God's blessings to each of you!
A friend of mine referred me to this site, saying that y'all had a penchant for interesting debate and some fun now and then.
My name is Father Robert Lyons, and I am a Presbyter (or, if you prefer Priest -- either term is fine) in the Primitive Episcopal Church, a body dedicated to the preservation and restoration of the primtive, patristic Church. We are evangelical (being rather bibliocentric in our views on the infalliablity of the Scriptures), Anglican (following in the Liturgical heritage of the Book of Common Prayer and the 39 Articles of Religion) and Catholic (holding fast to the threefold ministry of Bishops, Presbyters, and Deacons in Apostolic/Episcopal Succession, the Sacraments, etc...)
I grew up a Roman Catholic, and still have a great love for thet RC Church -- in spite of my differences with that body. Those differences can be summed up as follows:
1. Disagree in the Universal Jurisdiction of the Pope.
2. Do not find any biblical evidence for the dogmas of the Immaculate Conception of Mary or her Assumption.
3. Disagree with the practice if the Invocation of Saints for their assistance (though I still celebrate Daily Masses in honour of and to commemorate the example of the saints)
4. Do not accept the materialistic, "earthy" definiations of the Sacraments -- especially the Eucharist -- preferring instead the Eastern views on the mystery and awe of the Sacraments.
I strongly accept some of the following doctrines:
1. The Real Presence of our Lord in the Eucharist
2. The divine institution of the Apostolic Succession and the absolute necessity of it's continuation.
3. That while tradition (especially patristic tradition) is essential to understanding the Bible, that the Bible itself is very clear on it's own demands upon the Christian.
5. That Protestants, not possessing valid ministers in succession are, at best, separated brethern from the varying Catholic Churches (Anglican, Old Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Roman).
6. That it is fine, on a biblical basis, to call presbyters Father. ;-)
I will probably just look around for a few days and get to know some of what is going on around here before I jump in too deep. . . but I am looking forward with great interest to what I have heard about this board.
God's blessings to you all!
Fr. Rob Lyons
A friend of mine referred me to this site, saying that y'all had a penchant for interesting debate and some fun now and then.
My name is Father Robert Lyons, and I am a Presbyter (or, if you prefer Priest -- either term is fine) in the Primitive Episcopal Church, a body dedicated to the preservation and restoration of the primtive, patristic Church. We are evangelical (being rather bibliocentric in our views on the infalliablity of the Scriptures), Anglican (following in the Liturgical heritage of the Book of Common Prayer and the 39 Articles of Religion) and Catholic (holding fast to the threefold ministry of Bishops, Presbyters, and Deacons in Apostolic/Episcopal Succession, the Sacraments, etc...)
I grew up a Roman Catholic, and still have a great love for thet RC Church -- in spite of my differences with that body. Those differences can be summed up as follows:
1. Disagree in the Universal Jurisdiction of the Pope.
2. Do not find any biblical evidence for the dogmas of the Immaculate Conception of Mary or her Assumption.
3. Disagree with the practice if the Invocation of Saints for their assistance (though I still celebrate Daily Masses in honour of and to commemorate the example of the saints)
4. Do not accept the materialistic, "earthy" definiations of the Sacraments -- especially the Eucharist -- preferring instead the Eastern views on the mystery and awe of the Sacraments.
I strongly accept some of the following doctrines:
1. The Real Presence of our Lord in the Eucharist
2. The divine institution of the Apostolic Succession and the absolute necessity of it's continuation.
3. That while tradition (especially patristic tradition) is essential to understanding the Bible, that the Bible itself is very clear on it's own demands upon the Christian.
5. That Protestants, not possessing valid ministers in succession are, at best, separated brethern from the varying Catholic Churches (Anglican, Old Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Roman).
6. That it is fine, on a biblical basis, to call presbyters Father. ;-)
I will probably just look around for a few days and get to know some of what is going on around here before I jump in too deep. . . but I am looking forward with great interest to what I have heard about this board.
God's blessings to you all!
Fr. Rob Lyons
