Orthodox vs. Protestant belief differences?

[Vicomte13]

Yes! It is not that difficult.

It is not difficult to listen to the Spirit, no. What becomes difficult is when the Spirit tells different people different things.

 

[Tangible]

It is not difficult to listen to the Spirit, no. What becomes difficult is when the Spirit tells different people different things.

Which is why Sola Scriptura comes in handy at times.

 

[Vicomte13]

Which is why Sola Scriptura comes in handy at times.

Of course. But who decides what is Scripture, and which manuscript, and what itt means, especially when it conflicts? The Spirit, once again. But the Spirit leads different people to very different places.

Of course, if one really trusts the Spirit, that different people believe God wants very different things of people is ok, because obviously, by the Spirit, he does.

Fair?

 

[friend of]

Also, OP, I think your question is fundamentally wrong and inappropriate. You should be asking which Christ aligns with, not which you align with.

Truth. Just highlighting this response. Lest I had forgotten the root of my seeking, after all.

 

[GingerBeer]

There was much of the corrupt spirit that crept into the Church slowly, even while Christ still walked the earth

How can you tell what was corrupt and what was not if it crept in while Jesus was still on the Earth?

 

[Tangible]

Of course. But who decides what is Scripture, and which manuscript, and what it means, especially when it conflicts? The Spirit, once again.

Well, I don't believe that Scripture conflicts, when understood in the correct context.

But the Spirit leads different people to very different places.

A spirit anyway.

Of course, if one really trusts the Spirit, that different people believe God wants very different things of people is ok, because obviously, by the Spirit, he does.

Fair?

Not really. There is only one correct understanding of scripture: The original meaning intended by the Holy Spirit working through human writers.

 

[Constantine the Sinner]

No other Christians can hold a candle the Orthodox in terms of matyrs and other radical witnesses to the faith. That didn't die in the third century for us, it continues to this day; the kind of Christianity Kierkegaard thought was gone

 

[Constantine the Sinner]

Well, I don't believe that Scripture conflicts, when understood in the correct context.

A spirit anyway.

Not really. There is only one correct understanding of scripture: The original meaning intended by the Holy Spirit working through human writers.

Which the ancient saints witness.

 

[SteveIndy]

And you know what is "corrupt" by the Spirit, yes?

In a confrontation with the Gnostics (distinguished by the conviction that matter is evil and that emancipation comes through gnosis i.e. knowledge) of his day, Tertullian (160-230), a gifted Christian writer and apologist, defended his claim of the true Gospel this way,

“I say that my Gospel is the true one; Marcion, that his is. I affirm that Marcion's Gospel is adulterated; Marcion, that mine is. Now what is to settle the point for us, except it be that principle of time, which rules that the authority lies with that which shall be found to be more ancient; and assumes as an elemental truth, that corruption (of doctrine) belongs to the side which shall be convicted of comparative lateness in its origin. For, inasmuch as error is falsification of truth, it must needs be that truth therefore precede error. A thing must exist prior to its suffering any casualty; and an object must precede all rivalry to itself. Else how absurd it would be, that, when we have proved our position to be the older one, and Marcion's the later, ours should yet appear to be the false one, before it had even received from truth its objective existence….”

Our example of the Church is not Catholicism, Orthodoxy, or Protestantism which are all later manmade perversions. Christ has told us in Revelations to go back and do our first works over again but today nothing ever go back beyond the fourth-century, but it is there we must look for truth. The first-century fathers had first-hand knowledge of what the Apostles received from the mouth of Christ.

 

[Constantine the Sinner]

In a confrontation with the Gnostics (distinguished by the conviction that matter is evil and that emancipation comes through gnosis i.e. knowledge) of his day, Tertullian (160-230), a gifted Christian writer and apologist, defended his claim of the true Gospel this way,

“I say that my Gospel is the true one; Marcion, that his is. I affirm that Marcion's Gospel is adulterated; Marcion, that mine is. Now what is to settle the point for us, except it be that principle of time, which rules that the authority lies with that which shall be found to be more ancient; and assumes as an elemental truth, that corruption (of doctrine) belongs to the side which shall be convicted of comparative lateness in its origin. For, inasmuch as error is falsification of truth, it must needs be that truth therefore precede error. A thing must exist prior to its suffering any casualty; and an object must precede all rivalry to itself. Else how absurd it would be, that, when we have proved our position to be the older one, and Marcion's the later, ours should yet appear to be the false one, before it had even received from truth its objective existence….”

