Catholics and Orthodox

[Bulldog]

A couple of days ago, I went to the Orthodox room and asked what the difference between them and Catholics were. Now I'd like to see it from the Cathilic perspective. What are the differences between Catholics and Othodox?

 

[nyj]

http://christianforums.com/t87621

 

[Rosa Mystica]

Bulldog,

Here are some of the differences b/w the two faiths (that I know of):

1) Catholics believe the pope is the head of the Church. Orthodox Christians disagree.

2) Catholics believe that divorce and remarriage is a sin. Orthodox believe that one can get married in their church up to three times (or so I've read on an Orthodox website. What is this teaching based on, btw?)

3) The Catholic Church has NEVER changed its doctrines (we believe it can't be changed). The Orthodox have changed some of theirs. For example, Orthodox Christians have traditionally been against contraception. Now, many of their churches have dropped this prohibition.

4) Orthodox believe that if one is not a member of their church, then they will automatically go to Hell (or so I've heard). Conversely, Catholics believe that if one is truly ignorant of the Truth, then he/she can still be saved.


These are some of the major differences which stand out in my mind.

Rosa

 

[Orthodox Andrew]

Bulldog,

Here are some of the differences b/w the two faiths (that I know of):

1) Catholics believe the pope is the head of the Church. Orthodox Christians disagree.

2) Catholics believe that divorce and remarriage is a sin. Orthodox believe that one can get married in their church up to three times (or so I've read on an Orthodox website. What is this teaching based on, btw?)

3) The Catholic Church has NEVER changed its doctrines (we believe it can't be changed). The Orthodox have changed some of theirs. For example, Orthodox Christians have traditionally been against contraception. Now, many of their churches have dropped this prohibition.

4) Orthodox believe that if one is not a member of their church, then they will automatically go to Hell (or so I've heard). Conversely, Catholics believe that if one is truly ignorant of the Truth, then he/she can still be saved.


These are some of the major differences which stand out in my mind.

Rosa

May I just say two small things?

3) We never change doctrine. Come on, that's our claim to fame.

4) We certainly don't believe that people who are not Orthodox Christians go to hell. We always say we know where the Church is, we just don't know where it isn't.

 

[Oblio]

Several of these would require discussion (and perhaps segue into debate) so out of respect I will not address them, but one of them

Orthodox believe that if one is not a member of their church, then they will automatically go to Hell (or so I've heard).

Is simply not the position of The Orthodox Church.

 

[Rosa Mystica]

Several of these would require discussion (and perhaps segue into debate) so out of respect I will not address them, but one of them



Is simply not the position of The Orthodox Church.

If this is so, Oblio (and I will take your word for it), then there's a great number of individuals out there who are misrepresenting your Church.

I'm only repeating what I've heard from others. None of these points are my personal opinion.

 

[Oblio]

I've always heard it as Andreas expressed it. There may be hyper-traditionalists that hold to this view. The answer is, we just don't know, all we can say is Lord have Mercy !

 

[nyj]

If this is so, Oblio (and I will take your word for it), then there's a great number of individuals out there who are misrepresenting your Church.

To be fair, there are a great deal of Catholics who take Extra Ecclesium Nulla Salus to the extreme as well.

 

[Oblio]

From Questions and Answers on the Orthodox Faith - Fr. Thomas Hopko


11. You talk as if only the Orthodox who believe these things can be saved. What about other Christians and all other men in the world?

In the first place it must be made clear that it is not enough for anyone merely to believe these things, or merely to be a formal member of the Church. In order to be saved one must live by the truth and love of God.

It is the common teaching of the Orthodox Christian tradition that the Church has no monopoly on grace and truth and love. The Church teaches on the contrary that God is the Sovereign Lord who saves those whom He wills.

The Church believes as well that salvation depends upon the actual life of the person, and God alone is capable of judging since He alone knows the secrets of each mind and heart. Only God is capable of judging how well a man lives according to the measure of grace, faith, understanding, and strength given to him.

The Orthodox would insist, nevertheless, that an honest seeker of truth and love will see these things perfectly realized and expressed in Jesus Christ and will recognize God, the end of their seeking, in Him.

We all know, however, that our image of Christ is deformed both by the lives and the doctrines of those who claim him, and thus His truth and love and His very person remain obscure and hidden to those who might follow Him if they could see Him clearly.

