The Christian Ecumenical Thread

[2nd_Adam]

This is the Christian Ecumenical Thread. What do we have in common as Christians (defined with historic orthodoxy) which allows us to fellowship as a family of God in-spite of our differences.

 

[SteveGC]

This is the Christian Ecuemenical Thread. What do we have in common as Christians (defined with historic orthodoxy) which allows us to fellowship as a family of God in-spite of our differences.

Good thread idea, 2A. I’ll keep this thread on my list, and join in when I can. Perhaps you want to start it off with things you think we share? Obviously, there will be many.

Look forward to continuing our discussions.

 

[ThuriferAcolyte]

First and foremost, our belief, as part of traditional Christianity, in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, three Persons, one God (one in purpose, will, intent, consubstantial).

 

[2nd_Adam]

Good thread idea, 2A. I’ll keep this thread on my list, and join in when I can. Perhaps you want to start it off with things you think we share? Obviously, there will be many.

Look forward to continuing our discussions.

Christ and Him crucified for sinners like me and you… reconciling us to God the Father.

 

[2nd_Adam]

First and foremost, our belief, as part of traditional Christianity, in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, three Persons, one God (one in purpose, will, intent, consubstantial).

I love the historic creeds which help us understand the doctrine of the Trinity.

 

[SteveGC]

Here’s a good launching point, I think:

+Nicene Creed+

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, one in being with the Father. Through Him all things were made. For us men and our salvation He came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit, He was born of the Virgin Mary , and became man. For our sake He was crucified under Pontius Pilate; He suffered, died, and was buried. On the third day He rose again in fulfillment of the scriptures: He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son, He is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

 

[ThuriferAcolyte]

I love the historic creeds which help us understand the doctrine of the Trinity.

me too! And as traditional Christians, we need to emphasize our belief in the Triune God firstly, otherwise we include the non-traditionals, like the Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, Oneness Pentecostals, etc. They are of course in different groups.

 

[2nd_Adam]

Here’s a good launching point, I think:

+Nicene Creed+

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, one in being with the Father. Through Him all things were made. For us men and our salvation He came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit, He was born of the Virgin Mary , and became man. For our sake He was crucified under Pontius Pilate; He suffered, died, and was buried. On the third day He rose again in fulfillment of the scriptures: He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son, He is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Great launching point. The Nicene Creed unites us as brothers and sisters in Christ! It was written prior to the great Schism and the Reformation! Even Reformed websites like Reformed.org will post the Nicene Creed. The true church is truly catholic!

 

[2nd_Adam]

me too! And as traditional Christians, we need to emphasize our belief in the Triune God firstly, otherwise we include the non-traditionals, like the Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, Oneness Pentecostals, etc. They are of course in different groups.

Oh… I completely agree. Our Triune God as revealed in the godhead is an essential of the Christian Faith to have fellowship. I would not call a professing Christian who rejects the Trinity as a brother and sister in Christ. From my perspective, the truth of the Trinity is a non-negotiable truth that needs to be defended by all Christians because God reveals Himself in the godhead.

 

[Belloc_Fan]

Great launching point. The Nicene Creed unites us as brothers and sisters in Christ! It was written prior to the great Schism and the Reformation! Even Reformed websites like Reformed.org will post the Nicene Creed. The true church is truly catholic!

2nd Adam, first of all, great idea for a thread. This is much needed.

Second (and this is directed to everyone), can we all agree that as creedal Christians (Protestant, Orthodox, and Catholic) that the first seven Councils are legit? The would be: Nicea (325), Constantinople (381), Ephesus (431), Chalcedon (451), Constantinople II (553), Constantinople III (680), Nicea II (787). All pre-Schism, all pre-Reformation, and they help define things like the fact that Christ has two natures and two wills, but is one Person, etc. Lots of things you wouldn’t necessarily get right by a bare reading of the Bible.

 

[2nd_Adam]

2nd Adam, first of all, great idea for a thread. This is much needed.

Second (and this is directed to everyone), can we all agree that as creedal Christians (Protestant, Orthodox, and Catholic) that the first seven Councils are legit? The would be: Nicea (325), Constantinople (381), Ephesus (431), Chalcedon (451), Constantinople II (553), Constantinople III (680), Nicea II (787). All pre-Schism, all pre-Reformation, and they help define things like the fact that Christ has two natures and two wills, but is one Person, etc. Lots of things you wouldn’t necessarily get right by a bare reading of the Bible.

I wish I was more creedal so I could confidently give you an answer. But I would probably say yes without looking at the different creeds that you posted. Jesus being fully God and fully man, dual natures, hypo static union… all good stuff! If I understand the creeds correctly, they were formulated to refute heresy, but the response in those creeds were formuated from Scripture, correct? I think in general, Protestant churches need to return to the historic ecumenical creeds which is a return to orthodoxy and sound doctrine.

 

[tweetymom]

Adam thank you for this thread!!!1 I hope you don’t mind me here. What agreat idea.Everyone getting along Glory be

 

[VARC]

2nd Adam, first of all, great idea for a thread. This is much needed.

Second (and this is directed to everyone), can we all agree that as creedal Christians (Protestant, Orthodox, and Catholic) that the first seven Councils are legit? The would be: Nicea (325), Constantinople (381), Ephesus (431), Chalcedon (451), Constantinople II (553), Constantinople III (680), Nicea II (787). All pre-Schism, all pre-Reformation, and they help define things like the fact that Christ has two natures and two wills, but is one Person, etc. Lots of things you wouldn’t necessarily get right by a bare reading of the Bible.

I wouldn’t include the forth council and up as something creedal Christians hold in common because that would exclude the Oriental Orthodox: the forth largest communion in the world and a very ancient one at that.

 

[2nd_Adam]

Adam thank you for this thread!!!1 I hope you don’t mind me here. What agreat idea.Everyone getting along Glory be

Welcome, we are all glad that you are here! I encouage all who love the Lord Jesus Christ to come and fellowship with us.

 

[2nd_Adam]

I wouldn’t include the forth council and up as something creedal Christians hold in common because that would exclude the Oriental Orthodox: the forth largest communion in the world and a very ancient one at that.

Thanks for the information. I’m glad you guys know the historical creeds better than me.

 

[2nd_Adam]

In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity. - Augustine

 

[2nd_Adam]

This is the Christian Ecumenical Thread. What do we have in common as Christians (defined with historic orthodoxy) which allows us to fellowship as a family of God in-spite of our differences.

Is doesn’t seem too many Christians are concerned with Christian unity. What did Jesus speak about in John 17 in regards to Christian unity? I thought Catholic Christians put great emphasis on obedience?

Ecumenical

Definition:

1. concerning Church unity: relating to, involving, or promoting the unity of different Christian churches and groups

“I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. - Jesus