The Problem with Protestant Ecclesiology

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Sounds like the early church believed the Church Christ established was called “Catholic”…“the pillar and bulwark of truth”. Just wrote this on another post. said:
either by the bishop, or by one to whom he has entrusted it. Wherever the bishop shall appear, there let the multitude also be; by the bishop, or by one to whom he has entrusted it. Wherever the bishop shall appear, there let the multitude also be; even as, wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church." Ignatius of Antioch, Epistle to the Smyrneans, 8:2 (c. A.D. 110).

And then there was Irenaeus…
Code:
"[N]or does it consist in this, that he should again falsely imagine, as being above this [fancied being], a Pleroma at one time supposed to contain thirty, and at another time an innumerable tribe of Aeons, as these teachers who are destitute of truly divine wisdom maintain; while the Catholic Church possesses one and the same faith throughout the whole world, as we have already said." Irenaeus, Against Heresies, 1:10,3 (A.D. 180).
What other church are you thinking or believing of if not Catholic and which of the early church fathers write about it?
:

Might I ask, what it is that makes you infer that Ignatius, or Irenaeus, were Spirit endowed Christians? And why are they deemed fathers? What proof, or evidence supports your conclusion that these men were. We are to test the Spirits, to see if they are of Him, are we not? And one of the gifts of the Spirit is the discerning of spirits.

Bar
 
Bar -

Two questions actually…

What other church are you thinking or believing of if not Catholic and which of the early church fathers write about it?

See that ye all follow the bishop, even as Christ Jesus does the Father, and the presbytery as ye would the apostles. Do ye also reverence the deacons, as those that carry out the appointment of God. Let no man do anything connected with the Church without the bishop. Let that be deemed a proper Eucharist, which is [administered] either by the bishop, or by one to whom he has entrusted it. Wherever the bishop shall appear, there let the multitude also be; by the bishop, or by one to whom he has entrusted it. Wherever the bishop shall appear, there let the multitude also be; even as, wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church." Ignatius of Antioch, Epistle to the Smyrneans, 8:2 (c. A.D. 110).

Pork
(1) Pork, you actually think that there was only the one church, Catholic, from the time of Christ? My friend there were many home churches started after Christs return. Wherever two or three spirit filled Christans met, Jesus was in the midst of them. This is the kind of Church Jesus built, and continues to build. Not a system that is run like a government of man…

Jesus Christ Himself is the head of this church, and it is His government that leads it. His sheep hear His voice, and do not follow any other shepherd.

(2) Is the word eucharist even used in scripture? No! It is a Catholic term applied to the new covenant feast. You know Pork, there is no partiality with the Lord, He does not favour one above another, and yet I see and read that somehow certain men have a placed themselves in higher positions than any Christian. Paul didn’t see himself as someone special, all though he may have right to think so.

thanks
Bar.
 
(1) Pork, you actually think that there was only the one church, Catholic, from the time of Christ? My friend there were many home churches started after Christs return. Wherever two or three spirit filled Christans met, Jesus was in the midst of them. This is the kind of Church Jesus built, and continues to build. Not a system that is run like a government of man…

thanks
Bar.
Bar - I like facts and evidence. if you think there were many churches outside of the Catholic church, can you name some of these churches? I’d like to understand who their bishops and priests were and what they believed on faith and morals. Where can I find their writings so that I can understand? Just name one church and one Bishop or priest in the first 400 or 500 years. Were they sitting with together with the Catholic Church when the bible was canonized? Do any of the early church fathers speak of them in their writings?

Your man made tradition prevents you from finding them in history…although they all of sudden pop up in the last few hundred years. Christ built a Church, not churches, all contradicting each other on faith and morals. 😦
 
Bare,

I say Na, Na, Na, Na, Na, Na, Na, Na, Na, Na, Na, Na, Na, Na, Na, Na…ya gotta know how to pony…likea bony maroney…you gotta do the monkey…

I have no clue what point you are making…taking Ephesians and John out of context…

What do you think the Pillar and Foundation of Truth is?

Where do you think it is made known the manifold wisdom of God?

What do you think is the mystery hidden for all ages?

Now answer those questions and I will stop singing…🙂
Coptic -

Thanks to you, I now have your song in my head and my song

m.youtube.com/watch?v=QfPg_GzC-HA
 
Bar - I like facts and evidence. if you think there were many churches outside of the Catholic church, can you name some of these churches? I’d like to understand who their bishops and priests were and what they believed on faith and morals. Where can I find their writings so that I can understand? Just name one church and one Bishop or priest in the first 400 or 500 years. Were they sitting with together with the Catholic Church when the bible was canonized? Do any of the early church fathers speak of them in their writings?