Our example of the Church is not Catholicism, Orthodoxy, or Protestantism which are all later manmade perversions. Christ has told us in Revelations to go back and do our first works over again but today nothing ever go back beyond the fourth-century, but it is there we must look for truth. The first-century fathers had first-hand knowledge of what the Apostles received from the mouth of Christ.

And they were Orthodox. Christ promised the Spirit of Truth would preserve his Church and guide her. Do you think the Spirit quit for over a thousand years?

 

[Vicomte13]

Well, I don't believe that Scripture conflicts, when understood in the correct context.

A spirit anyway.

Not really. There is only one correct understanding of scripture: The original meaning intended by the Holy Spirit working through human writers.

Ok. But how do you know what the hat correct reading is?

 

[Vicomte13]

In a confrontation with the Gnostics (distinguished by the conviction that matter is evil and that emancipation comes through gnosis i.e. knowledge) of his day, Tertullian (160-230), a gifted Christian writer and apologist, defended his claim of the true Gospel this way,

“I say that my Gospel is the true one; Marcion, that his is. I affirm that Marcion's Gospel is adulterated; Marcion, that mine is. Now what is to settle the point for us, except it be that principle of time, which rules that the authority lies with that which shall be found to be more ancient; and assumes as an elemental truth, that corruption (of doctrine) belongs to the side which shall be convicted of comparative lateness in its origin. For, inasmuch as error is falsification of truth, it must needs be that truth therefore precede error. A thing must exist prior to its suffering any casualty; and an object must precede all rivalry to itself. Else how absurd it would be, that, when we have proved our position to be the older one, and Marcion's the later, ours should yet appear to be the false one, before it had even received from truth its objective existence….”

Our example of the Church is not Catholicism, Orthodoxy, or Protestantism which are all later manmade perversions. Christ has told us in Revelations to go back and do our first works over again but today nothing ever go back beyond the fourth-century, but it is there we must look for truth. The first-century fathers had first-hand knowledge of what the Apostles received from the mouth of Christ.

Tertullian's defense reposes on the bare, and untrue, assertion that older is better. He substitutes age for truth. While that argument certainly warms the heart of any Catholic or Orthodox, and apparently also the Anabaptist, it's not, in fact, a true or inspired argument. It is merely an appeal to tradition and habit, not truth.

 

[SteveIndy]

How can you tell what was corrupt and what was not if it crept in while Jesus was still on the Earth?

Jesus warned (Matt. 7:15), “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” Much of His ministry consisted of confronting the false teaching of the religious leaders of His day (cf. Matt. 16:11-12; 23:1-39). In His discourse on things to come, He warned (Matt. 24:4-5), “See to it that no one misleads you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many.”

Corruption crept in immediately even though the disciples were not aware of it or able to detect it, but it was there. There were some who were going around casting out demons and Jesus advised the Apostles to leave them alone; as long as they were for them they weren't against them. Although the Holy Spirit helps in this regard there are also practical things to look for like "fruit." I hear much on this site that is not Christian in spirit and it is fair to conclude that these people are Christian in word only.

 

[GingerBeer]

Corruption crept in immediately even though the disciples were not aware of it or able to detect it, but it was there. There were some who were going around casting out demons and Jesus advised the Apostles to leave them alone; as long as they were for them they weren't against them. Although the Holy Spirit helps in this regard there are also practical things to look for like "fruit."

What would the fruit be?

Charity, hospitals, shelters for the homeless, orphanages, aged care, and all those sorts of things are characteristic of some of the largest Christian groups but less so for the small ones. Is this fruit?

