Orthodox Theology

[ALoveDivine]

Can one adhere to the Eastern Orthodox theological understanding, and yet remain in communion with the Catholic Church? I know about the Eastern Rite, but I'm not sure to what degree they are compelled to accept Roman Catholic definitions and dogmatic statements.

For example, can one reject the entire notion of original sin as transmission of guilt or as a "stain" and yet remain in communion? It seems that without this Latin conception of original sin the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception is rendered nonsensical.

Also as another example, can one reject the theology of "mortal/venial" sins and still remain in communion? Orthodox theology never claims that a particular sin will certainly damn someone if unconfessed, preferring instead to hope in the mercy of God. The view is also held that all sins should be confessed if possible without making a hard and fast distinction. Is such a view acceptable for a Catholic?

I find myself in love with EO theology and I feel in my heart that it is true, but to be honest, conversion to the Orthodox Church seems like a headache. I've been baptised, confirmed, and communed Catholic, so I don't want to make that jump unless I have no other choice. Yet I reject original sin as guilt-transmission, I don't accept that particular sins assuredly damn a soul, and I don't believe purgatory is an actual place let alone a place of pain or punishment. So I kind of feel like I'm caught between a rock and a hard place. I want to remain Catholic, but I won't be a cafeteria Catholic, and if I must accept these doctrines that I reject I'll leave rather than be a hypocrite. So I hope I can hold to an eastern theology/soteriology and remain in the Church.

 

[dzheremi]

You are only as Orthodox as your communion is.

It is not possible to be an Orthodox Christian outside of the Orthodox Church.

Orthodox Christians cannot be in communion with heterodox churches as a willful act of submission or obedience to a heterodox ecclesiastical ideal, as though Orthodox Christianity includes everything but the ecclesiology that makes what you're suggesting literally impossible (in addition to all the theological problems involved in this idea).

In light of where I am posting, I only feel comfortable with these very general statements.

I think you are in a very tough position. I was in a similar position myself, and, as you put it, I eventually found I had no other choice but to join the Orthodox Church.

God be with you.

 

[Stabat Mater dolorosa]

As our friend Dzheremi points out this is quite a delicate question to ask here at OBOB as giving the answers youre looking for most likely involve violation of the sub-forum rules of OBOB.

Answering generally myself (or at least try to do so) Im tempted to say that one should follow ones beliefs and faith.
Knowing how authoritative both the Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox/ Oriental Orthodox Communion is one must either share the belief in core dogmas and doctrine of ones respective church or at least strive to come to a greater understanding of the given church`s teaching so that you with time may come to understand the truth as revealed in the Sacred Tradition.

If you dont adhere to the faith and the essensials of the church and you are determent that you never will then I fear there is only a matter of time until one ends up a cafeteria Catholic or attending mass feeling (like you said) like a big hypocrite.

Years ago I where Lutheran and I too toyed with the idea of staying Lutheran and just attend mass once in a while and just be like a semi-catholic Lutheran, but as time went by I understood that in order to live peacefully with myself I had to convert to Catholicism and so I did.
I mean for me at least I started getting this revolting feeling when attending my former church as I went to recieve the "eucharist" from a priestess.

Unlike the heterodox leftwing "catholics" I wouldnt stay in a church that I dissagree with and try to alter their theology through lobbying.
Then personally I find it better to find a communion to enter that shares your faith.