Politics and Morality pushing Conserv. Prots, Catholics, & Orthodox together

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TheEternalOptimist
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11:08a, 8/6/25
15 years ago, I would have considered Catholic and Eastern Orthodox to be anathema to Christianity. Ironically, it was my reading more and more into theology and my wanting to understand the roots of my Reformed/Calvinistic beliefs that made me understand that Catholics and Orthodox who affirm the Nicene or Apostles Creed are indeed my brothers and sisters in the faith. Yes.... there are significant doctrinal disagreements like veneration of the saints, the Marian dogmas, the role of faith vs/with works etc......

...But I believe our moral foundation itself is under attack. The Word of God, the authority of male leadership, the blatant disregard for innocent life, sexual perversion, two-tiered justice approach, and empowering the state to confiscate more and more of the earnings from hard work.

I think in 500 years that conservative Christians just may be ONE global denomination again. The churches that have allowed liberalism/leftist theology in will continue to rapidly decline until they reform to become more conservative OR fade away into oblivion (looking at you Disciples of Christ and ELCA!). And the modern Hillsong/Bethel style "worship" that has taken over most of the SBC and other denominations will long be history. The great Hymns, Psalms, Chants, and classical music will prevail.

Ecumenism will be the result in the long run for those who affirm and adhere to the teaching of the creeds AND on the moral authority that scripture teaches.

So for now, Come let us Reason together brothers and sisters! Isaiah 1:18

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BenFiasco14
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11:09a, 8/6/25
AG
In
CNN is an enemy of the state and should be treated as such.
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Im Gipper
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11:11a, 8/6/25
Quote:
15 years ago, I would have considered Catholic and Eastern Orthodox to be anathema to Christianity.

Because there will always be people that ignorantly believe this, I am not confident there will ever be unification, even in 500 years.

I'm Gipper
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Slicer97
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11:11a, 8/6/25
AG
I bet those dirty micks over in Ireland got a pretty good kick out of the OP.
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Keller6Ag91
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11:12a, 8/6/25
AG
You may be right. While doctrinal differences are important matters of discussion, I'm finding my heart less inclined to focus attention at my Catholic and Orthodox brothers and sisters and more to the unbelieving world.
Gig'Em and God Bless,

JB'91
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An L of an Ag
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11:19a, 8/6/25
AG
Good stuff. Page 1.
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TheEternalOptimist
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In reply to Im Gipper • 11:23a, 8/6/25
Im Gipper said:
Quote:
15 years ago, I would have considered Catholic and Eastern Orthodox to be anathema to Christianity.

Because there will always be people that ignorantly believe this, I am not confident there will ever be unification, even in 500 years.

That is my point - I think this will become less and less common through the next few centuries.
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Madagascar
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11:29a, 8/6/25
AG
Username checks out
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jagvocate
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11:33a, 8/6/25
AG
Catholic and Orthodox Christianity both take John 6 literally and as seriously as possible, and have for centuries before Luther or Calvin were a twinkle in their Daddy's eyes. They differ on the filioque and a few other important matters, but believe our Lord on THE Matter.

Christian brothers and sisters are right to feel affinity for each other because the rest of the world is stacking up against all of us. Let the dialogue and love for our neighbor continue

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Flavius Agximus
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In reply to TheEternalOptimist • 12:02p, 8/6/25
AG
TheEternalOptimist said:
15 years ago, I would have considered Catholic and Eastern Orthodox to be anathema to Christianity. Ironically, it was my reading more and more into theology and my wanting to understand the roots of my Reformed/Calvinistic beliefs that made me understand that Catholics and Orthodox who affirm the Nicene or Apostles Creed are indeed my brothers and sisters in the faith. Yes.... there are significant doctrinal disagreements like veneration of the saints, the Marian dogmas, the role of faith vs/with works etc......

...But I believe our moral foundation itself is under attack. The Word of God, the authority of male leadership, the blatant disregard for innocent life, sexual perversion, two-tiered justice approach, and empowering the state to confiscate more and more of the earnings from hard work.

I think in 500 years that conservative Christians just may be ONE global denomination again. The churches that have allowed liberalism/leftist theology in will continue to rapidly decline until they reform to become more conservative OR fade away into oblivion (looking at you Disciples of Christ and ELCA!). And the modern Hillsong/Bethel style "worship" that has taken over most of the SBC and other denominations will long be history. The great Hymns, Psalms, Chants, and classical music will prevail.

Ecumenism will be the result in the long run for those who affirm and adhere to the teaching of the creeds AND on the moral authority that scripture teaches.

