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Why Are Pastors Having Affairs

I agree with Cluny. The Clergy members are humans, and thus still have the inciniation to sin. What did our Holy Apostle, Saint John the Theologian said? "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives." (1 John 1:8-10). Why are we surprise? Don't we sin too? Yes, the Clergy (Bishops, Priests, Deacons, etc) should know better. In fact, Saint James tell us that the teachers will receive stricter punishment (James 3:1-2). PRAY FOR THEM! In IC.XC.,

Did Mary Have More Kids

"Straw man argument since it was the RCC that did the translating.....eternal virginity was not introduced until 800 years later." (Miche) What? You need to study History. The Ever-Virginity of the Theotokos was not first introduced 800 years after, but was believed many the first generations of Christians. Prominent Holy Fathers of the first centuries (who weren't Roman Catholics) profess it (Saint John Chyrsostom, Saint Basil, Saint Gregory Nazianzen etc), and the third-fifth and seventh Holy Ecumenical Council profess it. It is also found as early as the 2nd century (in the Protevanfelium of James). Study History. Even your forefathers (The Protestant Reformers) believed it! Go figure! In IC.XC.,

Did Mary Have More Kids

The LXX, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures used by the Apostles, includes specific words for "cousin," adelphinos/anepsios, but they are rarely used. The less specific word adelphos , which can mean "brother," "cousin," "fellow believer," or "fellow countryman," is used throughout the LXX, even when cousin or kinsman is clearly the relation described (Genesis 14:14, 16, 29:12, Leviticus 25:49, Jeremiah 32:8, 9, 12). Lot, for instance, who was the nephew of Abraham (cf. Genesis 11:27-31), is called his brother in Genesis 13:8 and 11:14-16. "Adelphos" can be translated "cousin" or "brother" if no specific family relation is indicated. In IC.XC.,

Did Mary Have More Kids

Pastor Jim Yes, there has never been any arguments in the Early Church (1st-10th centuries) about the Ever-Virginity of the Theotokos. The first generation of Christians believed in the Ever-Virginity of Mary. Many Church Historians/Scholars(even Protestants ones) will tell you that. The Protestant Reformers believed in it too. Holy Scriptures does not state Mary had any other children. "Brother and Sisters" mention in the Bible is not evidence. Many Greek Professors (even Protestants ones) will tell you that the Greek DOES NOT support such position. I suggest you read Mary in the New Testament: Collaborative statement by Protestant/Catholic scholars. In IC.XC.,

Jesus Comes As A Thief

Jon. You are correct about Pseudo_Ephraem. In reality, it was not Saint Ephraim, but Pseudo Ephraem, and a deeper look will reveal that whoever this man was never taught a Pre-Trib Rapture. Your article you posted is one of many refutation against Pre-Trib claims. In reality, the Pre-Trib was not taught by any Christian before the 18th century. It has never been taught by the many Holy Fathers of the Holy Church (such as Saint Augustine, Saint John Chrysostom, Saint Basil, Saint Gregory of Nyssa, etc). It has no solid foundation in Holy Scripture, and has never been part of the Tradition of Eastern Orthodoxy. It is simply a fabrication of some Protestants imagination. In IC.XC.,

Don't Add To The Bible

"what about the books of maccabees, apochripa? aren't they added to the bible? " (Mike) No, they were removed by Protestants. Oddly enough, these books were included in the Greek Translation of the OT (LXX, Septuagint) highly favored by Christ, the Holy Apostles, and the Early Christians above the Hebrew version. The majority of Christians today (which include Latin/Eastern Catholics, Eastern Orthodoxy, Oriental Orthodoxy, etc) consider these books Holy Scriptures, as do the African Jews. Mike, anti-Catholics will tell you that these books were "added" by Catholics in the 16th century, but history proves them wrong. In IC.XC.,

