reunification questions for my protestant brothers and sisters

[paarsurrey]

well, i have heard a number of protestant teachers say that if Christianity were to re-unite, it would be under the umbrella of catholicism. so i guess that would be my question, not suggestion. as i said above, i am protestant and not looking to convince anyone of anything (in this thread at least ).

Hi

This is a good effort, please persist on it till the unity is achieved. I am for unity of all Christian denominations under the umbrell united christendom.

Thanks

 

[mathematician]

hey fellow protestants!!

we are here on a catholic forum for a number of different reasons i’m sure. some of us are here to try to convince some of the catholics here of the “error of their ways”. some are here to try to understand what catholics (on the ground) think, believe, and practice. some are here to purely debate as it is something they enjoy. and others are here because they are considering “crossing the tiber”. i am sure i have left out some other reasons for being here, but my point is that we are all here.

so i have a two questions for you all.

1. if the orthodox and catholic church re-united, how would that impact your view of “church” and they way it is supposed to be? would it make you more likely to re-unite as well?
2. what would it take for reunification? we all know that not everyone will be unified (or re-unified) in everything. even the catholic church has 23 different rites that are valid when it comes to worship. but what do you see as the major obstacles AND (please don’t forget to address this as i am not wanting to start a “bash catholicism” thread) what are your ideas for overcoming them?

i am sort of asking this in light of the movie “Bruce Almighty”. we all have moments of thinking that we could do a better job than God. on a lower (much lower) level i’m sure we think we would do a better job than our bosses at work. generally, we all have slipped into thinking that we would be better at a particular authority’s position than they are. so, if you were the pope, how would you re-unite all of Christendom?

Well the Catholic magesterium is never going to relinquish the claim to infallibility, and protestants are never going to accept it, so I don’t see how that impasse can be overcome.

 

[ALLFORHIM]

If you go back one step (just prior to the Reformation), to when the western church was “unified” (so to speak), one sees that the source of power behind that religious unity was its union with the state.

Such religious conformity (i.e., void of all doctrinal differences), which many are hoping to establish once again (ecumenism), can only be achieved by men when church and state are again married. When it will again be unlawful, by both church and state, for men to exercise freedom of spiritual expression and thought.

Did true faith thrive in those days. No. If anything, it did just the opposite. Such a system actually curtails genuine faith.

Ah yes I see–thank you

 

[JonNC]

Well the Catholic magesterium is never going to relinquish the claim to infallibility, and protestants are never going to accept it, so I don’t see how that impasse can be overcome.

Everything is possible through Him.

 

[Gabriel_of_12]

There are many soteriological barriers to overcome?I can see that happening only when church and state are again united. And that calls for a whole new situation. But it will happen.

You may have something here, I dont agree in uniting the church and state. I am of the opinion if Protestants and non catholics can come to the understanding that the Church of Jesus Christ is not of this world. Then infallibility could come to an understanding, that the pope is not infallible, The teachings of Jesus Christ are, the pope is his authority on earth who possesses the key to the kingdom until he comes again. The Pope is the servant of the Lord.

It all comes down to who has the authority to dictate and interpret Christian teaching on faith and morals. But every body wants infallibility thats the problem. Protestants say the Pope cant have it. Because what they believe is infallible and is contrary to the Pope and 2000 years of Christian belief unchanged. For each denomination that exists, exists their own pope of infallibility wether they chose to believe it or not. This I believe is the obstacle. Their can be only one faith, one Church, One Lord, one baptism if you follow scripture.

 

[moondweller]

Ah yes I see–thank you

But of course the true church won’t be here. :extrahappy:

 

[moondweller]

It all comes down to who has the authority to dictate and interpret Christian teaching on faith and morals.

Or, doesn’t have the authority to “dictate.”

But every body wants infallibility thats the problem.

I don’t think so. I think the problem lies with the party which “claims” infallibility.

Protestants say the Pope cant have it.

Neither Protestants or the Eastern Orthodox say the Pope “can’t have it,” they both reject the RC’s boast that he does have it.

Because what they believe is infallible and is contrary to the Pope and 2000 years of Christian belief unchanged.

Unchanged? The post-Apostolic introduction of works with faith; Marianology; sacramentalism; the Papacy; the “Eucharist” from a thank offering to a sacrifice; from a board of elders to metropolitan bishops to Patriarchs to infallible Popes; from Premillennialism to Amillennialism; just to list a few.

For each denomination that exists, exists their own pope of infallibility wether they chose to believe it or not. This I believe is the obstacle. Their can be only one faith, one Church, One Lord, one baptism if you follow scripture.

“In Christ,” not Rome, there has always been unfailing unity. The obstacle is that men have been trying to build what Christ said He would. They fail to grasp the fact that He actually has been building it for almost 2000 years now - right under their noses (2 Tim. 2:19).