What do you think is the biggest obstacle to unity between Catholic Christians and non–Catholic Christians?

[RonaldH]

Hello again, Ronald.

I understand. You’ve stayed on this thread so I’m assuming you’re willing to enlarge upon what you believe and why you believe it. I’ve a couple of questions.

First question, then. To which scriptures do you believe Jesus was referring in the above statement?

Primarily the Old Testement, for as He said, they are they which testify of me, secondarily, the Entire Bible

 

[SSTeacher]

SSTeacher (Post #184);5203090:

Hello again, Ronald.

I understand. You’ve stayed on this thread so I’m assuming you’re willing to enlarge upon what you believe and why you believe it. I’ve a couple of questions.

First question, then. To which scriptures do you believe Jesus was referring in the above statement?

Second question. Do you believe that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son?

Curiously,
Mick

Hi Ronald,

I think we have a miscommunication, which is definitely an obstacle to unity. Perhaps you missed my Post #192?

Uncertainly,
Mick

 

[SSTeacher]

SSTeacher;5208368:

Hi Will,

Since the Catholic Church formally claims oneness it didn’t occur to me that there might in practice be a difference between Eastern Catholicism and Western Catholicism. So I didn’t see any need to go beyond consulting the Catechism of the Catholic Church

and visiting my local Catholic church.

Cordially,
Mick
:thumbsup:Have you, since learning of the different liturgies of the Eastern Catholic rites, considered looking into them to bring you into communion with Rome? Or is communion with Rome the thing that keeps you from looking into them? Just curious.

I haven’t considered looking into the different liturgies of the Eastern Catholic rites because once I’d settled my theological and doctrinal difficulties apropos Orthodoxy I was able to experience Orthodox worship with a clear and untroubled mind and so felt no prompting to do anything other than to rejoice in what I’d discovered.

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

Enthusiastically,
Mick
:bounce:

 

[jmcrae]

Hi Will,

Since the Catholic Church formally claims oneness it didn’t occur to me that there might in practice be a difference between Eastern Catholicism and Western Catholicism. So I didn’t see any need to go beyond consulting the Catechism of the Catholic Church and visiting my local Catholic church.

Cordially,
Mick

If you are reading the Catechism, then is the church you are joining, in union with the Pope?

 

[SSTeacher]

If you are reading the Catechism, then is the church you are joining, in union with the Pope?

I consulted the Catechism of the Catholic Church in order to get a grasp of current Catholic teaching but eventually I decided that it was the Orthodox Church and not the Catholic Church that contained the fullness of truth. I’ve now been accepted as an Orthodox catechumen in the Orthodox Church of America.

Cordially,
Mick

 

[jmcrae]

I consulted the Catechism of the Catholic Church in order to get a grasp of current Catholic teaching but eventually I decided that it was the Orthodox Church and not the Catholic Church that contained the fullness of truth. I’ve now been accepted as an Orthodox catechumen in the Orthodox Church of America.

Cordially,
Mick

OH, I see.

And does the lack of places to worship not bother you? (I assume you don’t do much travelling, if not.) Obviously you would not be able to be out of the country or out of driving distance of one of your churches on a Sunday, right?

One of my reasons for not looking into Orthodoxy was the fact that they are very obviously not universal (catholic), since they are divided into national churches, and also since they are so extremely rare. We have two Orthodox churches in my city - ome is for Russians and one is for Ukranians - so it wasn’t even an option, in my case. (There might also be a Greek one, but I don’t know anyone who goes there.)

 

[SSTeacher]

OH, I see.

And does the lack of places to worship not bother you? (I assume you don’t do much travelling, if not.) Obviously you would not be able to be out of the country or out of driving distance of one of your churches on a Sunday, right?

