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| bio | website | |
|---|---|---|
| location | Chicagoland | |
| age | ||
| visits | member for | 1 year, 4 months |
| seen | yesterday | |
| stats | profile views | 55 |
g33k, orthodox, musician, etc.
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Jul 18 |
comment |
Are there any conditions which make oneself completely unredeemable in the eyes of God? The underlying assumption here is a decisional theology. That is, it wouldn't be fair to send someone to hell that hasn't had the opportunity to choose God. But what if that's not a choice we can make (I'm playing devil's advocate here)? |
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Jul 16 |
comment |
How do you explain the Christian Message to people who have no Christian vocabulary or context? Thanks @AffableGeek . I actually up-voted your answer ;) In my mind, you answered the question. I said that I won't answer the question. So by SE standards, your answer is correct :P |
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Jul 15 |
comment |
Does God change? What about God's declaration to Jeremiah in chapter 18? "If at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom, that I will pluck up and break down and destroy it, and if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I intended to do to it. And if at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom that I will build and plant it, and if it does evil in my sight, not listening to my voice, then I will relent of the good that I had intended to do to it" (Jeremiah 18:7-10, ESV). |
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Jul 15 |
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How do you explain the Christian Message to people who have no Christian vocabulary or context? I don't believe I understand your last comment.... |
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Jul 15 |
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How do you explain the Christian Message to people who have no Christian vocabulary or context? Yes and no. Indeed God gave us a message simple enough we could understand it, and yet complex enough that we will spend an eternity meditating on it. |
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Jul 15 |
answered | How do you explain the Christian Message to people who have no Christian vocabulary or context? |
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Jul 11 |
comment |
What makes a Council's conclusions authoritative? GREAT response. +1 |
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Jul 11 |
revised |
What makes a Council's conclusions authoritative? spelling of 'Irenaeus' |
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Jul 9 |
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What is “heresy”? But different groups draw different lines in the sand. Some place everything in the dogma basket, while others place a lot more in the adiaphora basket. |
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Jul 9 |
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What is “heresy”? The reality is that heresy implies orthodoxy. The word orthodox comes from two Greek words: ὀρθός meaning 'straight' and δόξα meaning 'glory/praise' or 'belief.' In order to declare someone as a heretic, there must first be an agreed upon standard (although Eastern Christians generally emphasize the 'glory/praise' definition, while Western Christians emphasize doctrinal beliefs). I don't think disagreements on most issues constitute the charge of heresy. I would think anything that challenges the content of the Nicene Creed would qualify, though.... |
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Jul 9 |
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What is “heresy”? No, that was my original definition here: meta.hermeneutics.stackexchange.com/a/267/423 |
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Jul 9 |
answered | What is “heresy”? |
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Jul 7 |
comment |
What are the defining qualities for a Christian band/singer/songwriter? I'd say there are some underlying worldview beliefs that would first have to be addressed. Is there even a true distinction between sacred and secular? What makes Christian music Christian? I'd bet that even if we could agree on a definition, most of what is called Christian music these days wouldn't pass. There are Christians who are musicians, and there are Christian musicians. And what about instrumental music? Many churches don't play the "Treulich geführt" (Bridal Chorus) because of the pagan elements of the Lohengrin opera for which it was written, for instance. |
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Jul 5 |
awarded | Revival |
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Jul 5 |
comment |
How can common believers in the Eastern Orthodox Church be sure that the Church's decisions are correct and not erroneous? My point was simply to offer a response that most Orthodox would accept - they trust that the Spirit has guided them into truth. This doesn't mean that the ride has been free from turbulence. Even the Jerusalem council resulted due to conflict. Anywhere sinful people are involved you will have problems. But looking back over the last 2,000 years, one can see a remarkable thread of unity. The Orthodox trust that God has kept His promise. |
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Jul 5 |
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How can common believers in the Eastern Orthodox Church be sure that the Church's decisions are correct and not erroneous? But I don't think we can doubt an entire movement based on its outliers. If that were the case we'd have to doubt much of Protestantism with its division. I do not doubt that Western Christians are indeed genuine followers of Jesus, nor do I doubt that Eastern churches are. |
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Jul 5 |
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How can common believers in the Eastern Orthodox Church be sure that the Church's decisions are correct and not erroneous? It was my understanding that they now peacefully coexisted in Russian Orthodox churches. Much of the violence was in the 17th century. I haven't studied this in depth so I apologize for being mistaken. |
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Jul 5 |
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How can common believers in the Eastern Orthodox Church be sure that the Church's decisions are correct and not erroneous? My answer still stands: the Holy Spirit has promised to guide the Church into all truth. For the record, I am not Orthodox. But I do identify with a lot of Eastern thought and respect many Orthodox beliefs and practices. |
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Jul 5 |
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How can common believers in the Eastern Orthodox Church be sure that the Church's decisions are correct and not erroneous? There is certainly disunity, but the Raskol are generally still considered Orthodox, not a separate denomination/organization. The same is true of non-Chalcedonian Orthodox. Despite differences, they are still united, they are still Orthodox. I agree that the scriptures contain all that is necessary for life and salvation. I simply don't agree that anyone approaches them in a truly objective manner free from bias, nor do I believe that they are truly the sole norm and authority for any Protestant. If not guided by history, then they are generally guided by whatever ideology is prevalent. |
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Jul 5 |
answered | How can common believers in the Eastern Orthodox Church be sure that the Church's decisions are correct and not erroneous? |
