An Invitation to an Orthodox Study

[Philip]

We have recently begun a study of the Didache, an ancient Church document, in the Eastern Orthodox & Coptic Christianity forum. We would like to invite all Christian members to participate (keeping in mind the rules of the Eastern Orthodox & Coptic Christianity forum). Even if you feel you don't have anything to contribute, please feel free to read what the others post...you might just learn something about your Eastern brothers.

Join us to discuss The Didache: The Teaching of the Twelve.

 

[Auntie]

Philip,

There are already three anti-Protestant comments in the Didache thread. One negative remark about Martin Luther, and two referring to the error of "faith alone".

Surely, the Didache can be discussed without negative references about the Reformation, especially since you have invited Protestants to read and participate in the thread.

FROM THE DIDACHE:
"....second, love your neighbor as yourself, and do not do to another what you would not want done to you."

Thank you and God bless,

Auntie.

 

[Philip]

Philip,

There are already three anti-Protestant comments in the Didache thread. One negative remark about Martin Luther, and two referring to the error of "faith alone".

Surely, the Didache can be discussed without negative references about the Reformation, especially since you have invited Protestants to read and participate in the thread.

Concerning Sola Fida, it is a simple fact that the Didache does not teach it. You may disagree with the teachings of the Didache, but to ignore its emphasis on the importance of charity and love would be impossible. You are welcome to accept or reject whatever portions of the Didache you like. However, it is impossible to deny that the Didache teaches that charity is necessary.

Concerning Luther's desire to remove the book of James, while the comment was certainly off-topic, it is accurate.

 

[Kotton]

Philip,

There are already three anti-Protestant comments in the Didache thread. One negative remark about Martin Luther, and two referring to the error of "faith alone".

Auntie.

While the remark about Luther might better be dropped, it is a fact of history. If you are discussing the Didache, then observeing that it's writing do not teach 'faith alone' would be expected. The second 'referrence' is a quote, so only a repeat.

It seems when we post our observations, there will always be those who find objection in what is said. While we need to post in charity, real study will bring forth facts that some disagree with. All Christians should be open to the teachings of those first Christians, and studying the Didache is meant to be just that.

Kotton

 

[eldermike]

I think the Didache is great! Sure we should love and be charitable, that is what Jesus was all about and so is everyone filled with the HS, it's His Spirit after all. I don't find any revelation in this early writing, looks like Christianity to me. It's faith in practice, disciplines if you will, it's not about salvation the way I read it. We are illogically mixing a few ideas here.

 

[Knight]

I think the Didache is great! Sure we should love and be charitable, that is what Jesus was all about and so is everyone filled with the HS, it's His Spirit after all. I don't find any revelation in this early writing, looks like Christianity to me. It's faith in practice, disciplines if you will, it's not about salvation the way I read it. We are illogically mixing a few ideas here.

Using reason and logic.

What a radical approach, Mike.

Careful, you could get kicked out of the Internet Theologian's Society for tactics like that!

 

[eldermike]

Using reason and logic.

What a radical approach, Mike.

Careful, you could get kicked out of the Internet Theologian's Society for tactics like that!

It's ok, I didn't pay my dues, am expecting a letter any day now.

 

[Knight]

It's ok, I didn't pay my dues, am expecting a letter any day now.

There are dues???!!???

I think I'll go look for my letter.

 

[Auntie]

Concerning Sola Fida, it is a simple fact that the Didache does not teach it. You may disagree with the teachings of the Didache, but to ignore its emphasis on the importance of charity and love would be impossible. You are welcome to accept or reject whatever portions of the Didache you like. However, it is impossible to deny that the Didache teaches that charity is necessary.

Concerning Luther's desire to remove the book of James, while the comment was certainly off-topic, it is accurate.

I truely believe that charity and love can be discussed at length without making digs at the Reformation, because then it becomes a debate thread requiring a defense of our faith. Put the thread in IDD where we can defend our faith, or else don't invite us to a thread that points a negative finger at Protestants. Is that what charity and love are all about? Perhaps you should spend some time meditating on the teachings in the Didache.

While the remark about Luther might better be dropped, it is a fact of history. If you are discussing the Didache, then observeing that it's writing do not teach 'faith alone' would be expected. The second 'referrence' is a quote, so only a repeat.

It seems when we post our observations, there will always be those who find objection in what is said. While we need to post in charity, real study will bring forth facts that some disagree with. All Christians should be open to the teachings of those first Christians, and studying the Didache is meant to be just that.

Kotton

Agreed; real study will bring forth facts that some will disagree with. So please put the thread in IDD where we are free to discuss and disagree. Or else don't invite us into the thread. I really don't care what is posted in your forum, that is, you can make anti-Protestant remarks in there all day long for all I care. Just please don't invite us into a thread where we are not allowed to defend our faith, and then proceed to make provocative commentary. There is certainly no love and charity in that.

There are many aspects of the Didache that we can EASILY agree with. JUST ONCE, I would like to see a thread where the reader is encouraged to focus on the things we all have in COMMON in our beliefs; a thread that causes us all to rejoice AS ONE in Christ. When the emphasis is placed on our differences, then the thread needs to be in IDD.

 

[Miss Shelby]

Just please don't invite us into a thread where we are not allowed to defend our faith, and then proceed to make provocative commentary. There is certainly no love and charity in that.

Auntie, Philip told the individual who made that remark that Martin Luther was not the discussion point. The teachings of the Didache are the topic, though, and I think Philip was reaching out in the spirit of unity and love by inviting the members of this forum to participate. And I also don't think he intended the topic to be a 'debate' discussion, so why would he ask that it be moved to a forum where we will all end up bickering at one another?

Michelle

 

[Auntie]

Auntie, Philip told the individual who made that remark that Martin Luther was not the discussion point. The teachings of the Didache are the topic, though, and I think Philip was reaching out in the spirit of unity and love by inviting the members of this forum to participate.

If the local Baptist Church invites the local Catholic Church members to a special church meeting, and then the Baptist pastor allows different speakers to speak against your fath, how long would it take you to walk out of there? Or would you sit on your hands, endure to the end, and then thank the pastor for a wonderful meeting? Not too likely!

When we invite into discussion those of a faith differing from ours, we should also show a sensitivity towards their beliefs. Otherwise, it becomes a debate thread.

I'm sure Philip's intentions were good. He also holds the power of the "edit" and "delete" function.