I live in the Piedmont Triad in the Tarheel State, which contains the cities of Winston–Salem, Greensboro and High Point. Winston–Salem and Greensboro both have Orthodox churches and in High Point there is a mission of the Orthodox Church of America called Holy Cross where I attend. The founding members started several years ago in an hotel room and have now progressed to leasing a fellowship hall that belongs to a Presbyterian (USA) church. A determined young priest who is a convert from Evangelical Christianity leads the church. I guess there are about 50 members. I’m one of three catechumens who hope to be received into the Church next Pascha. Holy Cross is about 5 miles from where I live so I’m able to get to Great Vespers every Saturday evening and to the Divine Liturgy every Sunday morning.

One of my reasons for not looking into Orthodoxy was the fact that they are very obviously not universal (catholic), since they are divided into national churches, and also since they are so extremely rare.

I follow your reasoning.

We have two Orthodox churches in my city - ome is for Russians and one is for Ukranians - so it wasn’t even an option, in my case. (There might also be a Greek one, but I don’t know anyone who goes there.)

Where do you live?

Cordially,
Mick

 

[jmcrae]

Where do you live?

I live in Calgary. I am ethically Scottish, but as far as I know there are no Scottish Orthodox Churches in my area. (But apparently they do exist somewhere, which I thought was interesting - obviously, there is at least a small demand.)

As a Westerner, it makes perfect sense to me to follow the Western Patriarch, which is the Pope (as it turns out), so that pretty much settles any question of which church, out of Catholic or Orthodox, to belong to.

Which Patriarch does the American Orthodox Church follow?

 

[Brother2]

It doesn’t.

The bread and the wine become the body and blood of Christ at the time of the consecration.

As for your having misconceptions about Catholicism, I would say that’s natural, seeing as Catholicism and SDA have little in common – I’m sure I, as a Catholic, have my share of misconceptions about SDA.

Well hello Peter J and all the other contributors to my latest ‘blog’. Glad I was able to create so mush discussion which I believe is the whole object of the Forum.

Actually we do have things in common…at the World Council of Churches at least the last I heard of it, maybe changed now…but apparently both Adventists and Roman Catholics were Consultants who were asked to explain difficult passages of Scripture. not full Members but used as set out above. Interesting.

Marriage, Family Life, Homosexuality, World Wide Mission Work, as well as Salvation through Lord Jesus Christ which is common to all Christians.

Heard a good talk in Church today. The head of ADRA UK (Adventist Development and Relief Agency) told how we were the first Agency into Burma/Mia Maur (spelling?) exactly a year ago and went in with £1.1000,000 and set up tents, Fed the people, provided water,…actually cleaned the corpses of humans and animals out of the water supply.
Now a year later ‘we’ are still there, but the main focus now is providing Goats for farmers to earn a living again, helping people to get back on their feet.

One old guy watched all his grown up children and all his grandchildren die in the Tsunami. He was hanging on to some tree. He is consoled and prayed for everyday and promised to provide for him for the rest of his life.

And ADRA is also in Zimbabwea providing for the people. Working with the EU and also with the UN. ADRA is in every part of the globe where help is needed.

I know that Roman Catholic Missionaries are also active all around the world.

So, even though we have many differences, we also have things in common, I believe ADRA works with many other Christian Agencies on the ‘ground’ where differences do not matter so much when offering help to very needy people.

So God bless all the people who do Practical Christianity and do not debate their differences…Just get on with the work…!!!

 

[SSTeacher]

Which Patriarch does the American Orthodox Church follow?

Metropolitan Jonah.

Cordially,
Mick

 

[RonaldH]

No, not exactly. I’m asking about your view of the filioque.

Yes, please. I’m interested in what you believe about the filoque and, more importantly, why you believe it and how you arrived at your view. It’s relevant to the Original Post

.

I think discussion on filoque is trivial. Sorry and it’s not meant to offend. Concerning the Holy Spirit, His origin and position in the GodHead I do not believe should separate people. I do not think any of the Trinity is “less” than the other, where there is submission in their revelations it’s one by choice for a purpose not one of character of being.