 

[Vicomte13]

In a confrontation with the Gnostics (distinguished by the conviction that matter is evil and that emancipation comes through gnosis i.e. knowledge) of his day, Tertullian (160-230), a gifted Christian writer and apologist, defended his claim of the true Gospel this way,

“I say that my Gospel is the true one; Marcion, that his is. I affirm that Marcion's Gospel is adulterated; Marcion, that mine is. Now what is to settle the point for us, except it be that principle of time, which rules that the authority lies with that which shall be found to be more ancient; and assumes as an elemental truth, that corruption (of doctrine) belongs to the side which shall be convicted of comparative lateness in its origin. For, inasmuch as error is falsification of truth, it must needs be that truth therefore precede error. A thing must exist prior to its suffering any casualty; and an object must precede all rivalry to itself. Else how absurd it would be, that, when we have proved our position to be the older one, and Marcion's the later, ours should yet appear to be the false one, before it had even received from truth its objective existence….”

Our example of the Church is not Catholicism, Orthodoxy, or Protestantism which are all later manmade perversions. Christ has told us in Revelations to go back and do our first works over again but today nothing ever go back beyond the fourth-century, but it is there we must look for truth. The first-century fathers had first-hand knowledge of what the Apostles received from the mouth of Christ.

The first century apostles and disciples did indeed, and they wrote it down. Everything that they wrote down is included in the Ethiopian canon, especially the Didache, which tells how to run the church

 

[SteveIndy]

And they were Orthodox. Christ promised the Spirit of Truth would preserve his Church and guide her. Do you think the Spirit quit for over a thousand years?

The Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant Churches are all adulterations of the original. Yes, Christ has preserved His Bride but it ain't in no fancy building with people kissing idols, pretending Christ is alive in a wafer, convincing people they are going to Heaven when they are no different than the world around them.It will be just as Christ said it would be, "Very few will enter in" the gate will be too difficult to get through with the load of sin the Churches and their preachers lay on them and will not lift a finger to help them.

 

[SteveIndy]

Tertullian's defense reposes on the bare, and untrue, assertion that older is better. He substitutes age for truth. While that argument certainly warms the heart of any Catholic or Orthodox, and apparently also the Anabaptist, it's not, in fact, a true or inspired argument. It is merely an appeal to tradition and habit, not truth.

What he says is not inspired but it is a fact and everything that comes after is an adulteration of that thing that came first. If you cannot see that then I am afraid argumentation is futile. What came later was interpretation and commentary and later still came flat-out lies of which the Catholic Church is king.

 

[SteveIndy]

What would the fruit be?

Charity, hospitals, shelters for the homeless, orphanages, aged care, and all those sorts of things are characteristic of some of the largest Christian groups but less so for the small ones. Is this fruit?

Purity and righteousness. You don't seriously believe that these things you mention are what our Father is looking for. The Lord doesn't want your pocketbook, He owns the whole world and could have these things multiplied a thousand times over. Christians will give money when what He wants is a broken and contrite spirit. He doesn't want you alive He wants you dead and buried, and until He can get you there you're hopeless. Once you are dead then He will begin giving gifts and you will start bearing fruit. He will give you a lion's heart and a lamb's spirit and through the love of the cross and the bearing of many scars you will produce much fruit. Association with many "Christian" groups is not His concern: no gold embossed nameplates, no buildings with your name on it, no suppers in your honor, and no tax deductions. A broken heart, and that's it. "Unless a seed falls to the ground and dies it remains alone", i.e. no fruit.

 

[Constantine the Sinner]

The Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant Churches are all adulterations of the original. Yes, Christ has preserved His Bride but it ain't in no fancy building with people kissing idols, pretending Christ is alive in a wafer, convincing people they are going to Heaven when they are no different than the world around them.It will be just as Christ said it would be, "Very few will enter in" the gate will be too difficult to get through with the load of sin the Churches and their preachers lay on them and will not lift a finger to help them.

Protestants seem to have no trouble with fancy cars and mansions, but get offended when a house of God is fancy. Hm.

If kissing something makes it an idol, we're all in trouble.

Orthodoxy has confession, upholding a Christian lifestyle is required for communion. We also have plenty of people who live lives much more radical and ascetic and Christian than you do.

 

[Constantine the Sinner]

We also don't use wafers, we use leavened bread, since unleavened bread is an emblem of bondage in the law. And yes, we believe it is Christ, and that we become Christ's literal body in it