 250-c. 336) was a popular Alexandrian priest whose theology about who Jesus was was condemned as heretical by the First Council of Nicaea in 325 and also at the First Council of Constantinople in 381. Arius disagreed with the Bishop Alexander of Alexandria’s idea of the Trinity. Arius thought that Alexander was confusing the Son with the Father, who stressed the divinity of the Logos and also his exact likeness with the Father. Arius argued that Jesus, the Logos, was a “creature” who was “begotten” of the Father, who was “unbegotten.” Arius, like Origen, believed that the Father was the only true God. The Nicene Creed was written to respond to Arianism.
350AD - Apollinarianism-- Jesus fully God – partially or incompletely human-- Appollinaris’ (c. 350) views of Christ’s nature were condemned at the Council of Constantinople in 381.
410AD - Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East
428AD - Nestorianism-- Refers to theology of Nestorius of Antioch, who became Bishop of Constantinople in 428 A.D. Nestorius believed that Mary was mother only of the human Jesus, not the divine Logos and in the Antiochine “two-nature” Christology. Cyril of Alexandria (who had the female Platonist philosopher Hypatia murdered in 415) first attacked his doctrines in a letter in 428. In his third letter to Nestorius (430), Cyril attacked Nestorius’ Christology and demanded that he agree with Cyril’s 12 Anathemas, which condemned the Antiochine theology of two natures. Nestorius was to agree that the Word of God suffered in the flesh (not that only the human part of Jesus suffered). Politics became heaviest at the Council of Ephesus in 431. Nestorius’ strongest supporters, John of Antioch and other Syrians were delayed because of weather. Nestorius himself was given military protection because of danger to his person at the hands of the monks related to Memnon, bishop of Ephesus and strong supporter of Cyril. Nestorius’ views were misrepresented --he was accused of teaching that Christ was only an human being-- and he was excommunicated. Four days later, the Syrians arrived and condemned Cyril and Memnon. Then the Roman delegates of Pope Celestine arrived and deposed John of Antioch. In short, the situation was a mess and the bad feelings and actions did not end at Ephesus. (See a church history book for more information.) In 435, Nestorius, who continued to insist on his innocence, was exiled to the Egyptian desert. Certain bishops in Syria agreed with Nestorius and founded a new church. There still is a small Nestorian church based in Iran, whose New Testament canon is the smallest of Christian churches (22 instead of 27 books)
433AD - Eutychianism-- Christ has but one nature, divine-- Named after Eutyches of Constantinople, who with Chrysphius, and Dioscoros tried in 433 to make the 12 Anathemas of Cyril of Alexandria the standard of orthodoxy and “do in” the “inspired man” Christology of Antioch. A goal was to make Alexandria, instead of Constantinople, the second most powerful see in Christendom (next to Rome). From Cyril, Eutyches argued that Christ was one nature after the union. (See also Monophysitism and Nestorianism.)
Donatism, named after its leader Donatus the Great, was a form of North African Christianity that glorified martyrdom (“cult of the martyrs”). The Donatist controversy emerged about 311 but its origins were in the times following Diocletian’s first edict against Christians (February 24, 303). The emperor commanded their churches to be destroyed and their Sacred Books burned.He outlawed Christianity. Anyone who apostasized during that time by giving up the Sacred Books, by delivering sacred objects, or betraying other Christians to the government authorities were called a traditor. The Donatist schism began around 311 when a Caecilian, a man who opposed the cult of the martyrs, was irregularly elected bishop of Carthage, after the equally disliked (by the Donatists) Mensurius died. The Donatists argued that Caecilian’s ordination was invalid because one of the men who ordained him was a traditor. When Constantine recognized Caecilian, the Donatists appealed. Ultimately, at Constantine’s referral, a bishop’s council that met in Arles, Gaul (314) rejected the Donatists’ argument that a morally unworthy clergyman could not perform valid ecclessial actions. A schism then occurred with the Donatists claiming that they were the only true church. Later Augustine of Hippo (354-430) also spent a great deal of energy fighting Donatism. The schismatic African church remained into the seventh century, when both it and Roman Catholicism were overcome by the Islamic religion.
