Dear Κηφᾶς,
If it was a lie, then of course ;) - but as every wife will tell you, her husband has eyes only for her ;D (or only has one eye?? ???)
A little personal 'economy'??
Anglian
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Κηφᾶς is surely correct in what he says?
Although the Church is guided by the Holy Spirit, it is inhabited by sinners, and why are we surprised that from time to time there are problems - or that newspapers exaggera…
[quote author=Biscutt link=topic=5461.msg76750#msg76750 date=1189554642]
1. What advice would you give for someone who is engaged?
2. And what advice would you give for someone who is married?
3. What things should you NOT/NEVER do once u are…
Dear QT,
Spot on. They blow people up to show what their vision of God is - we love them to show what our vision is. Then they go wondering why they get a bad name? Of course, there are many millions of Muslims who don't hold with extremism - it is…
I'm rather with smile4ever on this one; of course there are some cultural influences which you might call Islamic, but they go back further than Islam in many cases.
Beard and a hijab eh? Must be that extremist in Pakistan who tried to escape disgu…
Dear Thomas,
Many thanks for pointing out that I did say that He wanted us to repent; I was merely pointing out that He does not say we must be a bunch of miserable puritans.
Of course, if we have a Christian understanding of life then we will do…
We should not be frightened to enjoy ourselves - Christ did not go about with a long face telling people not to laugh or have pleasure.
He did call on us to repent of our sins, and that was for a very good reason; not only does sin lead to a loss o…
Dear QT,
Absolutely nothing you can say to this chap will convince him - you are speaking not only different earthly languages, but two different theological ones.
Protestants of some hues believe that they are 'saved' when they confess the name o…
Dear Orthodox11,
All of what you say I agree with, but none of it explains the differences in attitude which were mentioned previously. One can maintain one's ecclesiology without giving needless offence or appearing to be exclusivist - as the beha…
Dear PopeKyrillos,
I guess the answer to why we receive them but not vice versa is that we remember His injunction to love even those who hate us; they obviously consider the canons of their Church as having greater weight than that command.
In Ch…
Dear Orthodox11,
I have the deepest respect for you and the very highest regard for what you say, but it is hard to see any meaning beyond a purely semantic one in stating that the Athonite Monks are not against dialogue given their reading of thei…
Dear Κηφᾶς,
Oh, not so hard at all in some quarters - usually those where it is held that we can all find what we need in the Bible by the light of our own illumination. Once we have decided to create a God in our image, we can do most anything - i…
Dear Shenouda,
We are all so weak - that is why we need His help if we are to achieve salvation. But we are so weak that even with that help, we slide back - like a dog to its vomit as it says in the Bible. So Christ knows us well, and He knows we …
[quote author=Κηφᾶς link=topic=5725.msg76454#msg76454 date=1188921613]
[coptic]+ Iryny nem `hmot>[/coptic]
I'm referring to the ability to speak another language without prior knowledge (as was the case with the Apostles) a gift of the Holy Spir…
I am reminded of the words of St. Isaac of Nineveh:
Never say that God is just. If he were just you would be in hell. Rely only on His injustice which is mercy, love and forgiveness.
Kyrie Eleison,
Anglian
Dear Mahraeel,
Why would God want robots? If we had not choice but to love Him we would, effectively, be robots.
He is our Heavenly Father, we are His children, and He loves us; we have the choice to love Him back; but that word choice is the cruc…
When Kyle writes:
I do debate religion a lot.. But one thing I have noticed, is that
1. 75% of the topics are literally the same thing over and over
2. No one will change their mind, no matter what
he makes an important point.
What is also signifi…
Dear Safaa,
My understanding would be the same as that of Orthodox11; but like you, I wonder whether this is what the Coptic Orthodox Church holds. The language of 'energies' and 'essence' is not one that I have come across within our Church, altho…
Dear Κηφᾶς,
Thank you; that is extremely helpful.
It is clear that HH is condemning the notion that we can partake of God's essence; I am told the Mormons preach that we can become Gods; but then since they are not Christians in any orthodox sense…
Dear Gregory,
It means that some prominent theologians and historians have agreed, and that the hierarchies in both Churches should be pressing forward; but, of course, you don't deal with 1600 years separation with a few meetings, so there is stil…
Dear Thomas,
Enormously helpful, thank you very much for this reference, which certainly confirms Orthodox teaching on theosis.
Certainly we would all condemn the idea that man could be united with the Godhead - we are sons 'by adoption' only; but…
Dear Orthodox11,
As far as I can see you are spot on.
My reading of what the Pope is saying is that he is condemning the notion that we can be united with the essence of the Divine, which is, as you say, heretical; but I am unsure who is arguing t…
Dear Orthodox11,
Thank you, another interesting example. It would seem as though toll houses are held to be there by some, and not by others; but we do well to heed your comments that it is how we are in this life with God that really matters, and …
If other religions teach peace, love and understanding, then there is something in them of the love of God, whether they know Christ or not; these can live with us.
Those religions which cannot live peacefully with Christianity are by that very fac…
We do not recognise the government appointed 'patriarch' who was not canonically appointed, and we pray for the rightful Patriarch Abba Antonius.
In February the Metropolitan of the British Orthodox Church, Abba Seraphim, issued the following state…
Dear Thomas,
of course it is frustrating at times, but all of our senses come from Him, and all of them must be used in His service; that does not mean that we have to understand everything, because we obviously cannot comprehend the Incomprehensib…
Dear Orthodox11,
Thank you for your kindness in responding so carefully, and I think that we are not in disagreement in substance.
I suspect I just see more complexities in your statementWhat I did say was that they're only Christian to the extent…
It is with extreme reluctance that I risk finding myself disagreeing with Κηφᾶς and Orthodox11, not least because if we are in disagreement, I have a feeling they are more likely to be getting it right! But perhaps I can essay a few lines to see if …