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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]

Sunday of the Geneology 2009

Today is what is called the “Sunday of the Genealogy” in Eastern Orthodoxy. Today is the Sunday before Christmas, the Sunday in which we read the genealogy of Christ from the Gospel according to Matthew. We are not the only ones who read one of the genealogies before Christmas. More than one Christian group does. So, why do we read the genealogy? Well, I have read many reasons: 1. Saint... [Read more]

To invoke or not to invoke, it is all a Revelation

OK, so it is a bad pun. But, there are two ideas that make me go towards believing in the invocation of the saints. I have already mentioned that invoking the saints is found very early in Church history and is found universally. I will mention that one of the principles that many scholars follow is that the earlier a practice is found in Church history, the wider its geographical dispersion,... [Read more]

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To invoke or not to invoke, that is the question!

OK, I know you are waiting for me to say it. There is no place in the Scriptures that gives any direct mention of the invocation of the saints for intercessory prayer. There, I said it. I got it off my chest! So, why do I believe in the invocation of the saints? Let me post a quote from the Book of Tobit. I know that it is not part of the Protestant Bible, nevertheless, it lets me bring up a... [Read more]

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Intercession and Invocation of the Saints (and the Theotokos)

Philip Melanchthon Well, we finally get to the subject for which various of you are waiting, the intercession of the saints. But, actually to begin correctly, I need to divide that phrase into two related phrases, the intercession of the saints and the invocation of the saints. What is the difference between the two phrases? The first phrase speaks to whether the saints in glory look down upon us and... [Read more]

Quick hint for tomorrow

OK, so here is a thought for you, and the reason why I have left intercession of the saints until the end of my musings on the Theotokos. Think with me on this. Do a thought experiment with me. Imagine two cases. The first is the one in which the Anabaptists are 100% correct. Most Holy Mary is not Ever-Virgin. She is not Queen of Heaven. She was not bodily taken up into heaven. The second one is the... [Read more]

Dormition of the Theotokos

Hm, I know that the juicier subject is the intercession of the saints, but let me take up the subject of the assumption of the Theotokos because it will let me make some points about the differences in approach between the East and the West. OK, so both the Orthodox and the Roman Catholic believe that Mary is physically in heaven. Why, then, do we so strongly say that the Roman Catholic Church should... [Read more]

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So, what else do the Orthodox believe about the Theotokos

Well, Dave asked me to enumerate what else the Orthodox believe about the Theotokos. This list is in addition to what was mentioned previously. 1.  Almost of all us believe that she was assumed into heaven – but we think the Roman Church was very wrong to label this a dogma. 2.  There is a debate among us over whether Mary lived a sinless life, but we all agree that she was not born incapable... [Read more]

Why do we call her the Theotokos?

So, why do we call the Virgin Mary the Theotokos? Hmm, no, I am not talking about the theological justification for the term. I mean, why do we use the term, “Theotokos,” and do not simply use the English, “Mother of God?” After all, that term has been used by both Roman Catholic and Protestant. The Formula of Concord states, “Therefore she is truly the mother of God and... [Read more]

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The Protestant Theotokos and I

So, before I start out in discussing the Orthodox view of the Virgin Mary, let me do something different. Let me list with which doctrines of the Virgin Mary both the Reformers and I would agree. Now, here is my point. If one disagrees with the Orthodox Church, with the Roman Catholic Church, and with the Reformers on these doctrines, then one should no longer say that it is a Protestant/Catholic problem.... [Read more]