How can RCs and Protestants reconcile

[LittleLambofJesus]

Considering the amount of thread on denominations and Catholacism, what can be done within Christianity to reconcile the main 3 sects of Christianity, primarily Orthodox, RC and Protestant.
Throw out a few ideas. Thanks

I recommend the Papal office of the Pope being downgraded to just being a Bishop of equal in Rome.

 

[Zoness]

Catholics won't let that happen they like that office a lot and most protestants would still find a reason for the RC to be called "harlot of babylon".

In a word: nothing.

I spend most of my time trying to get various protestant denominations to agree as it is.

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

This is interesting. About 5 reps I received now show the posts as N/A

 

[HandmaidenOfGod]

Considering the amount of thread on denominations and Catholacism, what can be done within Christianity to reconcile the main 3 sects of Christianity, primarily Orthodox, RC and Protestant.
Throw out a few ideas. Thanks

It is highly unfair to lump all of the Protestant groups together and assume that if, say, the Presbyterian Church of the USA were willing to re-unite with the Orthodox and Catholics that the Missouri-Synod Lutherans would agree. There's too many groups to water it down to a few "suggestions."

I recommend the Papal office of the Pope being downgraded to just being a Bishop of equal in Rome.

You mean the way it was before the schism of 1054?

If the Roman Catholic Church were willing to drop the whole "Papal Supremacy/Infallibility" line, the filioque, and the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception of the Theotokos, the EOC would be willing to come to the table.

 

[sunlover1]

Considering the amount of thread on denominations and Catholacism, what can be done within Christianity to reconcile the main 3 sects of Christianity, primarily Orthodox, RC and Protestant.

I dont think anything 'humanly' possible can be done to stop
humans from desiring 'justice' for their neighbor, yet hiding
their own head in the sand and claiming grace for themselves.
It's a dog eat dog world, EVEN in Christiandom evidently.
It's everywhere LL:

Attacks on SDA
Attacks on Pentecostalism
Attacks on LUtherism

 

[MrPolo]

Since EO aren't Protestant, I'll stick to the issue at hand. Protestantism is largely born from Sola Scriptura. Is it not? Luther's foundational premise was denial of Church hierarchy, and interpreter of Scripture above the bishops.

In like manner, one church founder interprets something different than his neighbor, and the churches are sifted like wheat.

On the Catholics' end, we have to live the faith more truly and stress orthodoxy. The light of Christ will shine and become attractive.

 

[archierieus]

If by 'reconcile' you mean to co-exist in harmony, then I expect that would entail recognizing the legitimacy of each party on its own merits. If you mean more than that, i.e. reunification, then I would direct attention of the parties to Jn. 17:17:

"Sanctify them through Thy truth. Thy Woird is truth."

Unity on the platform of God's holy Word, the Bible would be the Scriptural basis for unification. Doctrinal differences? I believe significant ones could be easily resolved in conformity to the Bible, if the parties would not bring differing agendas to the table.

Dave

 

[HandmaidenOfGod]

I pray for re-unification of the RCC and the EOC.

After all, how else do you expect to get a canoli and a gyro at the same festival???

Let's think of the important things here people!!!!!

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

If by 'reconcile' you mean to co-exist in harmony, then I expect that would entail recognizing the legitimacy of each party on its own merits. If you mean more than that, i.e. reunification, then I would direct attention of the parties to Jn. 17:17:

"Sanctify them through Thy truth. Thy Woird is truth."

Unity on the platform of God's holy Word, the Bible would be the Scriptural basis for unification. Doctrinal differences? I believe significant ones could be easily resolved in conformity to the Bible, if the parties would not bring differing agendas to the table.

Dave

The greek word used for reconcile is rather interesting. Different forms are used and no matter how one defines reconciling, JESUS promises ALL will finally be reconciled to Him, not thru denominationalism but thru One Body joined with Him in spirit and truth.

Coloss 1:20 and thru Him to reconcile/apokatallaxai <604> (5658) the all into Him, peace-making thru the blood of the staruos of Him thru Him whether the upon the Land whether the in the heavens

Textus Rec.) Colossians 1:20 kai di autou apokatallaxai ta panta eiV auton eirhnopoihsaV dia tou aimatoV tou staurou autou di autou eite ta epi thV ghV eite ta en toiV ouranoiV

604. apokatallasso ap-ok-at-al-las'-so from 575 and 2644; to reconcile fully:--reconcile.
575. apo apo' a primary particle; "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)....
2644. katallasso kat-al-las'-so from 2596 and 236; to change mutually, i.e. (figuratively) to compound a difference:--reconcile.
2596. kata kat-ah' a primary particle; (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case
236. allasso al-las'-so from 243; to make different:--change.

