Am I a Heretic?

[Justin Kissel]

Since this was specifically brought up here because this is a more conservative Orthodox forum, I think it necessary to mention, for those who don't know, that CGW is a moderate Anglican.

[CGW]

Since this was specifically brought up here because this is a more conservative Orthodox forum, I think it necessary to mention, for those who don't know, that CGW is a moderate Anglican.

Last time I checked, the rules of logic had not been suspended for the Orthodox.

[Seraphim Reeves]

re. non-Christians

3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. (St.John 17:3)

It could be argued that the righteous of the Old Testament period, yearned after Christ through hope, even if their ideas about Him were not clear - at the very least, they were preached to of Him and by Him in hades.

As for those now who do not know Christ, who can say? Ostensibly, their situation is very bad. Though the same can be said of those who receive a miconstrued picture of Who Christ is or what He taught. Ultimatly, God will have to decide between such persons.

Seraphim

[OrthodoxyOrDeath]

Just to add a comment to Seraphims post...very briefly.

It is commonly misunderstood that the God of the Old Testament is God the Father. This is incorrect, it is Jesus Christ. It was Jesus who talked to Moses as a "burning bush", not an Angel.

What is also very much misunderstood is His "personality". He is seen in the Old Testament as "strict" and "intolerant", and I suppose He is in a sense, just like in the NT. But He was indeed the God of Love and this is manifestly shown in the OT too. For instance, going back to the "burning bush" example, Moses is called God's 'friend' (Gr. therapon), but this has been wrongly translated into english bibles as "servant"; its meaning is 'companion' or 'one who serves out of love and not for compensation'. Western Christians have developed this God of fire and wrath POV for the OT, as if Jesus was not involved in any of this. This feeds other ideas which are expressed in the "River of Fire", and the idea that the Jews still worship God the Father. Let me just finish by saying that the Jewish Prophets knew Jesus long before He was incarnate, and they were His friends.

[joasia]

As for the Jews, they did have the true God. But, they chose to refuse Him. But, even unto the end of times, there will be Jews that will come to believe in the true Messiah.

But, who are the true Jews? The Azchnazis were converts from the East, to Judaism, they never stepped foot in Jerusalem. The Serphardics are the line from the 12 tribes of Israel. The true Judaic faith is from the tribes of Israel. They are the bloodline.

Saul was a Jew who believed in the tradition that God passed down. And that's why Jesus chose Him to see the FULL truth.

The Old Testament DOES show a strict God...but what good parent isn't strict with his children? Not hurtful, but strict. Unfortunately, children do not see the sticteness and only see the hurt...because they don't understand the restrictions.

The saints taught that the Jews of the Old Testament needed to be strictly guided, but the guidance was also a preparation, in order to recognize their Messiah. The Pharasees forgot about the truth and focused on their own selfish promotions and therefore rejected the Word of God. They became the servants of satan (SS). The generations thereafter, inherited their blindness. They should be pitied...for losing out on their inheritance.

As for the Muslims...they just plagerized everything; from Judaism, Christianity and paganism. They didn't even have any connections to the 12 tribes of Israel, so how can they proclaim Mohamed as a prophet of God? This, to me, is just plain laughable, but also very sad to see.

In Christ,

Joanna

[George Australia]

Last time I checked, the rules of logic had not been suspended for the Orthodox.

Dear GCW,
Now let's see:
a Virgin gave birth
to a Man Who is God
Who died to bestow Life
and rose from the Dead....
Hmmm...I'd say the rules of logic have been suspended for the Orthodox.
George

[joasia]

CGW.

The rules of logic start with the Orthodox. Anything else is less than logic. Read the Holy Fathers. They are the foundation of Christianity.

Learn from it. That is, if you care to know what true Christianity is about.

In Christ,

Joanna