The “infallibility problem” in Eastern Orthodoxy is more similar to the infallibility problem in Protestantism than you may realize. In each case, rejection of centralized infallibility leaves them with fallible (and hazy) collections of infallible teachings.
Tag: Eastern Orthodoxy
Do Ecumenical Councils Eliminate the Need for the Papacy?
A friend asked me about an argument against Catholicism raised by Fr. Viktor Potapov, an Orthodox priest based here in D.C., in Chapter Ten of his Orthodoxy and Heterodoxy. The argument essentially says that the early Church believed in conciliar infallibility, but that the West replaced this idea with papal infallibility. Fr. Potapov first explains… Continue reading Do Ecumenical Councils Eliminate the Need for the Papacy?
The Orthodox Question: Why Catholic and Not Eastern Orthodox?
At some point, many people considering the Catholic Church face this question: “Why become Catholic, and not Eastern Orthodox?” After all, Orthodoxy can look mighty appealing. You get a lot of the things that are desirable in Catholicism — Apostolic Succession, visible authority, ecclesial unity, Tradition, beautiful Liturgy — without having to accept the pope… Continue reading The Orthodox Question: Why Catholic and Not Eastern Orthodox?
How the Eastern Half of the Church Used to View the Pope
Dr. Erasmo Leiva-Merikakis, former professor of Literature and Theology at the University of San Francisco, has written two volumes of what will eventually be a three-volume meditation on the Gospel of Matthew: Fire of Mercy, Heart of the Word (vol I; vol. II). The bits that I’ve read so far have been amazing. Leiva-Merikakis speaks… Continue reading How the Eastern Half of the Church Used to View the Pope
“Why Did Jesus Build His Own Church?” and Other Reflections on Matthew 16
This past Sunday’s readings were on the papacy. The First Reading was from Isaiah 22:19:23, in which the LORD to Shebna, master of the palace: “I will thrust you from your office and pull you down from your station. On that day I will summon my servant Eliakim, son of Hilkiah; I will clothe him… Continue reading “Why Did Jesus Build His Own Church?” and Other Reflections on Matthew 16
Can Catholics and Orthodox Pray Directly to the Father?
I stumbled upon a Presbyterian blog which reminded me once more of how much work needs to be done in making sure people have some idea what Catholics believe – and don’t. The blogger, Benjamin Glaser, remarking on 1 Timothy 2, said: Nothing separates us more from our Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox brothers and… Continue reading Can Catholics and Orthodox Pray Directly to the Father?
Answering Orthodox Objections About the Robber Council
Last week, I wrote a post explaining that the only principle upon which any of us (Catholic, Orthodox, or Protestant) can say that the Second Council of Ephesus was a Robber Council, while the other Councils were valid Ecumenical Councils is on the basis of papal approval. This is true simply as a matter of history —… Continue reading Answering Orthodox Objections About the Robber Council
Catholics, Orthodox, and the Robber Council
A couple weeks ago, I wrote about the Second Council of Ephesus, which was expected to be an Ecumenical Council. Unfortunately, the “council’s” decrees were heretical, and it was immediately denounced by the pope, who nicknamed it the “Robber Council.” This history is important, because it shows that the validity of an Ecumenical Council turns upon… Continue reading Catholics, Orthodox, and the Robber Council
How the “Robber Council” Establishes the Papacy
At least three groups of Christians – Eastern Orthodox, traditional Protestants, and liberal Catholics – assail the papacy by arguing that the Church Councils should be our highest authority, an idea called “concilarism.” It’s a good argument – after all, Councils can be infallible, they’re part of the Magisterium, and so forth, so don’t Catholics go… Continue reading How the “Robber Council” Establishes the Papacy
Jerusalem Matins: a Beautiful Way to Celebrate Holy Saturday
Holy Saturday sometimes gets lost in the mix in Roman-Rite Catholicism. Holy Thursday is huge (the Institution of the Eucharist and the priesthood), Good Friday is huge (Christ removing the curse of sin on the Cross), and Easter Sunday is huge (the Resurrection). And Easter Vigil on Saturday night is the biggest Mass of the… Continue reading Jerusalem Matins: a Beautiful Way to Celebrate Holy Saturday