So for now, Come let us Reason together brothers and sisters! Isaiah 1:18


Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy trace back to the foundation of Christianity, long predate Calvinism, and will still be here long after the latest protestant fad has faded into oblivion. Sorry you spent so long thinking those believers were "anathema" to Christianity.
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Ol_Ag_02
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12:10p, 8/6/25
AG
There's always been one Church, as it's made up of the body of believers in Christ. I predict that in 500 years we will still be practicing our faith in different forms.

The printing press let that cat out of the bag and it's never going back in.
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TheEternalOptimist
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In reply to Ol_Ag_02 • 12:19p, 8/6/25
Ol_Ag_02 said:
There's always been one Church, as it's made up of the body of believers in Christ. I predict that in 500 years we will still be practicing our faith in different forms.

The printing press let that cat out of the bag and it's never going back in.

The printing press lead to the internet and sharing of information more easily.

Could the sharing of information not give the Church (all believers in Christ) the increased ability to hammer out these difference over time?
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TheEternalOptimist
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In reply to Flavius Agximus • 12:20p, 8/6/25
Flavius Agximus said:
TheEternalOptimist said:
15 years ago, I would have considered Catholic and Eastern Orthodox to be anathema to Christianity. Ironically, it was my reading more and more into theology and my wanting to understand the roots of my Reformed/Calvinistic beliefs that made me understand that Catholics and Orthodox who affirm the Nicene or Apostles Creed are indeed my brothers and sisters in the faith. Yes.... there are significant doctrinal disagreements like veneration of the saints, the Marian dogmas, the role of faith vs/with works etc......

...But I believe our moral foundation itself is under attack. The Word of God, the authority of male leadership, the blatant disregard for innocent life, sexual perversion, two-tiered justice approach, and empowering the state to confiscate more and more of the earnings from hard work.

I think in 500 years that conservative Christians just may be ONE global denomination again. The churches that have allowed liberalism/leftist theology in will continue to rapidly decline until they reform to become more conservative OR fade away into oblivion (looking at you Disciples of Christ and ELCA!). And the modern Hillsong/Bethel style "worship" that has taken over most of the SBC and other denominations will long be history. The great Hymns, Psalms, Chants, and classical music will prevail.

Ecumenism will be the result in the long run for those who affirm and adhere to the teaching of the creeds AND on the moral authority that scripture teaches.

So for now, Come let us Reason together brothers and sisters! Isaiah 1:18


Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy trace back to the foundation of Christianity, long predate Calvinism, and will still be here long after the latest protestant fad has faded into oblivion. Sorry you spent so long thinking those believers were "anathema" to Christianity.

Well.... there are a few militant Orthos (like Father Moses) and some fringe Caths that say I am anathema still......
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10andBOUNCE
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In reply to TheEternalOptimist • 1:10p, 8/6/25
AG
All for unity here, however it can be a tricky beast. The core fundamental truths established in Scripture must not be shaken, and truth must prevail when at a crossroads with unity.
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AgDad121619
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In reply to Im Gipper • 1:46p, 8/6/25
AG
Im Gipper said:
Quote:
15 years ago, I would have considered Catholic and Eastern Orthodox to be anathema to Christianity.

Because there will always be people that ignorantly believe this, I am not confident there will ever be unification, even in 500 years.
have always had a hard time wrapping my head around how manny folks believe this
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Faithful Ag
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In reply to TheEternalOptimist • 1:58p, 8/6/25
TheEternalOptimist said:
15 years ago, I would have considered Catholic and Eastern Orthodox to be anathema to Christianity. Ironically, it was my reading more and more into theology and my wanting to understand the roots of my Reformed/Calvinistic beliefs that made me understand that Catholics and Orthodox who affirm the Nicene or Apostles Creed are indeed my brothers and sisters in the faith.
The Nicene & Apostles Creeds are a product of the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church which is to say the Catholic & Eastern Orthodox Churches wrote them. ALL Catholics & Orthodox affirm the creeds and always have.

Quote:
Yes.... there are significant doctrinal disagreements like veneration of the saints, the Marian dogmas, the role of faith vs/with works etc......
I am going to go out on a limb here and state that I am absolutely certain that what you think the Catholic and Orthodox
Churches teach on these matters is not in fact what the Church teaches.

I am sorry that you have been so heavily influenced and wrongly indoctrinated to believe that Catholics and Orthodox believers are not Christian. Very sad and unfortunately all too common.
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10andBOUNCE
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In reply to Faithful Ag • 3:03p, 8/6/25
AG
And here lies the issue, as we have plenty of Catholic and Orthodox guys who would say a Protestant is not a Christian.
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Keller6Ag91
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In reply to 10andBOUNCE • 4:06p, 8/6/25
AG
10andBOUNCE said:
And here lies the issue, as we have plenty of Catholic and Orthodox guys who would say a Protestant is not a Christian.

