Catholic and Orthodox: Appeal to Teaching Authority

[Jetavan]

Not the point, is it?  What makes sense to me may not make sense to you - and neither of us may be right!  All we can do is pray "Lord have mercy on me a sinner" and trust that whatever happens is His will. 

I'm just curious. 

[elijahmaria]

If it's OK for someone other than Ambrose and Mary to interject an opinion  , here's mine:  

One of the reasons I'm more comfortable with Orthodoxy than Catholicism is my perception that Orthodoxy is, at least in theory, more comfortable with my uncertainty about the afterlife.

There may very well be something like Purgatory after we die.  But I haven't died yet, so I don't know.

There may very well be something like Toll Houses after we die.  But I haven't died yet, so I don't know.

There may be something completely different and unexpected after we die.

There may be NOTHING after we die.

But I haven't died yet!  So I don't know!!!

And I don't really see how anyone who hasn't died can know, for sure, to the point where they can authoritatively tell other people that they MUST believe what they believe, as a FACT, or else they will be shut out from any contact with God for eternity.

Sigh.  So what do you think?  Am I doomed?

Are you suggesting that comfort is the arbiter of theological truth?

Also, logically and without immediate reference to your wide ranging doubts, has it occurred to you that among the substances of things unseen are such gems as....heaven....and howse'bout the resurrection of the body?...all those credal truths, and such.

If you are right about Orthodoxy not being certain about some of these fundamentals then I suppose that's where you belong.

I don't think that's true BTW...so maybe you still belong there but I'd re-think my reasons.

M.

[theistgal]

(Sigh)No, Mary, I'm not intending to suggest anything about any theological truth.

I'm just trying to get you (and with all due respect, Fr. Ambrose) to step back a little and see how these argume er, these long-winded discus, ahem! these talks you and he have  , in threads like this one, might come off a bit disturbing to those of us whose faith isn't as strong and well-developed as yours.  

[elijahmaria]

(Sigh)No, Mary, I'm not intending to suggest anything about any theological truth.

I'm just trying to get you (and with all due respect, Fr. Ambrose) to step back a little and see how these argume er, these long-winded discus, ahem! these talks you and he have  , in threads like this one, might come off a bit disturbing to those of us whose faith isn't as strong and well-developed as yours.  

Until you break in there's no way for me or any of us to really know...So rather than getting frustrated...say something!!

M.

[theistgal]

Um ... I did.

[Shlomlokh]

(Sigh)No, Mary, I'm not intending to suggest anything about any theological truth.

I'm just trying to get you (and with all due respect, Fr. Ambrose) to step back a little and see how these argume er, these long-winded discus, ahem! these talks you and he have  , in threads like this one, might come off a bit disturbing to those of us whose faith isn't as strong and well-developed as yours.  

Perhaps we need a whole subsection devoted to their debates.  I must agree, we all need to be more careful (I'll throw myself in there) to those seekers who are lurking and watching these discussions. At times, this board is not a good witness for Orthodoxy. But we repent, ask forgiveness and move on.

In Christ,
Andrew

[elijahmaria]

Um ... I did.

Um...ok

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