Of the older traditions, I tend to identify Eastern Orthodox as more christlike, that being their teachings are based on the teachings of Christ from the gospel more emphatically. The protestant teachings that tend to take after the catholic way and whatever criticism you have of "them" is really a criticism of the catholic way.
I almost spit my coffee all over my monitor when I read this! You have GOT to be kidding! The difference between the Eastern Orthodox and Catholic Churches is so small you could put it in a thimble and have room for a Mack truck! Same seven Sacraments and the same understanding of them. Outside of the issue of the authority of the papacy, the same hierarchical structure.
Criticisms of the Protestants: (these things are NOT found in Catholicism) Worship of the Bible over Christ. Sola Scriptura (which is not found in the scriptura!) Salvation by "making a decision for Jaaaaaayzuz." Prohibitions on drinking wine, going to movies (the more uber Fundamentalists) long hair on men, etc. Lack of the Sacraments, which God gave to us to unite us to Him. Lack of any defined and single authority to speak on behalf of God. (30,000 voices all speaking something different is chaos) Lack of unity with other Christians. Supporting immorality (liberal Protestantism) Worship which glorifies the man in the pulpit rather than the Christ on the altar. Utter contempt for the saints and the Mother of God..
I could probably find more.
What I'm talking about is, a way that's closer to "the way" that doesn't turn the worship of God into a means to empower the beast, and the dragon that gives it its power.
Bunkum! You have been reading too many Chick tracts.
The main element of the catholic church that is not christ like is that Jesus taught that servants are the greatest, the catholic church uses the romanist structure of greatness and government turning christ's teaching on it's head, thus becoming worldly.
What utter hogwash! All through the Bible you see authority structures. Do you think that Moses lacked authority? Look at what happened to those who opposed him. David was set up as king, not servant. Just because someone has authority, it does not mean that they cannot be a servant to others. That is, in fact, the responsibility of those in power, to use their power to serve and protect those under them.
a historical element is that the popes are much like the kings of Israel, they were permissible but also acknowledged as an act of rebellion because Christ is our king, the reformation that occurred after the Pope dominancy era and the babylonian division and such that we see today, illustrates prophetically, that popes are still an act of rebellion, God works through it as he did through the kings of Israel and Judah, but as nice as Francis is .. he's not my king, Jesus is.
When a king leaves his kingdom, he does not leave it without a guiding authority in his stead. Following the principles of kingdom, Jesus has appointed the office of the papacy to rule in his stead. You are in rebellion against that office, and shall answer for your rebellion. Kings do not take it lightly when those whom they have appointed to rule in their absence are insulted and ignored.
The monopolistic idea of catholic worship through the sacraments is giving like the world gives ... and Jesus does not give as the world gives. He said, let the little children come unto me.
You have no idea what you are talking about. (Which is typical of most Protestants). The Sacraments are at the heart of covenant making. The word Sacrament comes from the Latin word "sacramentum," which means "oath." One enters into a covenant relationship by the making of self-maledictory sacramentum (oaths). Oaths and sanctions are a profound part of covenant making. There is no such thing in Evangelicalism, which shows it to be a false religion. Jesus established a New Covenant, therefore, anyone who wishes to follow Him must enter into that covenant by the principles of a covenant. Making a "decision for Jaaaaayzuz" does not qualify at all.
If Jesus established the New Covenant in His Blood, and you have not entered that covenant by the means that He set out in covenant principles, and are not obedient to the covenant headship which He appointed to rule in His absence, how can you say you are being an obedient Christian?
But the protestant apple did not fall far from the catholic tree of the knowledge of good and evil, most of them became microcosms of the catholic church right down to the "one pastor" model of churches.
Thus the reason for this thread, protesting protestantism, because Jesus just isn't glorified enough.
