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Roman Catholic and Orthodox differences on Original Sin

In a couple of the last posts there has been an ongoing discussion of the differences in the concept of Original Sin between Roman Catholicism and Orthodoxy. So, let me put a couple of citations from the Wikipedia that may help people to see the differences. Why from the Wikipedia? Well, because they are better at summarizing than theologians.   I am aware that any summary always is insufficient,... [Read more]

Anglican Church in North America responds to Vatican announcement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 20, 2009 We rejoice that the Holy See has opened this doorway, which represents another step in the growing cooperation and relationship between our Churches. This significant decision represents a recognition of the integrity of the Anglican tradition within the broader Christian church. While we believe that this provision will not be utilized by the great majority of... [Read more]

Note on Anglicans wishing to enter the Catholic Church

Father Orthoduck says, Anglicans are IN. Press release today from the Vatican Information Service: VATICAN CITY, 20 OCT 2009 (VIS) – In a meeting with journalists held this morning in the Holy See Press Office Cardinal William Joseph Levada, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and Archbishop Joseph Augustine Di Noia O.P., secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship... [Read more]

Que será, será

Father Orthoduck does not agree with the optimism of the Catholic Archbishop of Moscow. But, one never knows. And, our prayer ought to be for unity. All too often, our prayers for unity are that God will show those near-heathen near-pagan others that they should believe just like we do. Father Orthoduck thinks that when we pray that we may be one our prayers should begin and end with, “Lord Jesus... [Read more]

careers

Another Perú missionary stress story

When my wife and I first arrived in Bolivia, in January of 1990, we went to Cochabamba to attend the Instituto de Idiomas Maryknoll (Maryknoll Language Institute). My wife was taking the beginning course, while I was taking the advanced course. Though I was born overseas, I had grown up in the USA. So, I had a child’s level of Spanish. Mind you, a native child, but, nevertheless, both my vocabulary... [Read more]

But, Holy Tradition does exist

I was fortunate to have a theological professor who pointed out that every decision of an ecumenical council, whether dogmatic or disciplinary was introduced by words similar to those found in Acts 15, that is, it seemed good to us and to the Holy Spirit, with the addition of a phrase about being in accord the the teaching of the Fathers. In spite of that, while no dogmatic decision has ever been... [Read more]

Not everything is Holy Tradition

“Custom is the plague of wise men and the idol of fools” — Thomas Fuller One of the mistakes that is common in liturgical groups is to mistake anything which has been done for a while with Holy Tradition. Even among the Orthodox, there is a common tendency to see what is as what must be kept. This becomes particularly visible in a pan-Orthodox congregation. This past Palm Sunday,... [Read more]

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Can a heretic be saved?

St. Augustine refuting heretics Since the Middle Ages, it is quite common to assume that if one is a heretic, then one cannot be saved. This is not surprising, since it seems that one of the favorite words of the Roman Church was ”anathema” (or accursed) in those days. Meantime, the Reformers did their own bit of burning and cleansing. [Mind you, the Orthodox threw a couple of pogroms... [Read more]

research

Hmm, back to infallible and imperfect

Ephesians 2:19-22 – “Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are... [Read more]

partner

Still infallible and imperfect – shh

There are three Scriptures that I would consider important to the ongoing debate over infallibility. Ephesians 2:19-22 – “Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the... [Read more]

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