Archive for April, 2009
The Orthodox branch of Christianity is little understood by most American born-again Evangelicals. Do you think it is right to "witness" to Orthodox Christians when if fact this historic church has its roots planted in the time of Christ and the Apostles?
The Eastern Orthodox Church is the second largest single Christian communion in the world with an estimated 300 million members worldwide. It is considered by its adherents to be the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church established by Jesus Christ and his Apostles nearly 2000 years ago. The Church is composed of numerous self-governing ecclessial bodies, each geographically and nationally distinct but theologically and sacramentally unified. Each self-governing (or autocephalous) body is shepherded by a Synod of independent bishops whose duty is, among other things, to preserve and teach the Apostolic and patristic traditions and related Church practices. All Orthodox bishops trace their lineage back to one of the twelve Apostles through the process of Apostolic Succession.
Eastern Orthodoxy traces its history back to the Hellenized eastern portion of the Roman Empire, especially Constantinople or New Rome (now Istanbul). It shares the first ecumenical councils, concerning the Trinity and the Nicene Creed, with nearly all other Christians. After the Western Roman Empire fell, East and West slowly grew more separate. Meanwhile, internal schisms and the advance of Islam reduced Eastern Orthodox territory, but the faith spread to the Slavs to the north (including the Russians). Eastern Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism split in 1054 over theological issues concerning Western additions to the creed (the filioque clause) as well as the issue of Roman primacy. Later in 1204 Constantinople was sacked by crusaders enlarging the rift between the two. Reunification was attempted during two councils but they were rejected by the Eastern Orthodox people, being considered "robber councils". After Constantinople fell to the Ottoman Turks in 1453, the Russian Orthodox Church became more powerful.
Efforts are under way to heal the division that since the Council of Chalcedon (451) exists between them and Oriental Orthodoxy in connection with the proper way to speak of the two natures (one human and one divine) of Christ. They use the Nicene Creed as endorsed at the First Council of Constantinople (381), and reject the Western addition to it of "Filioque", and the many additions used by the Armenian Apostolic Church in the East. They celebrate the same sacraments (called sacred mysteries) as in the other ancient Christian Churches, but have some differences in theology and many differences in practice. They teach the doctrine of theosis (deification), by which Christ makes it possible to partake of the divine, a teaching less prominent in the Western Church. Their Bible is close to that of the Roman Catholic Church: it includes the Deuterocanonical Books, which are generally rejected by Protestants, and a few texts that are not in the Western canon. Eastern Orthodox icons also reflect an ancient opposition to statuary. Most Eastern Orthodox Churches are members of the World Council of Churches, which includes most Protestants, but not Roman Catholics.
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April 29 2009 | Uncategorized | 6 Comments »
I thought that most Catholics are pro-life. So how can a Catholic vote for and support a president who is ratically pro-abortion?
I don't know how ANY Christian can vote Democratic
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April 29 2009 | Catholic | 20 Comments »
It says on wikipedia that spongebob is an icon for gay men, but how is he? Does anyone know?
SpongeBob is seen as an icon for adult gay men in the US, apparently because he regularly holds hands with his sidekick Patrick.
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April 29 2009 | Icon | 10 Comments »
I am sure most of you are familiar with the part where God condoned incest between Lot and his daughters.
I am personally against incest. But I pointed the question out because it is a valid argument from the Biblical perspective.
Please quote Bible passages or verses to support your answer if you say it is a sin. In other words, don't make assumptions.
Lot was a just and righteous man.
And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) 2 Peter 2:7-8
He was the only man that God saved from the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.
…the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city. Genesis 19:15
He got drunk and impregnated his virgin daughters.
Come, let us make our father drink wine, and we will lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father. And they made their father drink wine that night: and the firstborn went in, and lay with her father; and he perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose. Behold, I lay yesternight with my father: let us make him drink wine this night also; and go thou in, and lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father. And they made their father drink wine that night also: and the younger arose, and lay with him; and he perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose. Thus were both the daughters of Lot with child by their father. Genesis 19:32-36
Yet elsewhere incest is condemned.
None of you shall approach to any that is near of kin to him, to uncover their nakedness. Leviticus 18:6
And, at least in some cases, is punishable by death.
And the man that lieth with his father's wife hath uncovered his father's nakedness: both of them shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them. Leviticus 20:11
And if a man lie with his daughter in law, both of them shall surely be put to death: they have wrought confusion; their blood shall be upon them. Leviticus 20:12
And if a man take a wife and her mother, it is wickedness: they shall be burnt with fire, both he and they; that there be no wickedness among you. — Leviticus 20:14
Go figure.
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April 27 2009 | Bible | 5 Comments »
Do most Orthodox Jews know how to read Hebrew well and understand it when its spoken? Are all the services in Orthodox synagogues usually conducted in Hebrew? If you don't know how to read Hebrew will you be completely lost?
I'm in America by the way, and I've never been to an Orthodox synagogue yet, I want to go to one but since I was raised very secular I'm afraid I'll be "out of place" for quite awhile.
From my experience most orthodox synagogues will do a fair amount if not all of their set prayers in Hebrew. The synagogue sermon will be in english, but things like the shema, amida which form part of prescribed dailey prayers will most likely be in hebrew.
If your not used to at least parts of synagogue services being conducted in hebrew then it will feel strange at first. I have jewish heritage but i formally converted and i remember going to a reform synagogue and just being completely confused as to why some of it was in hebrew and some in english.
