Comments on: Wrapping up Tradition and Sola Scriptura http://aldenswan.com/2009/11/wrapping-up-tradition-and-sola-scriptura/ free speech, critical thinking, and really good coffee Wed, 16 May 2012 01:35:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: aldenswan.com » Blog Archive » Exploring the Twain 6: Tradition revisited http://aldenswan.com/2009/11/wrapping-up-tradition-and-sola-scriptura/comment-page-1/#comment-10208 aldenswan.com » Blog Archive » Exploring the Twain 6: Tradition revisited Thu, 14 Jan 2010 04:01:02 +0000 http://aldenswan.com/?p=972#comment-10208 [...] concerns the nature of authority in the church.  I’ve already explored this issue here, so I won’t repeat myself.  However, I will mention a few points that I may have [...] [...] concerns the nature of authority in the church.  I’ve already explored this issue here, so I won’t repeat myself.  However, I will mention a few points that I may have [...]

]]> By: me http://aldenswan.com/2009/11/wrapping-up-tradition-and-sola-scriptura/comment-page-1/#comment-8813 me Fri, 13 Nov 2009 20:47:03 +0000 http://aldenswan.com/?p=972#comment-8813 Steve, it's interesting to study the history of Christian theology and philosophy and see where paths diverged. While I agree with the spiritual nature of the "one holy, catholic and apostolic church" there are things in the Western church - from Augustine (tho he isn't purely western) on down - that trouble me. Rather than simply having an opinion - which I've held for many years - I think it necessary to try to define it a bit further. What basis - besides my own inclinations - are there for my beliefs? I'm currently researching the major differences between East and West, on grace, sacraments, etc. to see where they match and where they don't. It's a difficult task, as words are defined differently, etc. Steve, it’s interesting to study the history of Christian theology and philosophy and see where paths diverged. While I agree with the spiritual nature of the “one holy, catholic and apostolic church” there are things in the Western church – from Augustine (tho he isn’t purely western) on down – that trouble me. Rather than simply having an opinion – which I’ve held for many years – I think it necessary to try to define it a bit further. What basis – besides my own inclinations – are there for my beliefs?

I’m currently researching the major differences between East and West, on grace, sacraments, etc. to see where they match and where they don’t. It’s a difficult task, as words are defined differently, etc.

]]> By: Steve Martin http://aldenswan.com/2009/11/wrapping-up-tradition-and-sola-scriptura/comment-page-1/#comment-8807 Steve Martin Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:47:10 +0000 http://aldenswan.com/?p=972#comment-8807 I really don't believe that one church holds the original faith and others don't. The Holy Spirit creates faith when and where He wills. There are people in all Christian churches that have faith...and those that don't. There are two churches. The ones who sit in the pews on Sunday (or whatever day) and then there is the one that the Lord knows. I really don’t believe that one church holds the original faith and others don’t.

The Holy Spirit creates faith when and where He wills. There are people in all Christian churches that have faith…and those that don’t.

There are two churches. The ones who sit in the pews on Sunday (or whatever day) and then there is the one that the Lord knows.

]]> By: me http://aldenswan.com/2009/11/wrapping-up-tradition-and-sola-scriptura/comment-page-1/#comment-8781 me Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:20:04 +0000 http://aldenswan.com/?p=972#comment-8781 Actually, Paul claims that Peter backed down. Then, of course, there's the whole Paul and Barnabas issue. The alternative to the Orthodox church possessing the original faith is not that no one does, but that "the whole church possesses the whole truth;" perhaps later traditions have some valid critiques? Is the EO claiming, in essence, infallibility, or immunity from outside criticism? I accept that the HS has a means of correcting error; but doesn't the HS also influence the western church? These aren't meant to be "gotcha" questions, but honest ones. Actually, Paul claims that Peter backed down. Then, of course, there’s the whole Paul and Barnabas issue.

The alternative to the Orthodox church possessing the original faith is not that no one does, but that “the whole church possesses the whole truth;” perhaps later traditions have some valid critiques? Is the EO claiming, in essence, infallibility, or immunity from outside criticism?

I accept that the HS has a means of correcting error; but doesn’t the HS also influence the western church?

These aren’t meant to be “gotcha” questions, but honest ones.

]]> By: Gary http://aldenswan.com/2009/11/wrapping-up-tradition-and-sola-scriptura/comment-page-1/#comment-8760 Gary Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:16:07 +0000 http://aldenswan.com/?p=972#comment-8760 But I think you have a misunderstanding of how the Orthodox Church deals with error. Yes, a Church Father or Apostle can make errors. But that does not mean there is no Apostolic Church. Just the opposite is true. The Holy Spirit has a means of correcting the error.... Read More My understanding is that the Orthodox Church maintains that on issues that threaten the Church a council may be convened to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth to the gathering of Bishops (the Ecumenical Councils). The resulting teaching or practice must be accepted unanimously and then the local churches finally confirm this. This is in fact how the Apostles in the book of Acts resolved the differences between the Apostle’s Peter and Paul. Finally, if the Orthodox does not possess the original faith, and if no one else does, then the gates of hell did prevail against Christ’s church. I don’t think so…. I am becoming a member of the Orthodox Church not because it is the Church I would have created if I could create one. I have been there done that. I am joining it because it is the one our Lord created. You really should check it out. But I think you have a misunderstanding of how the Orthodox Church deals with error.

Yes, a Church Father or Apostle can make errors. But that does not mean there is no Apostolic Church. Just the opposite is true. The Holy Spirit has a means of correcting the error…. Read More

My understanding is that the Orthodox Church maintains that on issues that threaten the Church a council may be convened to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth to the gathering of Bishops (the Ecumenical Councils). The resulting teaching or practice must be accepted unanimously and then the local churches finally confirm this.

This is in fact how the Apostles in the book of Acts resolved the differences between the Apostle’s Peter and Paul.

Finally, if the Orthodox does not possess the original faith, and if no one else does, then the gates of hell did prevail against Christ’s church. I don’t think so….

I am becoming a member of the Orthodox Church not because it is the Church I would have created if I could create one. I have been there done that. I am joining it because it is the one our Lord created.

You really should check it out.

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