And the Orthodox don't think the Catholics have it right....and so on and so on.

The rally cry for Catholic/Orthodox/Protestant (and in my case, former Catholic) should be GOD is Holy.....Jesus saves and redeems through the cross........to an unbelieving world where the sole commonality is SIN and need of saving.
Gig'Em and God Bless,

JB'91
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FIDO95
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4:37p, 8/6/25
AG


The barbarians are at the gates and they don't care about your views on Marian Dogmas, Latin Mass, or Calvinism. Who are you prepared to declare Lord?
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Serotonin
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In reply to 10andBOUNCE • 4:58p, 8/6/25
AG
10andBOUNCE said:
And here lies the issue, as we have plenty of Catholic and Orthodox guys who would say a Protestant is not a Christian.

Orthodox for almost one decade and I've never heard our priests nor any member of our parish talk about Protestants or Catholics. Any visitors are treated cordially and trinitarian baptism is accepted in our parish for any convert.

The technical view in the Orthodox Church is that Christians outside of the Orthodox Church are heterodox. It's not that they aren't Christian, they just don't participate in the fullness of the Church and are not in Eucharistic communion with us.

But I think it's a huge spiritual pitfall to focus on theological shortcomings of Christians we aren't in communion with. And that goes 1,000X for converts.

Going around attacking others and proclaiming your own theological superiority just leads to pridefulness and alienates everyone else.
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TSJ
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In reply to Serotonin • 7:07p, 8/6/25
AG
Serotonin said:
10andBOUNCE said:
And here lies the issue, as we have plenty of Catholic and Orthodox guys who would say a Protestant is not a Christian.

Orthodox for almost one decade and I've never heard our priests nor any member of our parish talk about Protestants or Catholics. Any visitors are treated cordially and trinitarian baptism is accepted in our parish for any convert.

The technical view in the Orthodox Church is that Christians outside of the Orthodox Church are heterodox. It's not that they aren't Christian, they just don't participate in the fullness of the Church and are not in Eucharistic communion with us.

But I think it's a huge spiritual pitfall to focus on theological shortcomings of Christians we aren't in communion with. And that goes 1,000X for converts.

Going around attacking others and proclaiming your own theological superiority just leads to pridefulness and alienates everyone else.

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747Ag
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In reply to Serotonin • 6:54a, 8/7/25
AG
Serotonin said:
10andBOUNCE said:
And here lies the issue, as we have plenty of Catholic and Orthodox guys who would say a Protestant is not a Christian.

Orthodox for almost one decade and I've never heard our priests nor any member of our parish talk about Protestants or Catholics. Any visitors are treated cordially and trinitarian baptism is accepted in our parish for any convert.

The technical view in the Orthodox Church is that Christians outside of the Orthodox Church are heterodox. It's not that they aren't Christian, they just don't participate in the fullness of the Church and are not in Eucharistic communion with us.

But I think it's a huge spiritual pitfall to focus on theological shortcomings of Christians we aren't in communion with. And that goes 1,000X for converts.

Going around attacking others and proclaiming your own theological superiority just leads to pridefulness and alienates everyone else.

This is pretty much true for my Catholic parish as well, save for doctrinal issues... but it's the doctrine, not the body of Christians themselves.
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TheEternalOptimist
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In reply to FIDO95 • 7:31a, 8/7/25
FIDO95 said:


The barbarians are at the gates and they don't care about your views on Marian Dogmas, Latin Mass, or Calvinism. Who are you prepared to declare Lord?

As a Prot....if Rome was truly endangered from an Islamic Horde invading the city and assailing the Vatican..... I would find that to be a noble cause to fight for. I would feel the same if someone ordered a re-conquering of Constantinople as well.

Deus Vult.
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TheEternalOptimist
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In reply to Serotonin • 7:32a, 8/7/25
Serotonin said:
10andBOUNCE said:
And here lies the issue, as we have plenty of Catholic and Orthodox guys who would say a Protestant is not a Christian.

Orthodox for almost one decade and I've never heard our priests nor any member of our parish talk about Protestants or Catholics. Any visitors are treated cordially and trinitarian baptism is accepted in our parish for any convert.

The technical view in the Orthodox Church is that Christians outside of the Orthodox Church are heterodox. It's not that they aren't Christian, they just don't participate in the fullness of the Church and are not in Eucharistic communion with us.

But I think it's a huge spiritual pitfall to focus on theological shortcomings of Christians we aren't in communion with. And that goes 1,000X for converts.