318AD - Arianism-- Jesus less than God – more than human-- The Arian controversy began in Alexandria, Egypt about 318 AD. Arius (c. 250-c. 336) was a popular Alexandrian priest whose theology about who Jesus was was condemned as heretical by the First Council of Nicaea in 325 and also at the First Council of Constantinople in 381. Arius disagreed with the Bishop Alexander of Alexandria’s idea of the Trinity. Arius thought that Alexander was confusing the Son with the Father, who stressed the divinity of the Logos and also his exact likeness with the Father. Arius argued that Jesus, the Logos, was a “creature” who was “begotten” of the Father, who was “unbegotten.” Arius, like Origen, believed that the Father was the only true God. The Nicene Creed was written to respond to Arianism.
350AD - Apollinarianism-- Jesus fully God – partially or incompletely human-- Appollinaris’ (c. 350) views of Christ’s nature were condemned at the Council of Constantinople in 381.
410AD - Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East
428AD - Nestorianism-- Refers to theology of Nestorius of Antioch, who became Bishop of Constantinople in 428 A.D. Nestorius believed that Mary was mother only of the human Jesus, not the divine Logos and in the Antiochine “two-nature” Christology. Cyril of Alexandria (who had the female Platonist philosopher Hypatia murdered in 415) first attacked his doctrines in a letter in 428. In his third letter to Nestorius (430), Cyril attacked Nestorius’ Christology and demanded that he agree with Cyril’s 12 Anathemas, which condemned the Antiochine theology of two natures. Nestorius was to agree that the Word of God suffered in the flesh (not that only the human part of Jesus suffered). Politics became heaviest at the Council of Ephesus in 431. Nestorius’ strongest supporters, John of Antioch and other Syrians were delayed because of weather. Nestorius himself was given military protection because of danger to his person at the hands of the monks related to Memnon, bishop of Ephesus and strong supporter of Cyril. Nestorius’ views were misrepresented --he was accused of teaching that Christ was only an human being-- and he was excommunicated. Four days later, the Syrians arrived and condemned Cyril and Memnon. Then the Roman delegates of Pope Celestine arrived and deposed John of Antioch. In short, the situation was a mess and the bad feelings and actions did not end at Ephesus. (See a church history book for more information.) In 435, Nestorius, who continued to insist on his innocence, was exiled to the Egyptian desert. Certain bishops in Syria agreed with Nestorius and founded a new church. There still is a small Nestorian church based in Iran, whose New Testament canon is the smallest of Christian churches (22 instead of 27 books)
433AD - Eutychianism-- Christ has but one nature, divine-- Named after Eutyches of Constantinople, who with Chrysphius, and Dioscoros tried in 433 to make the 12 Anathemas of Cyril of Alexandria the standard of orthodoxy and “do in” the “inspired man” Christology of Antioch. A goal was to make Alexandria, instead of Constantinople, the second most powerful see in Christendom (next to Rome). From Cyril, Eutyches argued that Christ was one nature after the union. (See also Monophysitism and Nestorianism.)
F
firstmode
Guest
451AD - ORIENTAL ORTHODOX CHURCH - Monophysitism–Jesus was a God with human attributes; he had one (mono) dominant nature: divine-- Monophysitism was popular in Palestine, Egypt, and Antioch. The fourth church council Chalcedon declared this belief to be heresy in 451. Descendents of the groups declared heretical still exist today: they are the Oriental Orthodox churches, who accept the first three church councils but not the fourth Their biblical canons are also different from the Roman Catholic Church. These churches, who are in ecumenical dialogue concerning the split of the church, prefer to be called “non-Chalcedonian.” The Oriental Orthodox churches include:
The Coptic Church of Egypt
The Ethiopian Orthodox Church
The Syrian Orthodox Church
The Armenian Orthodox Church
The Malankara (Indian) Orthodox Church
A web page about the Coptic Church says: "The Coptic Church has never believed in monophysitism the way it was portrayed in the Council of Chalcedon! " An Ethiopian Orthodox Church web page says,
The Ethiopian Church belongs to the group of Orthodox Churches wrongly termed “Monophysite” but which prefer the epithet “Non-Chalcedonian.” The other members of this family are the Coptic, Armenian, Syrian and Indian Churches. Together with the Roman Catholic Church and the Byzantine Orthodox Church they comprised the One Church for four centuries until the division arose on account of the Council of Chalcedon in 451 which insisted that Christ had the two natures of humanity and divinity.