Your man made tradition prevents you from finding them in history…although they all of sudden pop up in the last few hundred years. Christ built a Church, not churches, all contradicting each other on faith and morals. 😦
Question (1) I like facts and evidence. if you think there were many churches outside of the Catholic church, can you name some of these churches?

Answer…Acts 8: 1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judæa and Samaria, except the apostles.
2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.
3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.
4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.
5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.
6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

Acts 9: 31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judæa and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

Acts 11: 26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
27 ¶And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.

Acts 14: 21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,
22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.
24 And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia.
25 And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia:

Acts 15: 40 And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.
41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.

Acts 16: 4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.
5 And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.

Acts 18: 22 And when he had landed at Cæsarea, and gone up, and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch.
23 And after he had spent some time there, he departed, and went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.

Romans 16: 1 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:
2 That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.
3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:
4 Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.

1 Corinthians 1:1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,
2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

1 Corinthians 7: 17 But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.

1 Corinthians 16: 1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.
1 Corinthians 16: 19 The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.

Collosians 4: 14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.
15 Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.

2 Timothy 4: 22 The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen. The second epistle unto **Timotheus, ordained the first bishop of the church of the Ephesians, **was written from Rome, when Paul was brought before Nero the second time.

Titus 3: 15 All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.** It was written to Titus, ordained the first bishop of the church of the Cretians, from Nicopolis of Macedonia.**

We are to know the Author of the scriptures. He is well able to explain which is HIS CHURCH.
And the main character of starting these churchs was Paul…
bar.
 
Bar - I like facts and evidence. if you think there were many churches outside of the Catholic church, can you name some of these churches?
Not to butt in too much, but we have the Oriental and Eastern Orthodox churches to contend with.

If I had to guess, Bar views ‘catholic’ (katholikos) as an adjective and not “Catholic” as a noun.
 
Not to butt in too much, but we have the Oriental and Eastern Orthodox churches to contend with.

If I had to guess, Bar views ‘catholic’ (katholikos) as an adjective and not “Catholic” as a noun.
Ben I only listed those that mainly Paul had to do. Peter as welll, and they weren’t Catholic. And your right there were many other religious communities. But I speak of those that scriputre speaks of being comprised of those beleivers in Christ who had received the Holy Spirit, the evidence of being His sheep.

I view the teachings of Catholisim as mostly non inspired, thereby error. Spirit filled Christians have direct access to the HIgh Priest of their confession, who is alive from the dead, and living in the clay tabernacles, workking with them in the conformation of Christlike images. To be without spot or wrinkle at the Bridegrooms coming for His Bride.

bar.
 
Ben I only listed those that mainly Paul had to do. Peter as welll, and they weren’t Catholic. And your right there were many other religious communities. But I speak of those that scriputre speaks of being comprised of those beleivers in Christ who had received the Holy Spirit, the evidence of being His sheep.

I view the teachings of Catholisim as mostly non inspired, thereby error. Spirit filled Christians have direct access to the HIgh Priest of their confession, who is alive from the dead, and living in the clay tabernacles, workking with them in the conformation of Christlike images. To be without spot or wrinkle at the Bridegrooms coming for His Bride.

bar.
Bare,

How come for many years (1500 years) there was only the Catholic Church? Did God let man be in error for many years (1500 years) until the reformation?

How come you use the Bible, that was put together by the Catholic Church? God worked through the Catholic Church to put together the bible. Why didn’t God work through any other Church?
 
Ben I only listed those that mainly Paul had to do. Peter as welll, and they weren’t Catholic. And your right there were many other religious communities. But I speak of those that scriputre speaks of being comprised of those beleivers in Christ who had received the Holy Spirit, the evidence of being His sheep.

I view the teachings of Catholisim as mostly non inspired, thereby error. Spirit filled Christians have direct access to the HIgh Priest of their confession, who is alive from the dead, and living in the clay tabernacles, workking with them in the conformation of Christlike images. To be without spot or wrinkle at the Bridegrooms coming for His Bride.

bar.
Bare,

Then you had better throw away your Bible.
 
Sounds like the early church believed the Church Christ established was called “Catholic”…“the pillar and bulwark of truth”. Just wrote this on another post.

See that ye all follow the bishop, even as Christ Jesus does the Father, and the presbytery as ye would the apostles. Do ye also reverence the deacons, as those that carry out the appointment of God. Let no man do anything connected with the Church without the bishop. Let that be deemed a proper Eucharist, which is [administered] either by the bishop, or by one to whom he has entrusted it. Wherever the bishop shall appear, there let the multitude also be; by the bishop, or by one to whom he has entrusted it. Wherever the bishop shall appear, there let the multitude also be; even as, **wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church." **Ignatius of Antioch, Epistle to the Smyrneans, 8:2 (c. A.D. 110).

