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I grew up non-denominational Protestant, but I'm currently in the process of looking into Eastern Orthodoxy and Anglicanism.

Quote from: Colin Michael on September 30, 2009, 11:39:08 PM

Quote from: New Raven BR on September 30, 2009, 11:35:57 PM

Quote from: Colin Michael on September 30, 2009, 11:30:37 PM

I'm currently studying the doctrines of the Church before converting, which I plan to do soon. My beliefs are probably best described as neo-orthodox, though I try to understand the teachings of the Church and hope that my beliefs will one day be in line with hers.

you do know the church is a term meaning every born again christian in the world don't ya?

You do know that its also a term for the organisation set into place by the apostles and continued by their successors?

*sigh*

Why can't you just be specific instead of arrogantly displaying your knowledge of technical terminology when most of the people here don't know what you're talking about?

Aside from that, you do realize that there's been a gigantic dispute as to which body is the true continuation of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church ever since 1054, right? I'd hate to assume that someone as smart as you could have forgotten the first millennium of church history, but that little tidbit appears to have slipped your mind. I don't even know whether you're referring to the Roman Catholic Church or the Eastern Orthodox Church, since the way you described it could have indicated either one.

I'm anti-denominational personally. But for the sake of briefness my beliefs allign mostly a Messianic Karaite Judaism.

The only possibly "arrogant" terms I've used here have been "neo-orthodoxy" (which I'm sure most people who doesn't know what neo-orthodoxy probably doesn't know the major beliefs of the other denominations and should google them) and the "form of the church" joke, which should be elucidatory even without a knowledge of Plato's beliefs.

I support your looking into the Eastern Orthodox side of Christianity; in many places it is closer to the traditions of the apostles than Roman Catholicism. I prefer Thomism and Western philosophy; thus, Roman Catholicism seems like the best place for me. Many early church fathers would have had a problem with these views, most notably Tertullian and St. Paul, though I think the Roman Catholic church has evolved past their objections.

What's your opinion on the whole katharsis, theoria, theosis business?

Plus, who wouldn't love Athanasius? "The Son of God became man, that we might become god"...

Quote from: Arch Angel on October 01, 2009, 10:23:36 PM

Quote from: Colin Michael on October 01, 2009, 10:17:00 PM

Quote from: Arch Angel on October 01, 2009, 10:14:46 PM

I'm anti-denominational personally. But for the sake of briefness my beliefs allign mostly a Messianic Karaite Judaism.

Is that Christian or an off-shoot?

Neither, I don't like religious slurs. I just believe the whole Tanakh and the Messianic Texts as well.

We believe in one God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father by whom all things were made; who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary, and was made man, and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried, and the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father. And he shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead, whose kingdom shall have no end.

And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. And we believe one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins. And we look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Quote

I didn't know that quote was attributed to him, though I've heard it before.

Yeah, it's in On The Incarnation. You should check it out sometime; it's a short read and remains one of my favorite Church Father texts ever.

Plus, who wouldn't love Athanasius? "The Son of God became man, that we might become god"...

It's not an inconceivable idea. If Jesus was divine and the "son of God" and we are called the "children of God", the eventual quasi-divinity of man isn't hard to extrapolate.

I think I can shed a little light on what Arch Angel is saying. By Tanakh, he is referring to the Torah (first 5 books, Genesis through Deuteronomy), Neviem (Prophets), Ketuvim (writings like Ruth and Ester. Basically the "Old Testament". By "Messianic texts" he is referring to those books often called the "New Testament" or B'rit Chadasha (Covenant Renewed) or "Apostolic Writings". There are currently no Denominational Divisions in the Messianic Communities that I know of. When he calls himself a Karite, that simply means that he does not hold to the traditions of the typical Jewish Faith, his Beliefs are based on scripture and scripture alone.

AA, if I have misspoken on your behalf, please forgive me.

On a further note. I do believe that AA would be considered a Christian by most Christians. Messianic Judaism (Karite or otherwise) does acknowledge Yeshua (Jesus) as both Messiah and in most cases God in the flesh (although I have met some who disagree with that). He is our only way to our ultimate goal of eternal relationship with the Father. However, we also understand that, in the ministry of Yeshua, He never broke the Torah (often translated "law"). As a matter of fact if you read Matthew 5:17-18 you will understand His stand on the Torah and the Prophets. The only practices He ever condemned (sp?) were the act of making the "traditions of men of greater importance than the law of God".