In your view, is the loss anything to be concerned about?

Of course there is a concern when there is loss of meaning. I personally do a daily devotional from my personal Bible readings each day. I have called it the “Greek Word of the Day” a study of the original language. I can put you on the email list if you like, it’s somewhat simple but it might bless you. Just a simple examinate of the English word we have as “believe” would be a good start.

 

[Bob_McKissick]

St. Thomas Aquinas taught that three things are necessary for anyone to know a given thing, the time to know, the ability to know and the desire to know. It is therefor wise of
God to give the Teaching Authority to St. Peter(Rock) so that even those who lack any one of the three necessary powers would have access to an authority to look to. bob

 

[Bill_Pick]

Is it,

a) Disagreement as to whether salvation is an event or a process?
b) Disagreement about the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception?
c) Disagreement about praying for the dead?
d) Disagreement about the existence of purgatory?
e) Disagreement about how to understand baptism?
f) Disagreement about the doctrine of Transubstantiation?
g) Disagreement about confession of one’s sins being heard by a priest?
h) Disagreement about the perpetual virginity of the Mother of God?
i) Disagreement about the papacy and papal infallibility?
j) Some other doctrine or factor?

Curiously,
Mick

a,b,c,d,e,f,h,i,j, and the Bible (SS0

 

[lindalout49]

If you googled Priest who questioned his faith, i think you will find a very interesting story. It has to do with a priest of long, long ago. He was questioning his faith, so just before Mass he asked for Christ to make himself real to him. At the time of Eucurist, the wine physically changed to blood and the host to flesh. it was scientifically tested years later and the “flesh” was that of heart muscle and the blood I believe was type “O”. Does anyone recall reading of this occurance?

 

[SSTeacher]

If you googled Priest who questioned his faith, i think you will find a very interesting story. It has to do with a priest of long, long ago. He was questioning his faith, so just before Mass he asked for Christ to make himself real to him. At the time of Eucurist, the wine physically changed to blood and the host to flesh. it was scientifically tested years later and the “flesh” was that of heart muscle and the blood I believe was type “O”. Does anyone recall reading of this occurance?

No, I don’t. Perhaps you should start a new thread? Incidentally, what do you think is the biggest obstacle to unity between Catholic Christians and non–Catholic Christians?

Respectfully,
Mick

 

[CKNICKERBOCKER]

Deadly pride

 

[SSTeacher]

St. Thomas Aquinas taught that three things are necessary for anyone to know a given thing, the time to know, the ability to know and the desire to know. It is therefor wise of
God to give the Teaching Authority to St. Peter(Rock) so that even those who lack any one of the three necessary powers would have access to an authority to look to. bob

Do you think the teachings of Saint Thomas Aquinas form an obstacle to unity between Catholic Christians and non–Catholic Christians?

Curiously,
Mick

 

[SSTeacher]

Deadly pride

Would you care to enlarge?

Cordially,
Mick

 

[lindalout49]

No, I don’t. Perhaps you should start a new thread? Incidentally, what do you think is the biggest obstacle to unity between Catholic Christians and non–Catholic Christians?

Respectfully,
Mick

I would think it would be a toss up between devotion to Mary and the Eucurist.

 

[Bill_Pick]

J. The profanation that the Catholic church forgives sins.

I wouldn’t seek unity with Catholics any more than I would with Jehovah Witnesses or Muslims. My Jesus is not your Jesus.
Nuff said.

Why do people like this keep showing there ihnorance of the Church started by Our Lord Jesus Christ. This person does a very good job of showing how little he/she knows of the CC,Here is a news flase
Muslins and Jehovah Witnesses are NOT Christian,CATHLOIC are and in fact the first Christian.==== to use another person saying ,By the time that the last Book of the New Testament was written around 100 A.D., the church which Jesus Christ founded was already on it’s fifth successor of Peter. …