In my experience most orthodox synagogues like it when non religious jews want to become more religious so you should find the atmosphere welcoming at least and if you explain you dont speak hebrew someone should be able to show you what pages to turn to – what it all means etc
. It will be confusing, but remember most orthodox jews have grown up learning hebrew and aramaic so dont feel bad…
really – youll be fine
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April 27 2009 | Uncategorized | 11 Comments »
I don't have a really low voice. My range is about from a low B to about who knows what[really high]. If there's no great christian songs to sing would Jesse McCartney's Beautiful Soul be a good idea to sing. Any suggestions?
If christian songs aren't the way to go then how about any good soft rock songs slow or fast esp. slow but for guys.
This one is the best if you want a religious song…xD
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VqRlO3wa1A
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April 27 2009 | Christian | 5 Comments »
So. My friend basically says 'I don't think there's a God if there's so much dying and killing, people starving, deliberately hurting each other, wars and such' . My question is that has there been any response or something in the bible or from religious figures on this (that why is there so much disarray in the world when supposedly a god is present)? Any opinions is welcome and encouraged.
Excuse me, this is NOT for homework, but this is for personal discussion. It stemmed out of curiosity and I am not well-versed when it comes to any religious documents, the bible, and such. kthx.
another thing he asks: "How come no one (He) has not intervened, like in the Holocaust or WWI?"
Jesus explicitly answered these in at least 4 separate teachings. You should not let your friend make you do their homework !!
Besides the basic fact that God took on human nature and deeply entered that suffering Himself !!! there is the following (a sampling )
DIVES and LAZARUS
There was a certain rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen; and feasted sumptuously every day. And there was a certain beggar, named Lazarus, who lay at his gate, full of sores, Desiring to be filled with the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table, and no one did give him; moreover the dogs came, and licked his sores.
And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom. And the rich man also died: and he was buried in hell. And lifting up his eyes when he was in torments, he saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom:
And he cried, and said: Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, to cool my tongue: for I am tormented in this flame.
And Abraham said to him: Son, remember that thou didst receive good things in thy lifetime, and likewise Lazareth evil things, but now he is comforted; and thou art tormented.
THE REPORT OF GALILEEN ATROCITIES
1 Now on the same occasion there were some present who reported to Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 And Jesus said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were greater sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered this fate? 3 “I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 4 “Or do you suppose that those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them were worse culprits than all the men who live in Jerusalem? 5 “I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”
The whole book of JOB too
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April 25 2009 | Bible | 9 Comments »
Someone recently told me about an Orthodox Christian seminary or theological school in the Vatican. Does anyone know the name of it, or have any more information on it?
My research shows no Orthodox seminary at the Vatican.
http://orthodoxwiki.org/Seminaries_and_Theological_Schools
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April 25 2009 | Uncategorized | 2 Comments »
I used to be a catholic and now I am a protestant, but my boyfriend is still catholic and we are unsure what the book of the canon law really is? would someone please help us? Thank you!
Canon Law is the ecclesiastical, or church, law of the Catholic Church. Catholic ecclesiastical law is a fully developed legal system, with all the necessary elements: courts, lawyers, judges, precedent, a fully articulated legal code and principles of legal interpretation.
In the Catholic church, the canons of the councils were gathered together into collections as early as 1234 C.E.
Much of the jurisprudential style was adapted from the Roman Law code of Justinian. As a result, courts in the Catholic Church tend to follow the Roman Law style of the continent of Europe, featuring collegiate panels of judges, a somewhat neutral presumption before verdict, and an investigative form of proceeding, called "inquisitorial", from the Latin "inquirere", to enquire.
This is in contrast to the adversarial form of proceeding found in the Common Law jurisdictions of British and American law, which feature juries, single, neutral judges, etc.
In the 13th century, the Catholic Church began attempting to collect and organize canon law, which after a millennium of development had become a complex and difficult system of interpretation and cross-referencing.
The 1917 Code of Canon Law (Codex Iuris Canonici or CIC) was actually the first instance of a new code completely re-written in a systematic fashion, reduced to a single book or "codex" for ease of use. It took effect in November 1918.
After the sweeping reforms of the Second Vatican Council so much had changed in the Church that the council fathers wrote into the documents that the code be completely revised. After decades of discussion and numerous drafts, the project was nearly complete upon the death of Paul VI in 1978. Later that year when John Paul II had become pope, he brought further major changes to the code. The new revision, (CIC 1982) took effect in 1983.
Pope John Paul II promulgated the revised and presently binding Code of Canon Law for all of the world's 1.2 billion Catholics, with exception of the Eastern Catholic Churches.
These Eastern Rites within the Catholic Church have a separate Code of Canon Law, called the CCEO (Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches) incorporating certain differences in the hierarchical, administrative and judicial fora.
The Code of Canon Law: http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/_INDEX.HTM
With love in Christ.
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April 25 2009 | Catholic | 9 Comments »
In leviticus, the third book of the bible, which was written by moses, AFTER God gave him the ten commandments, it explicitly says than gay men should be put to death as well as anyone who sleeps with a woman and her mother, as well as for several other reasons. I am NOT an atheist, just a confused kid that would like a knowledgeable christian to help me understand. Thanx!
If you are a Christian, then you've found one more reason not to follow christianity.
Email me for more
=D
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April 23 2009 | Bible | 15 Comments »
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