Is The OC the True Church?

[George95]

As a kid, I wondered if our Church is the True Church from Christ.

A few years ago, I started to discover the other churches(Protestant, Catholic)and the question popped in my head.

Is it the True Church? And I always answered with the answer Yes. If it wasn't surely God wouldn't have allowed it to continue this long.

Can someone help me out, and my apologies if I sound dumb for asking this.

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

Yes

 

[jckstraw72]

absolutely

 

[ArmyMatt]

yep, only Orthodoxy has kept the faith of the Apostles

 

[MilesVitae]

Yes

I dare say the Catholics and Protestants will answer differently...

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

They'd be wrong!

I dare say the Catholics and Protestants will answer differently...

 

[truthseeker32]

Whether one affirms the truth of Orthodoxy or not, it is important to note that its longevity alone doesn't prove it's veracity. Otherwise we would have to say the oldest extant religion, which isn't Orthodoxy, is the most true.

 

[MilesVitae]

They'd be wrong!

Says the Orthodox guy

 

[MilesVitae]

Whether one affirms the truth of Orthodoxy or not, it is important to note that its longevity alone doesn't prove it's veracity. Otherwise we would have to say the oldest extant religion, which isn't Orthodoxy, is the most true.

Indeed, let's not all become Hindus here.

 

[InnerPhyre]

I dare say the Catholics and Protestants will answer differently...

So would Mormons.....your point?

 

[InnerPhyre]

Whether one affirms the truth of Orthodoxy or not, it is important to note that its longevity alone doesn't prove it's veracity. Otherwise we would have to say the oldest extant religion, which isn't Orthodoxy, is the most true.

Which is why it is important that we don't base our claim to the truth on our age alone. The Roman Church is almost as old as the Orthodox Church, and yet they have some grievous theological errors.

 

[Gnarwhal]

I can see the claim being true, unaltered and unbroken since 2000C.E.

It's kind of hard to have an objective discussion about it here though. I mean, it doesn't matter if you ask this question in TAW or somewhere else on CF - I don't know if you would get a genuinely objective answer. I respect an Orthodox Christian who expresses honest doubt and uncertainty... it'd probably make me more inclined to explore Orthodoxy, or at least accept the merits of the claim that it is the true church.

Not trying to debate, just saying when it comes to these claims it seems like objectivity is hard to come by. If there is a "one true church" I think Orthodoxy has more weight in owning that title than anyone else.

 

[Dewi Sant]

yes.

We engage in the same relationship of love as did our forefathers in the faith.
We continue to share in that same joy which the followers of Christ dwelt with, and which the prophets of old were so eager to pursue.

The Church is made a gift of faithfulness to us and we share in that.


Whether the Roman Catholic or Protestant churches are among the 'true church' is not really of any consequence.
What is of key importance is that the life of the Orthodox Church continues to life and to charge us in our devotion to God, and to the wellness of life here in our mortal existence.

Because the Orthodox Church is of such great importance in our lives, and because we draw so much joy from her unending resources, it is only natural for our love for the Church to express itself among those we meet.
The Peace of God which comes to the Orthodox believer is the greatest means of 'advertising' the faith to others. Let it not be our deeds but Christ's which call people home to Christ and His Saints.

 

[Kristos]

As a kid, I wondered if our Church is the True Church from Christ.

A few years ago, I started to discover the other churches(Protestant, Catholic)and the question popped in my head.

Is it the True Church? And I always answered with the answer Yes. If it wasn't surely God wouldn't have allowed it to continue this long.

Can someone help me out, and my apologies if I sound dumb for asking this.

I think that is a good question and one that ultimately you will have to answer yourself. You can start by researching some of the claims being made here. Read some Church history, read about the councils and the early church fathers, and above all, read scripture. It's big task, but you should really try to read the entire NT at least three times. This will help you immensely in understanding Orthodox practices in the light of Christ.

 

[prodromos]

I would also suggest reading the lives of the saints, both the ancient and recent and see the same fruit of the Holy Spirit welling up in them. Yes, miracles also happen in heterodox churches, but the vast number which occur in the Orthodox church is almost embarrasing in comparison. Our Orthodox faith is also an organic whole where everything we believe is also lived out in the church. Then there is the Liturgy, which I will not attempt to elaborate on as there are others far better qualified to speak on that. Another inexaustible subject that many good books have been written on.

 

[Dewi Sant]

I find the greatest thing of Orthodoxy is absolute certainty and peace of mind.

 

[ArmyMatt]

I can see the claim being true, unaltered and unbroken since 2000C.E.

It's kind of hard to have an objective discussion about it here though. I mean, it doesn't matter if you ask this question in TAW or somewhere else on CF - I don't know if you would get a genuinely objective answer. I respect an Orthodox Christian who expresses honest doubt and uncertainty... it'd probably make me more inclined to explore Orthodoxy, or at least accept the merits of the claim that it is the true church.

Not trying to debate, just saying when it comes to these claims it seems like objectivity is hard to come by. If there is a "one true church" I think Orthodoxy has more weight in owning that title than anyone else.

well, I think that it is Christ's guarentee that the gates of hades would not prevail. so that Church of the Apostles must still exist somewhere. not with one being closest to it, but one would actually have to be it for Christ's words to be true.

 

[buzuxi]

Orthodoxy, is the Church of the Fathers and there is no other.

 

[katherine2001]

well, I think that it is Christ's guarentee that the gates of hades would not prevail. so that Church of the Apostles must still exist somewhere. not with one being closest to it, but one would actually have to be it for Christ's words to be true.

The Orthodox Church is living proof of Christ's guarantee that the gates of Hades would not prevail, with as much persecution as she has lived through in her 2000 years.

 

[Gxg (G²)]

If there is a "one true church" I think Orthodoxy has more weight in owning that title than anyone else.

Evidence alone as it concerns practices and authenticity in reflecting lifestyle of the Early Church more than others is something I don't see others able to easily say cannot be of the Orthodox Church. For me, it was the documentation alone (i.e. Councils, Church Fathers, etc.) - as well as the worship via symbolism and Temple Format - that convinced me of the validity ....and above all else, the sheer beauty/consistency found within it as it concerns their connection with the Past and not being concerned with constantly having to alter with the culture as many churches do today as if it's about keeping up with fashion trends or fads - and yet within the Ancientness of their practices, still managing to connect with others today practically when it comes to dealing with issues that plague our world.

I don't say that to say other churches outside of Orthodoxy have not reflected many aspects that were a part of the makeup of the Early Body of Believers (or prior with believers in the OT era) - but it is wonderful to know how so much of what others see did have a reference/beginning in the Orthodox Church....Eastern Christianity as a whole, actually, when it comes to the Middle-Eastern context that things developed in.