Going around attacking others and proclaiming your own theological superiority just leads to pridefulness and alienates everyone else.

Good point.

Help me remove the plank from my own eye before I remove the speck in yours!
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10andBOUNCE
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7:53a, 8/7/25
AG
One thing that my current teaching series on Church history has repeated is that nobody's theology is perfect. Everyone errs in some way. Let us pray that these errors are considered with humility and never wade into the waters of heresy.

I think if we can all admit we all have our own blind spots, the idea of unity is more within reach.
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BenFiasco14
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In reply to 10andBOUNCE • 12:21p, 8/7/25
AG
10andBOUNCE said:
One thing that my current teaching series on Church history has repeated is that nobody's theology is perfect. Everyone errs in some way. Let us pray that these errors are considered with humility and never wade into the waters of heresy.

I think if we can all admit we all have our own blind spots, the idea of unity is more within reach.


What's the series? I'd be interested in reading / listening
CNN is an enemy of the state and should be treated as such.
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10andBOUNCE
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In reply to BenFiasco14 • 12:45p, 8/7/25
AG
https://open.spotify.com/show/588m1j6zh4ZS4Uo4QlhaGa?si=X4XMUKPSSm2c6SI8C-elvw
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The Banned
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In reply to TheEternalOptimist • 1:33p, 8/7/25
TheEternalOptimist said:
15 years ago, I would have considered Catholic and Eastern Orthodox to be anathema to Christianity. Ironically, it was my reading more and more into theology and my wanting to understand the roots of my Reformed/Calvinistic beliefs that made me understand that Catholics and Orthodox who affirm the Nicene or Apostles Creed are indeed my brothers and sisters in the faith. Yes.... there are significant doctrinal disagreements like veneration of the saints, the Marian dogmas, the role of faith vs/with works etc......

...But I believe our moral foundation itself is under attack. The Word of God, the authority of male leadership, the blatant disregard for innocent life, sexual perversion, two-tiered justice approach, and empowering the state to confiscate more and more of the earnings from hard work.

I think in 500 years that conservative Christians just may be ONE global denomination again. The churches that have allowed liberalism/leftist theology in will continue to rapidly decline until they reform to become more conservative OR fade away into oblivion (looking at you Disciples of Christ and ELCA!). And the modern Hillsong/Bethel style "worship" that has taken over most of the SBC and other denominations will long be history. The great Hymns, Psalms, Chants, and classical music will prevail.

Ecumenism will be the result in the long run for those who affirm and adhere to the teaching of the creeds AND on the moral authority that scripture teaches.

So for now, Come let us Reason together brothers and sisters! Isaiah 1:18


I think the bolded has helped a ton. The more each denomination dives into history vs taking it for granted, the more we can stabilize and reverse the distance that has happened between the groups. The difference between Calvin and the Catholic Church is nothing compared to the chasm of differences we see today. The more that gap shrinks, the better it is for Christ's great commission. Technology has made church history more accessible than any common man could have hoped for just 20 years ago, and it's helping all parties that are interested in it.

I think the moral decay helps quicken the pace. It's easier for people to lock arms with those that appeared to be foes 20+ years ago. And that shared interest opens up avenues to better listen to each other's perspectives.
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The Banned
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In reply to 10andBOUNCE • 1:38p, 8/7/25
10andBOUNCE said:
One thing that my current teaching series on Church history has repeated is that nobody's theology is perfect. Everyone errs in some way. Let us pray that these errors are considered with humility and never wade into the waters of heresy.

I think if we can all admit we all have our own blind spots, the idea of unity is more within reach.

I know where you're coming from and I don't think it's ill intentioned. The problem is where we draw the line between "blind spot" vs "flat out wrong". I agree it's important to never wade into the waters of heresy, but the first heresies took a truck ton of debate to parse out who was interpreting the bible correctly and who was not. If we all have blind spots, how certain can we be that us trinitarian believers aren't the blind ones?
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BonfireNerd04
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9:57p, 8/7/25
The easiest way to unite people is to have a common enemy.

And the strange alliance of Muslim jihadists and secular Western leftists seems well-placed to be that enemy.
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Frok
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12:19a, 8/8/25
AG
I like that Bethel Song, "Goodness of God", sure it's not a classic hymn, but I like it. The Bible says to see a new song, modern praise is that and there are plenty of good songs. Of course there are many clunkers too but I'm sure there have always been. Only the great songs survive.

Sorry, I saw the dig at praise music with worship in quotes as if it doesn't count and I wanted to soapbox.
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AfraidNot
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4:21p, 8/8/25
Crazy it took Epstein's best friend pushing for higher taxes and treading on rights to unite these… conservatives…
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