Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Wads4 · 11-18-2005, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orthodox_Freethinker

History shows that the Orthodox Church is the direct descendent of the original Christian communities, the Church which Christ and the Apostles founded on this earth. Any church other than Orthodoxy is nothing more than a tangent of the true faith.

Peace.

So why hasn't the Orthodox Church achieved full dominance over the others in nearly 2000 years of history; and why does every other Church claim to be the true faith?

JoyJuice · 11-18-2005, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roach Clips

There are thousands of different sects within christianity. I've had a fundy say this is so because the bible says it would happen.

What does the bible actually say about all the different interpretations of the Bible we have today?

Which Bible? The Catholic, Protestant, or Orthodox?

Helpmabob · 11-18-2005, 03:04 AM

Read 1 John 4 e.g. - Hereby know ye the Spirit of God:Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God:and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. [1 John 4:2,3]. Such christians ought therefore to be united in Christ. But we are not perfect, and the devil loves to try to confound us. And there are already examples from the Bible of divisions emerging. Complete unity now would be suspicious.

Orthodox_Freethinker · 11-18-2005, 03:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wads4

So why hasn't the Orthodox Church achieved full dominance over the others in nearly 2000 years of history

Unlike Catholicism, Orthodoxy has not converted by the sword. Furthermore, the truth of a belief system is not determined by the amount of people who adhere to it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wads4

and why does every other Church claim to be the true faith?

Because they either ignore history or deliberately lie.

Peace.

JoyJuice · 11-18-2005, 04:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Helpmabob

Read 1 John 4 e.g. - Hereby know ye the Spirit of God:Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God:and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. [1 John 4:2,3]. Such christians ought therefore to be united in Christ. But we are not perfect, and the devil loves to try to confound us. And there are already examples from the Bible of divisions emerging. Complete unity now would be suspicious.

Haven't there always been divisions in Christ from day one, like the verses you quote, which are polemic to address those differing views and divisions.

freigeister · 11-18-2005, 08:02 AM

This is quite straightforward:

Quote:

Think ye, that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, no; but separation.
For there shall be from henceforth five in one house divided: three against two, and two against three.
The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against his father, the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother, the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

Luke 12:51-53

Helpmabob · 11-19-2005, 02:33 AM

Hi alkech -

Quote:

Haven't there always been divisions in Christ from day one

There is a distinction to be drawn here between what is a division in Christ and what is a division between Christ and worldly wisdom. Here is unity in Christ:

The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. & The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" [1 Corinthians 12:12&21]

Every church follows different traditions - it is great that there is a choice in this matter of how we praise God. And not everyone that goes to each church is a christian (i.e. in Christ) - but all are welcome, and it is the hope that they will come to the Lord in their own time. Then there are the sects which do not acknowledge Christ as Lord and Saviour. All of this leads to apparent and real division in the church, that I don't deny. But I repeat as above that those in Christ are united.

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11-18-2005, 03:04 AM	#13
Helpmabob Regular Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: UK Posts: 431	Read 1 John 4 e.g. - Hereby know ye the Spirit of God:Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God:and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. [1 John 4:2,3]. Such christians ought therefore to be united in Christ. But we are not perfect, and the devil loves to try to confound us. And there are already examples from the Bible of divisions emerging. Complete unity now would be suspicious.

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