I look at the Ecumenical Councils in a very, very different way. Those who participated in the early councils attended not to propose a new theory. But to examine more often than not, what proved to be heretical theory.
Athanasius, Pope of Alexandria, alone is a perfect example, excommunicated, exiled and then willing to be martyred if need be to uphold the theory of Human and Divine natures of Christ. Which he correctly arrived at from the Gospel of John. Then as heretical thinking grew, the councils had no choice but to conviene. Ultimately Athanasius theory was accepted and Thomas Aquinas in the 13th correctly elaborated on most of the Ecumenical Council issues which remained vague. Such as the Human/Divine Natures, Trinity etc.
Its no different today. Today, there are some buffers, such as CAF. But look how quickly a heretical theory will arrise, and will date back to 1st, 2nd and 3rd centurys?
The old saying, The further you look back in the past, the further you’ll see into the future", definately applys.
The fact is Theologians such as Ignatius of Antioch, Iranaeus, Bishop of Lyons, etc were the next generation after the Apostles. They continued what was in fact the truth, then as a bit more time passed the heresy would creep in and had to be fought in the Councils. What was often just accepted as Faith/Bible and understood but not clearly defined, then continued to be defined and elaborated on.
Example of Mary as intercessor for mankind date’s easliy back to Jerome. And believe it or not Protestants right in 1906 were singing hymns for Marys Intercession throughout the USA from there Pews. Just google John A Rileys hymn “Ye watchers and Ye Holy Ones” for a history lesson, see how it went below. And btw, this wasn’t sang in Catholic or Orthodox Churchs. But Marys intercession is actually in the Lithurgy of the Eastern church, "Lithurgy of Saint Basil? “Lithurgy of Saint John Chysostom” which is facinatating in itself since the Eastern Church seems to think we at the CC alone uphold Marys Intercession power over mankind. It becomes a fundemental lack of understanding one’s own roots and belief system. And thus personal history being lost.
So what we should automatically accept some 2011 thinking? If in fact that would be the case the Quran on Mary wouldn’t be so heretical now would it? Altered Bible to fit ones own concept of Religion becomes no religion. Look at the Quran right next to Luke? The Annunciation is stolen and then butchered right out of the Bible. High School students can identify the correlation.
But the Protestant Hymn…All Baptist Churchs definatly recited this from the pews.
O higher than the Cherubim
More Glorious than the Seraphim
Lead their praise’s, Alleluia
The bearer of the eternal word
Most Gracious.
Magnify the Lord. Allehia!!! And that my friends is Protestant not Catholic. So who “lost” the truth here?
And if we correctly interpret “Theotokos” …My soul magnifys the Lord, the one who being the Theotokos, was the bearer of the eternal Word of God, the Logos made Flesh in Mother Mary, Mother of the Lord. according to the …Bible and the Gospel of Luke and John.
And “Theotokos” though very old, was “not” the first definition of Mary. As a matter of fact it was accepted as the result of St Pauls preaching and a riot occuring when Pagans insisted on Theotokos as a result of the Goddess Diana being replaced.
Just Sayin:shrug:
And that can only happen based in Scripture.