And then there was Irenaeus…

“[N]or does it consist in this, that he should again falsely imagine, as being above this [fancied being], a Pleroma at one time supposed to contain thirty, and at another time an innumerable tribe of Aeons, as these teachers who are destitute of truly divine wisdom maintain; while the Catholic Church possesses one and the same faith throughout the whole world, as we have already said.” Irenaeus, Against Heresies, 1:10,3 (A.D. 180).

What other church are you thinking or believing of if not Catholic and which of the early church fathers write about it?

🍿
The Church of the First born, is the Church Jesus Christ Himself started, and still leads as its High Priest, and Confessor today. The Church you have quoted was not this church.
Hebrews 12:22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
So… You say that the quote Porknpie used from Ignatius of Antioch is “not his church?” It seems there is a inconsistency. That same church 300 years later is going to have a council and decide what is in the Bible, more importantly, what is in the New Testament. It seems, you are giving those people who are not Christ’s church but you are giving the very same people the authority to name the book you just quoted as inspired. If those same people are not of Christ’s church then where does the Bible get it’s authority. Remember, circular reasoning is a logical fallacy.
 
(2) Is the word eucharist even used in scripture? No! It is a Catholic term applied to the new covenant feast.
Bar.
The word Eucharist is most certainly in the Bible. It’s a transliterated Greek word meaning “thanksgiving” which Christ used at the Last Supper.
You really should learn the Bible you claim to “know” so well.:cool:
 
The word Eucharist is most certainly in the Bible. It’s a transliterated Greek word meaning “thanksgiving” which Christ used at the Last Supper.
You really should learn the Bible you claim to “know” so well.:cool:
Just,

Here is Bare’s dilema. He believes in the inspired infallible word of God.

He believes that Catholic teachings are non inspired.

The Bible was produced by the Catholic Church, Protestants used this inspired Catholic work to produce a translation, and then took books out leaving them with an incomplete inspired teaching of the Catholic Church.

Bare says that the teachings of the Catholic Church are non inspired and has no idea where the Bible he believes is inspired comes from.

It is a catch 22 and difficult Protestant paradigm with no out.
 
Question (1) I like facts and evidence. if you think there were many churches outside of the Catholic church, can you name some of these churches?

Answer…Acts 8: 1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judæa and Samaria, except the apostles.
2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.
3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.
4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.
5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.
6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

Acts 9: 31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judæa and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

Acts 11: 26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
27 ¶And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.

Acts 14: 21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,
22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.
24 And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia.
25 And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia:

Acts 15: 40 And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.
41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.

Acts 16: 4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.
5 And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.

Acts 18: 22 And when he had landed at Cæsarea, and gone up, and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch.
23 And after he had spent some time there, he departed, and went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.

Romans 16: 1 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:
2 That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.
3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:
4 Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.

1 Corinthians 1:1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,
2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

1 Corinthians 7: 17 But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.

1 Corinthians 16: 1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.
1 Corinthians 16: 19 The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.

Collosians 4: 14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.
15 Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.

2 Timothy 4: 22 The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen. The second epistle unto **Timotheus, ordained the first bishop of the church of the Ephesians, **was written from Rome, when Paul was brought before Nero the second time.

Titus 3: 15 All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.** It was written to Titus, ordained the first bishop of the church of the Cretians, from Nicopolis of Macedonia.**

We are to know the Author of the scriptures. He is well able to explain which is HIS CHURCH.
And the main character of starting these churchs was Paul…
bar.
Thank You Bar -

What did these churches believe and practice as a matter of faith? Examples…Baptism as a sacrament or symbolic? Infant baptism? Did they have in place the beginnings of the Catholic Mass? If they celebrated the Eucharist, was it as the real body & blood of Jesus or symbolic?

I’ll just take one Church itself, The Church in Crete…who did they look to for authority at the time of Pauls writings?

Pork
 
Bar,
For me, the trouble with discounting the Catholic church is that we derive so much from her.

If I find portions of their practices incorrect, I need to find a way to separate what they do well and what they do that’s incorrect.

For example - Martin Luther applied the tenant that all legitimate practices would never contradict holy scripture, and we have a Lutheran church that looks mostly like the Catholic church but stripped of certain modern practices that we found were contrary to scripture.

Sadly, we also introduced our own foibles, but that was our intent.

Perhaps you could tell us how you derive your church practices?
 
Bar,
For me, the trouble with discounting the Catholic church is that we derive so much from her.

** If I find portions of their practices incorrect,** I need to find a way to separate what they do well and what they do that’s incorrect.

For example - Martin Luther applied the tenant that all legitimate practices would never contradict holy scripture, and we have a Lutheran church that looks mostly like the Catholic church but stripped of certain modern practices that we found were contrary to scripture.

