www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology Western doctrine as acceptable "theologumenon?"

Job,

Thanks for posting the confession of faith.

It is, though, a bit ironic given its nature as a denial and rejection of "beliefs" (which really demand further clarification) to refer to it as a "Confession of Faith"...

Well, for starters, by the teachings of the Photian councils that are considered by many to be ecumenical (including Rome for awhile), but which are considered by all to be binding. Ditto the Palamite councils.

Then, there are also things already in the service books for Roman Catholics to renounce when entering the Orthodox Church. Lex ordandi lex credendi.

Grace and peace,
Sbn John

Well, a person couldn't logically believe in Papal infallibility and yet not be in communion with the Pope without being a hypocrite, and so that alone would prevent an Orthodox Christian from believing in it.

Besides, that, however, there are a number of Orthodox saints who have written on the issue.

In Christ,
Sbn John

"Well, a person couldn't logically believe in Papal infallibility and yet not be in communion with the Pope without being a hypocrite, and so that alone would prevent an Orthodox Christian from believing in it."

Of course one could.

Not that I do, actually. And I am in communion with Rome. I just happen to think Rome is not right on this, which is, in a perverse way, proof that the Pope is not infallible.

If you believe that the pope is infallible, it would follow logically that you seek communion with him and not stay in communion with a group of people who say that he isn't.

Sbn John

"If you believe that the pope is infallible, it would follow logically that you seek communion with him and not stay in communion with a group of people who say that he isn't."

Why, if it is merely your private belief? And, as I said, it's mostly academic, anyway.

Subdeacon John,

Do you have any links or references that you can provide here, especially as to Rome's temporary reception of the Photian councils?

I'm also curious about the texts of the Palamite councils.

God bless!

Also, I will point out that the Palamite Councils have in no way been received universally as ecumenical.

I guess that depends upon how you define the word "universally" in your post.

What do the Photian councils have to say that would indicate Catholics are in a state of heresy?

Do those include all of the distinctively Roman doctrines?

It doesn't really matter, since Rome has accepted that Palamism is not heretical, and does not deny it; and Rome has also pretty much accepted everything incorporated in the decrees of the Second Photian Synod of 879-880.

I wonder how much Orthodox opposition to the Catholic Church is due to not really knowing what the Catholic Church teaches, since most Orthodox polemics seem mired sometime between 1565 and 1871.

Only that it is extremely rare among the Orthodox to hear that there were any ecumenical councils beyond the first seven.

"Only that it is extremely rare among the Orthodox to hear that there were any ecumenical councils beyond the first seven"

In fact, the Orthodox representatives at Ravenna were most insistent that there were not.