But once again, let it be clear that every man is judged by God alone according to the actual truth and love in his life. This goes for Orthodox and non-Orthodox alike. And although the Orthodox confess that the fulness of truth and love is found in the life of the church, nominal church membership or formal assent to some doctrines does not at all guarantee salvation.

 

[Oblio]

To be fair, there are a great deal of Catholics who take Extra Ecclesium Nulla Salus to the extreme as well.

Would these be the SSPX folks ?

 

[ChoirDir]

1) Catholics believe the pope is the head of the Church. Orthodox Christians disagree.

Orthodox view the Pope as the head of the Church of Rome. Pre split there were 5 churches.

The Catholic Church has NEVER changed its doctrines (we believe it can't be changed). The Orthodox have changed some of theirs.

Immaculate Conception and pergatory were 19th century changes!

 

[nyj]

Would these be the SSPX folks ?

Perhaps, I stay as far away from the SSPX as I can, so I'm not sure if they definitively teach this or not. However, typically people who take it to the extreme refer to themselves as Feeneyites, as it was Fr. Feeney who originally took this to the extreme.

 

[nyj]

Immaculate Conception and pergatory were 19th century changes!

Really? Purgatory was a 19th century change?

That is quite odd, seeing as how the Council of Florence in the 15th century discusses this doctrine!

PS: Your post can be seen as having debate intentions.

PSS: Some Orthodox believe in "Toll Houses" so how you can rail against Purgatory is puzzling to me.

 

[Oblio]

To be fair, we should not argue or debate debatables but allow the OP get the Catholic view on differences. I felt I should (and forgive me if I erred) correct what was IMO an inncorrect viewoint of the EO belief on salvation outside the EO Church so I posted that.

 

[Oblio]

Perhaps, I stay as far away from the SSPX as I can, so I'm not sure if they definitively teach this or not. However, typically people who take it to the extreme refer to themselves as Feeneyites, as it was Fr. Feeney who originally took this to the extreme.

Thanks, we have our own versions of SSPX and even some extremists within canonical Orthodoxy.

 

[Matrona]

PSS: Some Orthodox believe in "Toll Houses" so how you can rail against Purgatory is puzzling to me.

Some Orthodox believe in the Easter Bunny. Does that make the Easter Bunny an article of our faith?

 

[nyj]

Some Orthodox believe in the Easter Bunny. Does that make the Easter Bunny an article of our faith?

Really? They actually believe in the existance of the Easter Bunny? That's quite odd.

Matrona, I've gone over this in the past with an Orthodox poster, the fact of the matter is, several Orthodox Metropolitans have clearly stated that Toll Houses can be found as a part of Orthodox Tradition, and as such are a part of your article of faith. Now, if you wish to argue with an Orthodox Metropolitan, be my guest, just don't do it here.

 

[thereselittleflower]

1) Catholics believe the pope is the head of the Church. Orthodox Christians disagree.

Orthodox view the Pope as the head of the Church of Rome. Pre split there were 5 churches.


Immaculate Conception and pergatory were 19th century changes!

ChoirDir

Actuall, as has been pointed out, this is not true . .

They were not changes . .they were declarations of beliefs already long held to . . that is all . . they were not new, nor changes to anything pe-existing . .

Peace in Him!

 

[ChoirDir]

Not wishing to debate. Catholics have had councils making changes over the years, I stand corrected the Council of Trent 1561-1563 officially formulated the doctrines of purgatory, indulgences, transubstantiation. Immaculate Conception was in the 19th century. This still shows that doctrine was changed

 

[nyj]

Not wishing to debate.

Yet you are.

Catholics have had councils making changes over the years, I stand corrected the Council of Trent 1561-1563 officially formulated the doctrines of purgatory, indulgences, transubstantiation. Immaculate Conception was in the 19th century. This still shows that doctrine was changed

Well ChoirDir, when did the Council of Nicene get together to formulate the Trinity? What about the Council of Chalcedon defining the Hypostasis? Both were well past the death of Jesus Christ. Does that make the Trinity or Hypostasis a change in doctrine? It does if we take your line of argumentation to it's natural conclusion. That of course would not be a good thing.