The Oriental Orthodox churches have been responsible for the preservations of a number of ancient manuscripts that might otherwise have been lost. The Ethiopian Orthodox church has the largest Christian canon.
7TH CENTURY - Monothelitism-- Jesus’s acts expressed one divine-human energia instead of two cooperating wills-- A Christology proposed in the 7th century by the patriarchs of Constantinople and Alexandria in an attempt to unify the Eastern church which had be split by the monophysite controversy. The Maronite Church in Syria today holds to this monthelite view.
1054AD - East–West Schism - The East–West Schism, or The Great Schism, divided medieval Christianity into Eastern (Greek) and Western (Latin) branches, which later became known as the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church, respectively. Relations between East and West had long been embittered by political and ecclesiastical differences and theological disputes.[1] Pope Leo IX and Patriarch of Constantinople Michael Cerularius heightened the conflict by suppressing Greek and Latin in their respective domains. In 1054, Roman legates travelled to Cerularius to deny him the title Ecumenical Patriarch and to insist that he recognize the Church of Rome’s claim to be the head and mother of the churches.[1] Cerularius refused. The leader of the Latin contingent, Cardinal Humbert, excommunicated Cerularius, while Cerularius in return excommunicated Cardinal Humbert and other legates.[1]
1517AD - The Protestant Reformation (1517–1648) was the European Christian reform movement that established Protestantism as a constituent branch of contemporary Christianity; it began in 1517, when Martin Luther published Ninety-Five Theses on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences, and concluded in 1648, with the Peace of Westphalia that ended one hundred thirty-one years of consequent European religious wars.[1]
1964AD - The Ancient Church of the East (Syriac: ܥܕܬܐ ܥܬܝܩܬܐ ܕܡܕܢܚܐ, Arabic: كنيسة المشرق القديمة) separated from the Assyrian Church of the East in 1964, after Mar Eshai Shimun XXIII, the Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East introduced reforms which were not supported by a certain number of traditionalist followers of the church. Baghdad is the seat of the Ancient Church of the East and Mar Thoma Darmo its first Catholicos-Patriarch (1968-1969). The present head of the church is Catholicos-Patriarch Mar Addai II since 1970.
The Coptic Church of Egypt
The Ethiopian Orthodox Church
The Syrian Orthodox Church
The Armenian Orthodox Church
The Malankara (Indian) Orthodox Church
A web page about the Coptic Church says: "The Coptic Church has never believed in monophysitism the way it was portrayed in the Council of Chalcedon! " An Ethiopian Orthodox Church web page says,
The Ethiopian Church belongs to the group of Orthodox Churches wrongly termed “Monophysite” but which prefer the epithet “Non-Chalcedonian.” The other members of this family are the Coptic, Armenian, Syrian and Indian Churches. Together with the Roman Catholic Church and the Byzantine Orthodox Church they comprised the One Church for four centuries until the division arose on account of the Council of Chalcedon in 451 which insisted that Christ had the two natures of humanity and divinity.
The Oriental Orthodox churches have been responsible for the preservations of a number of ancient manuscripts that might otherwise have been lost. The Ethiopian Orthodox church has the largest Christian canon.
7TH CENTURY - Monothelitism-- Jesus’s acts expressed one divine-human energia instead of two cooperating wills-- A Christology proposed in the 7th century by the patriarchs of Constantinople and Alexandria in an attempt to unify the Eastern church which had be split by the monophysite controversy. The Maronite Church in Syria today holds to this monthelite view.
1054AD - East–West Schism - The East–West Schism, or The Great Schism, divided medieval Christianity into Eastern (Greek) and Western (Latin) branches, which later became known as the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church, respectively. Relations between East and West had long been embittered by political and ecclesiastical differences and theological disputes.[1] Pope Leo IX and Patriarch of Constantinople Michael Cerularius heightened the conflict by suppressing Greek and Latin in their respective domains. In 1054, Roman legates travelled to Cerularius to deny him the title Ecumenical Patriarch and to insist that he recognize the Church of Rome’s claim to be the head and mother of the churches.[1] Cerularius refused. The leader of the Latin contingent, Cardinal Humbert, excommunicated Cerularius, while Cerularius in return excommunicated Cardinal Humbert and other legates.[1]
1517AD - The Protestant Reformation (1517–1648) was the European Christian reform movement that established Protestantism as a constituent branch of contemporary Christianity; it began in 1517, when Martin Luther published Ninety-Five Theses on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences, and concluded in 1648, with the Peace of Westphalia that ended one hundred thirty-one years of consequent European religious wars.[1]
1964AD - The Ancient Church of the East (Syriac: ܥܕܬܐ ܥܬܝܩܬܐ ܕܡܕܢܚܐ, Arabic: كنيسة المشرق القديمة) separated from the Assyrian Church of the East in 1964, after Mar Eshai Shimun XXIII, the Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East introduced reforms which were not supported by a certain number of traditionalist followers of the church. Baghdad is the seat of the Ancient Church of the East and Mar Thoma Darmo its first Catholicos-Patriarch (1968-1969). The present head of the church is Catholicos-Patriarch Mar Addai II since 1970.