Sadly, we also introduced our own foibles, but that was our intent.

Perhaps you could tell us how you derive your church practices?
Ben,

You are qutie right to point out that if you find something incorrect. The obvious consequence is on what basis do you register this finding and is that finding absolute, without error and infallible?
 
Ben,

You are qutie right to point out that if you find something incorrect. The obvious consequence is on what basis do you register this finding and is that finding absolute, without error and infallible?
Sadly, we Lutherans haven’t equite agreed on Papal Infalibilty nor do we have an iron clad alternative. We rely on our method of accepting authortiy as long as it’s not contradicted with scripture.
 
Sadly, we Lutherans haven’t equite agreed on Papal Infalibilty nor do we have an iron clad alternative. We rely on our method of accepting authortiy as long as it’s not contradicted with scripture.
Ben,

So, it would appear that as a Lutheran you find Papal infallibility fallibly incorrect with no fallible alternative as this threads the issue is ecclesiology. You accept Scripture that is the source of all Christian thought coupled with the Tradition of the ecclesiology you find incorrect, that was produced and declared to be infallible and innerrant by the ecclesiology you have determined to be incorrect.
 
Ben,

So, it would appear that as a Lutheran you find Papal infallibility fallibly incorrect with no fallible alternative as this threads the issue is ecclesiology. You accept Scripture that is the source of all Christian thought coupled with the Tradition of the ecclesiology you find incorrect, that was produced and declared to be infallible and innerrant by the ecclesiology you have determined to be incorrect.
We accept more than just Scripture as the source of all thought: We accept tradition, ecclesiastical authority, council authority among others. It’s only when one of those authorities contradicts scripture that we begin to ask questions.

I enjoy how you phrased the contradiction about how Lutherans rely on Scripture, and it does make one think.

In our defense, Scripture was laid out by the church a long time before Papal Infallibility was promulgated, and before the Great Schism - our Eastern and Oriental friends do share our concerns with Papal Infallibility. Another defence is that we don’t view ourselves as a 500 year old church - we view ourselves as a valid continuation of the Western Church.

If I was forced to look at my own church with a critical eye, I would say our greatest failing was not adhering to the traditional view of Apostolic Succession. In my opinion, we should have maintained that rigorously, and perhaps if we did, there wouldn’t be so much fracture in the Protestant world today.
 
We accept more than just Scripture as the source of all thought: We accept tradition, ecclesiastical authority, council authority among others. It’s only when one of those authorities contradicts scripture that we begin to ask questions.

I enjoy how you phrased the contradiction about how Lutherans rely on Scripture, and it does make one think.

In our defense, Scripture was laid out by the church a long time before Papal Infallibility was promulgated, and before the Great Schism - our Eastern and Oriental friends do share our concerns with Papal Infallibility. Another defence is that we don’t view ourselves as a 500 year old church - we view ourselves as a valid continuation of the Western Church.

If I was forced to look at my own church with a critical eye, I would say our greatest failing was not adhering to the traditional view of Apostolic Succession. In my opinion, we should have maintained that rigorously, and perhaps if we did, there wouldn’t be so much fracture in the Protestant world today.
I agree with this. The congregational model which seems to have been an understandable but flawed defense against the mixing of church and state resulted in a lack of authority and unity of doctrine and practice. I cannot believe that the Holy Spirit would be leading us in so many different directions.
 
We accept more than just Scripture as the source of all thought: We accept tradition, ecclesiastical authority, council authority among others. It’s only when one of those authorities contradicts scripture that we begin to ask questions.

I enjoy how you phrased the contradiction about how Lutherans rely on Scripture, and it does make one think.
Ben, to jump in…lot’s of questions…I acknowledge.

I’ve repeated Coptics phrasing several times and just now am I getting it. I sense you are quicker than me. How do you view your church’s stance on birth control? It’s against scripture, tradition of the ECFs, tradition of the later Church and Luther even spoke out strongly against it. Your church was against it until 1930 and then changed it’s mind. Are you “accepting” something else that you haven’t mentioned above? Are you “beginning to ask questions”? If so, of what, where & to whom?

I truly do not understand protestant thought on this. The Pill is registered as an abortificiant in its third means of preventing pregnancy. We all know what that means. Actually, if in doubt, ask Coptic. 😉 When Christ said that he would be with his Church until the end of time, would he lead his church to accepting this most immoral error? Looking around what Church has never changed it’s position, based in part on the scripture & tradition that you speak of? An what does this say about infalliblity on faith and morals and ultimately, on the definition of “Church” that Christ himself established?

(sorry to pick on you on this one. heaven’s knows I love my LCMS relatives…actually the contraception question applies to most protestants just have omit Luther and substitute Zwingli, Wesley, or Calvin)
 
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