www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology Unsure what Church is right

Bit of background: I was born Lutheran, converted to Catholicism in my twenties and ten years later converted to Orthodoxy. I really felt called to Orthodoxy in multiple ways, and I found the theology was more accurate, so to speak.

Lately, I've been experiencing a bit of a crisis of faith. It's not new for me, I've had times like these before, but this time it's especially strong. I'm not sure what I am called to. I'm trying to express something that is hard to express. And I know, I should talk to my priest, but I'm asking you guys for now.

One thing that convinced me Orthodoxy was right was the contradictions in Catholic theology. Just one example: the Catechism and Church both now teach that Adam's personal guilt doesn't transmit to us, just the effects. If you look the subject up you'll find apologists saying "oh the Church never taught we share personal guilt with Adam." Except, it did. From the Catechism of the Council of Trent:

"If the knowledge of what has been hitherto explained be, as it is, of highest importance to the faithful, it is no less important to them to learn that the law of Baptism, as established by our Lord, extends to all, so that unless they are regenerated to God through the grace of Baptism, be their parents Christians or infidels, they are born to eternal misery and destruction. Pastors, therefore, should often explain these words of the Gospel: Unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

"That this law extends not only to adults but also to infants and children, and that the Church has received this from Apostolic tradition, is confirmed by the unanimous teaching and authority of the Fathers."

If that's not personal guilt, I'm at a loss to describe what it is.

But, I also recognize problems in Orthodox ecclesiology. Solovyov/Soloviev really sets it out nicely but I'm also thinking of critiques from people like Likoudis. The 'anarchy' of Orthodoxy, the nationalist focus and schisms and so on are just too chaotic.

So finally, what I'm left with isn't Catholicism or Orthodoxy, nor is it protestantism. I'm left with nothing but a belief that Jesus' ethic is right, and that there is some force that fits the bill as God. The above quote from Trent I find so disturbing and frankly abhorrent that it alone makes me question Christianity. So does the genocide of the Canaanites. But I feel like I could deal with those if I just knew which Church was right. And as it is, I don't feel either is right.

Sorry for the long post but I've been dying to get this off my chest. Any advice would be appreciated.

Christ is in our midst!!
SeekingTruth,

Welcome to the froum.


Bob
Moderator

Dear SeekingTruth,

If I may, I believe that "the truth" is only to be found in Our Lord, God and Saviour Jesus Christ - as I'm sure you will agree. With respect to dogma and which Church is right - there are issues and problems in both East and West in terms of the Apostolic Churches. In every age and generation, the Church expresses its faith in ways to meet the challenges of the times in which she lives. Trent did that in responding to the challenges of the Protestant Reformation. Although the Protestant reformers appealed to the sources of Apostolic Christanity, they wound up jettisoning much of the Apostolic Tradition, even leading to the idea of personal interpretation of Scripture or Sola Scriptura which, in and of itself, is NOT a scriptural doctrine. Nor is "faith alone" - the only time that term is used is in the Epistle of James where it is used to debunk it. No wonder Martin Luther claimed it was an "epistle of straw."

The essentials of the Apostolic Faith remain in both the Catholic and Orthodox Churches, including the Oriental Churches and, I will say, among the "High Church" parts of the Anglican and Lutheran heritage. As for our own ability to believe - that is not a function of our own weak reasoning powers but of the transforming power of Divine Grace. We are save through a living relationship with God the All-Holy Trinity via a deep and unceasing prayer life, the reception of the saramental mysteries especially the Holy Eucharist, spiritual reading, fasting etc. These are the means of acquiring Divine Grace from which all flows in our lives. The unceasing invocation of the Name of Jesus Christ in the Prayer of Jesus should be our constant occupation, as you know. Without it, we are unable to see the Light and experience it, even when IT presents itself before us. Your feelings come from God, Friend, He is showing you that the time for your own reasoning has come to an end and that now is the time for you to lift yourself up and focus on living Communion with Himself. In THAT you will find what you are looking for!

I read here only "they are born to eternal misery and destruction," the Catechism's words. Those words alone, in no objective reading, equate with, nor do they infer, "share personal guilt with Adam," your words.

First of all, it is to your credit that you ardently "seek the truth". We live in a world of increasing materialism, and most seek possessions, money and notoriety. I believe you are already positioned to receive spiritual blessings. And remember, our Lord assures us that he who seeks, will find and the door will be opened to him. So, do not be despondent.

Now, when I experience a bit of an inner crisis of faith, I try to get back to basics...real basics. I remind myself that ever since man has had the ability to think and consider important things, he has developed a myriad of beliefs, rituals and religions- all of this to try to feel a belonging to something greater than himself....all of this to try to find God. And all of this falls short in some way.

And then, I remind myself that Christianity is about a God so caring and loving that He looks down with pity at his creation and decides, in time,  to come to us. His very own idea of Himself and how His creation should live, He decides to share with us. His Word becomes flesh and dwells with us. We no longer have to guess, we no longer have to invent formulae to find Him.

One of His teachings is the act Baptism, and He shows us how this is done. At His baptism the heavens are opened and His ministry begins. So to for us, Baptism is the washing away of the old and a robing in a new spiritual life and awareness. 

As to the specifics of guilt and sin, I am not a theologian or even close to one. The preceding comments from both "Orthodox Catholic" and "ajk" are excellent points for you to consider. 

In my sporatic crisis moments, I try to remind myself to view the coming of the Word as a new today and tomorrow for the world, not just an eraser of yesterday. Yes there is atonement, but that too, He has taken care of.

There is a Gospel verse that I think expresses this well, and teaches us not to dwell on negative cause but positive opportunity. It is John 9 1-5. It seems quite appropriate. 

And even though I belong to a tradition and a rite that I love , I try to not let specifics overcome basics.

I wish the best for you.