 

[wildboar]

I think at least part of the problem is that Protestant denominations most willing to just reconcile with the Roman Catholic Church have a bunch of problems that the RCC wouldn't accept into her own communion (ordination of women and homsexuals, etc.). I've heard that at least some in the RCC actually say they have more in common with the LCMS than the ELCA which is more open to them. As a member of an LCMS church I really don't see myself as a Protestant. Luther did not leave the church to form some new denomination. Luther was excommunicated. I view the Lutheran church as the true continuation of the Western church. As long as the Council of Trent still carries authority among Roman Catholics I do not see how any real reconciliation can take place. I have some good friends who are Eastern Orthodox and appreciate a lot about the Eastern Orthodox Church but I think Armenian and Greek Orthodox are going to have to get along better before they can get along with anyone else. Reconciliation must be based on a common understanding of the truth, not just seeking the lowest common denominator. We all need to pray for these divisions to be healed but I think we all need to start by working on the divisions in our own denominations. I do regard the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church as being Christian churches but if we pretend there are no differences everyone suffers. If we pretend we're all in agreement we all have to avoid talking about anything we disagree on and ultimately deprive people of God's Word and the Gospel.

 

[HandmaidenOfGod]

It should be noted that the Armenian and Greek Orthodox Churches are NOT in communion with one another. The Armenian Orthodox Church does not fall under the umbrella of Eastern Orthodoxy, but rather Oriental Orthodoxy.

 

[Standing Up]

Considering the amount of thread on denominations and Catholacism, what can be done within Christianity to reconcile the main 3 sects of Christianity, primarily Orthodox, RC and Protestant.
Throw out a few ideas. Thanks

I recommend the Papal office of the Pope being downgraded to just being a Bishop of equal in Rome.

Psalm 133:1 Behold, how good and how pleasant [it is] for brethren to dwell together in unity!

John 13:7, 14-16 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. ... If I then, [your] Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.

After 2,000 years of walking the earth, spreading the gospel, the feet are dusty.

John 13:8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.

It will be self decided.

 

[seashale76]

Considering the amount of thread on denominations and Catholacism, what can be done within Christianity to reconcile the main 3 sects of Christianity, primarily Orthodox, RC and Protestant.
Throw out a few ideas. Thanks

I recommend the Papal office of the Pope being downgraded to just being a Bishop of equal in Rome.

Ooh! Pick me! I know, I know!

The RCC and the Protestants can reconcile when they begin believing the same things.

 

[Yarddog]

Considering the amount of thread on denominations and Catholacism, what can be done within Christianity to reconcile the main 3 sects of Christianity, primarily Orthodox, RC and Protestant.
Throw out a few ideas. Thanks

I recommend the Papal office of the Pope being downgraded to just being a Bishop of equal in Rome.

Well, one is for certain, when Jesus returns all the worldly matters which separate us will be done away with and it will be done. I can't wait.

Yarddog

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

Well, one is for certain, when Jesus returns all the worldly matters which separate us will be done away with and it will be done. I can't wait.

Yarddog

Yeah, that is beginning to sound like a broken record around on CF. Seems every generation of Christians for almost 2000yrs has said that.

Revelation 22:10 And he is saying to me "no thou should be sealing the Words of the Prophecy of the Scroll, this, that the Time NIGH/egguV <1451> is"

James 5:8 be ye patient! and stand-fast! the hearts of ye, that the Parousia <3952> of the Lord has-neared/hggiken <1448>(5758)

 

[Yarddog]

Yeah, that is beginning to sound like a broken record around on CF. Seems every generation of Christians for almost 2000yrs has said that.

I like the oldies but goodies they never go away.

 

[Musa80]

If the Roman Catholic Church were willing to drop the whole "Papal Supremacy/Infallibility" line, the filioque, and the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception of the Theotokos, the EOC would be willing to come to the table.

Hey Handmaiden. Papal Infallibility is an obvious one, and I can see the filioque as a sticking point, but I'm curious why the Immaculate Conception would need to be dropped in your opinion. Yes it's entirely born of Western theology, but does anyone really expect Rome to adopt Eastern theology, ever?

 

[angrylittlefisherman]

If we are talking about unifying the churches Protestant, EO and RCC the we have to look at a few things beyond papal infallibility filioque and Mary. First we have to ask is it possible for the 20,0000+ protestant denominations to unify?
I would say that the likelihood of a catholic unification is as likely as it was in the violently confusing times of the ecumenical councils. There is no new heresy and there is no new dogma. Essentially little has changed since then in regards to a catholic unification between the churches.
But I think that the problem that lies at this point for protestant unification is in the very word "protestant." Its root word is "protest." Hence the idea of a hierarchical authority is rather repulsive for most but not all of the protestant sect. Which brings me to another problem, what is a "protestant?" There are so many different kinds and each can believe some very vastly different dogmas. So how are they the same?
Then we have to reconcile so many other aforementioned things in regards to the RCC, EO and even Coptic/.Oriental Orthodox.
So essentially it would be one huge crazy awful mess and the only solution I see is that every individual should just convert to Orthodoxy. I think that would be best.

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

..............So essentially it would be one huge crazy awful mess and the only solution I see is that every individual should just convert to Orthodoxy. I think that would be best.

Sounds like a good plan

 

[Musa80]

So essentially it would be one huge crazy awful mess and the only solution I see is that every individual should just convert to Orthodoxy. I think that would be best.

/Intercisus Puts on flame retardant suit and silently considers temporarily changing faith icon