Ecumenism Awareness Film PT 1 OF 8

Against Ecumenism

http://www.orthodox.net/articles/against-ecumenism.html



This verse clearly and directly states that Christians must stay together, speaking, thinking and believing the same things. Orthodoxy, which has held the Christian faithful together in one divine body for two millennia, is the perfect fulfillment of these instructions. In the Orthodox Church, the faithful conform their minds and will to the sacred teachings of the faith, and this brings perfect spiritual unity.

A fatal heresy, increasing in prevalence today, directly counters these instructions that St. Paul commands us to follow. This heresy appears not to divide the church, but rather unite it; it appears to be loving, accepting and good. But this is not the case - what it really does is undermine the foundations of the Church and tear it apart internally, allowing for innovations and changes in traditions and practice, putting physical unity above truth, and preparing for the antichrist. It is the heresy of ecumenism, a terrible and false teaching as deceitful and destructive as a wolf in sheep's clothing. Rather than attacking the Church though the open teaching of heresy, as did Arianism, Monophysitism and Iconoclasm, ecumenism poses a different and even more terrible assault to the church; it gathers power and a following while still appearing to remain in the bounds of the Church and adhere to her traditional dogmas. In accepting all beliefs, ecumenism divides the church, as we cannot be perfectly of one mind with those who believe false heresies ad have false ways of life.

The above verse from Corinthians explicitly teaches against the heresy of ecumenism and is an unshakable defense against it. We are told here to be not only of one body, which the ecumenists strive for by trying to bring all religions into communion with one another, but also to "be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgement." This means that we must think and believe the same way. Ecumenism attempts to join everyone together into one body, while their minds, their beliefs, and their practices remain dissimilar and contradictory. This is not unity! How can there be one body but different minds? This is impossible! Colossians 1:18 states, "And he is the head of the body, the church." In order to belong to this body of which Christ is the head, we must be of one body, believing the same things. For as a head cannot have multiple bodies, so we cannot differ in beliefs yet belong to the same head. Ecumenism tries to make one church, but yet it does not truly unite. It turns a blind eye to differences in fath, belief, doctrine, and practice, as if these things do not matter. On the contrary, these things are of the utmost importance! These things are the very basis and foundation of our lives; they are the Church. If we cast these things aside, what is left? All that is left is a shallow, hollow shell of what was formerly the fullness of the Church. If we cast these things aside, we are casting aside our own salvation.

It simply does not work to bring everything down to the lowest common denominator and say that the only criteria for being a Christian is that we all believe that Jesus is the Son of God. Or some will even go so far as to say that, if even this is not true of everyone, at least everyone believes in a god, and that's enough - it doesn't matter that some do not even believe in the Christian God. It is fine for Christians and Moslems and Jews and pagans all to join together; the important thing is simply that we all love each other. The differences do not matter; only the similarities. So the ecumenists argue. But this is not true! This is not the apostolic teaching. This is not the true faith. This is ecumenism! The apostles taught us to be of one mind and one body by believing, speaking, and doing all the same things that have been handed down to us ever since the first followers of Christ. We must be completely united in all our beliefs, being perfectly joined together in the same mind and judgement. To reduce the requirements for being a Christian to a mere statement of faith in a god, thus minimalizing Christianity, severs this unity that we are commanded to abide by.......


To be continued...here:
http://www.orthodox.net/articles/against-ecumenism.html

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[Fetrovsky]

@mishakol129

6. Liturgical modifications and renovations are pretty much a fact of the Church. The Truth cannot change, the Teachings do not change. What changes is the means to evangelize and to make those Truths reach the people more effectively; that is, the "Pastoral" sense of the Church. This is why many "Traditional" Catholics reject the newest council, Vatican II, which introduced many Pastoral changes.

As I said, two differences: Papal infallibility and the "filioque" clause.

[Fetrovsky]

@mishakol129

4. Quoting from the Catechism: 1390 Since Christ is sacramentally present under each of the species, communion under the species of bread alone makes it possible to receive all the fruit of Eucharistic grace [...] But "the sign of communion is more complete when given under both kinds, since in that form the sign of the Eucharistic meal appears more clearly." This is the usual form of receiving communion in the Eastern rites.

[Fetrovsky]

@mishakol129

3. Do you reject the Immaculate Conception of Mary and her role as Co-Redemptrix? Are you like Protestants that see her as a vessel that was used to bear Jesus into this world and then thrown away as unimportant? Do you pray "sub tuum presidium"? "Ave Maria"? "Salve Regina"? The Holy Rosary? Do you still call her Theotokos as you used to?

[Fetrovsky]

@mishakol129 Thanks, let me go through each one of them. But first let me assure you that, being separate from the Catholic Church, you have missed participating in and benefiting from numerous ecumenical councils.

1. Papal infallibility was proclaimed solemnly in the Vatican Council I. You of course do not accept it because you do not recognize the council and also it puts into question your whole position of rejecting the Papacy.

2. Rationalistic approach to Theology. It is a tautology.

[mishakol129]

@MysticalCity No, the RCC added the heresies of the Filioque which is heresy.

[MysticalCity]

@Fetrovsky true,The Catholic Church was started by The second Person of The Holy Trinity upon Saint Peter, a little more then a 1000 years later, some people did not like listening to The Pope and became known as the orthodox, they split away from us rejecting papal authority, they are schismatics, orthodox have no unity, ONLY THE POPE HAS THE KEYS, not the bishops, anyone who is orthodox please give me an instance in church history where a teaching was rendered without the approval of the pope?

[mishakol129]

@Fetrovsky The Orthodox theology is much different than Catholic theology. Let me list a few off of my head, starting with the worst: 1) Papal Fallibility. 2) Rationalistic Approach to theology. 3) Immaculate Conception of Mary and Co-Redeemtrix theology. 4) No blood for laity but only for the clergy; laity just get the body of Christ; Orthodox get body and blood of Christ in Holy Communion. 5) Liturgical modifications and renovations; Orthodox liturgy has been the same since 400 AD.

[Fetrovsky]

@mishakol129 ohh I see what you did there :)... but no, the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church is the one founded by Christ. You Eastern Orthodox need to accept the Pope's primacy and authority. Our theologies are almost identical, which speaks volumes. We feel great esteem for you, but we feel sad that you're not in full communion with us.

[mishakol129]

@Fetrovsky I don't get it, me hating the Orthodox Church? never.

[Fetrovsky]

@mishakol129 Why do you hate the One Holy Catholic Church? Just because it was founded by Christ?