G
gcnuss
Guest
Pondering the subject question in this thread, I recalled the words of Gamaliel in speaking to the Jewish council during their discussions of what to do with those who followed Christ –
S
Sword_Brethren
Guest
Wrong
S
Sword_Brethren
Guest
Wrong and false teaching
H
Hiskid1973
Guest
My guess is that your always correct and you know the scriptures inside out…
S
Sword_Brethren
Guest
No, the Holy Catholic Church in always correct, in faith and morals.
S
Sword_Brethren
Guest
Wrong
Deuteronomy 25 6-9
“And the first son he shall have of her he shall call by his name, that his name be not abolished out of Israel. 7 But if he will not take his brother’s wife, who by law belongeth to him, the woman shall go to the gate of the city, and call upon the ancients, and say: My husband’s brother refuseth to raise up his brother’s name in Israel: and will not take me to wife. 8 And they shall cause him to be sent for forthwith, and shall ask him. If he answer: I will not take her to wife: 9 The woman shall come to him before the ancients, and shall take off his shoe from his foot, and** spit in his face**,”
A jewish man would not be killed for this but “spit in his face” was the punishment. Onan was killed because of his use of birth control.
H
Hiskid1973
Guest
Onan disobeyed one of the laws in the OT times…He paid for it…It was an attitude in his heart…
Just curious…Does your church’s birth control dogmas come from this?
Just curious…Does your church’s birth control dogmas come from this?
H
Hiskid1973
Guest
Is the Orthodox church always correct in it’s faith and morals? You didn,t answer if your proficient in the sacred scritpures ?
P
piejesu
Guest
This one is much too easy.
“We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose.” Rom. 8:28
Now where one is in relationship to Christ doctrinally, theologically, and ecclesiastically, is another matter…
G
gurneyhalleck1
Guest
True, but that’s not the OP’s point. Perfect unity was never a reality. But unity was preserved as the Church organically stayed whole, one, holy, catholic, apostolic, and the heretics were thrown off the bus to preserve this unity. Unity doesn’t mean there are never heretics to be dealt-with. It means that the four marks of the true church are there and that the Rock is at its head. The iconoclasts that you pointed out were in the East and the pope was the chief defender of sacred images and their veneration. The anti-popes were also dealt with and the drama sorted out. The Great Schism was a sad geo-political disaster and I would defend Rome’s position on that. But that being said, the Reformation is a completely different phenomenon. The Reformers weren’t reformers. They were usurpers by and large. Wishing to overthrow the priesthood in some cases, casting aside the Eucharist in others. Destroying the very idea of sacraments on one hand, creating sola scriptura and sola fide on another. Innovations of church polity abounded, iconoclasm and huge shifts in beliefs like infant baptism and is the church visible or invisible ensued…The Orthodox and Catholics had a schism over some pretty small potatoes things and mostly politics and mutual bad behavior. The Reformers completely turned the church upside down on its head and re-invented much of what East and West believed for centuries. I don’t think you can compare the schism and the Reformation except to say they were fractures. The motivations and outcomes were drastically different. I hope someday the Orthodox and Rome can reunite.
But I will echo what Jon said early on in the thread. Many Protestants if not most are totally happy with their situation and have no desire for ecumenism or reunion of the One True Church. That was the situation with the Anglican parish with which I was a member very recently. They scoffed at the mere mention of reunion with Rome and any prayers for unity in the liturgy were just wallpaper and words, not meaningful. They held a resentful bitter taste against Rome.
- Status