The Council Of Trent

"Obviously our catholic friends view the institutionalized church as the real body of christ." (Lee) Oddly enough, Christ viewed the Church as "visible" as well. "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. (Mathew 5:14) And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick? (Mark 4:21).Also, Matthew 18:15-19. And you know little of Saint Augustine the Blessed writtings (no surprise there). He also believe the Church was visible. Want proof? In IC.XC.,

The Council Of Trent

" That means you turn your life over to your visible church then to the infallible word of God." (Mark V) I turn my life over to the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church started by Jesus Christ, preserved by the Holy Apostles and the Fathers, i.e., Eastern Orthodoxy. What? You think the infallible word of God is limited to the written accounts (Scriptures)(cf. 2 Thes 2:15)? "The supreme authority rests with the Bible, not with the visible Church" Yes, that is your extra-biblical tradition. We have, before, established that your beliefs does not come from the word of God. Mark V, you follow extra biblical traditions too. In IC.XC.,

The Council Of Trent

"Presbyterian which is a very far cry from what we see in the Eastern Orthodox denominations." (Lee) I never said the Presbyterian sect is like the Eastern Orthodox Church. It is very far from Ancient Christianity! "While the basis for Presbyterism is in the Scripture being the ultimate authority, the authority in the Eastern & Roman Catholic churches lies with the visible church hierarchy. The membership at large, has little or no voice in either the doctrinal viewpoints or the operations of the church." Like Cluny said, we not going to change anything. We don't want to. We simply transmit the Faith as received by the Holy Apostles and the Fathers. That's is OUR voice. In IC.XC..,

The Council Of Trent

"we can all see that the Orthodox church makes much the same claims as that of the Roman Church"(Lee) No more than the Presbyterian Churches makes the same claims as do other post-16th century sects. "They truly believe that the Lord commissioned them to led all the other churches but totally ignore the fact that He did not ever promise immunity from doctrinal error" Yes, he did. The Gates of Hades shall prevail against the Church said Jesus (Matt 16:18). Sorry Lee, I won't follow your Presbyterians Churches beliefs, practices, and interpretations of Holy Scriptures, that only arose after the 16th century. So you admit that your Presbyterian sect have doctrinal errors? How many? In IC.XC.,

Pastoral Collar In Public

"I have also noticed that people who wear JESUS t-shirts, crosses, or with bumper-stickers sometimes act in very unloving ways. They seem to forget what their "signs" represent and could be a stumbling block for the weak. If we wear the t-shirt or "collar", then we better remember to be Christ-Like. "Putting on Christ" is more than a title, collar or other symbol but rather an attitude of LOVE." (Jody) Amen! It is not what you wear, but HOW you live out the Gospel that matters. In IC.XC.,

Don't Add To The Bible

Contrary to previous posts, Saint John the Theologian, wrote the following: "I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. (Rev 22:18-19) Saint John wrote "in this book" (Refering to the book he was writing) four times. Note: Saint John was not writing on a book called "The Holy Bible", which this was the last page of the Bible. And the Mod is wrong on his second part. In IC.XC.,

Don't Add To The Bible

The Reformers was not in agreement on the nature of the New Testament either. Martin Luther, although he add them in his translation, made an attempt to remove the books of Hebrews, James, Jude and Revelation from the canon. He never change his views on them, neither his friend Andreas Carlstadt. Zwingle rejected the Book of Revelation. He denied it was a Apostolic book, and hence never used it for doctrinal purposes. John Calvin doubted the genuineness of 2nd Peter and Pauline authorship of the Epistle of Hebrews. Sources: 1) Philip Scahaff, History of the Christian Church, volume 6, 2)Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible. In Sum, the Protestant Reformers was not in agreement on the exact nature of the OT and NT. In IC.XC.,

Which Bible Is The Best

"Do NOT use a study bible....someones opinions.....read..the Bible without any prejudice" (Pastor Jim) We just have to follow YOUR interpretation of Holy Scriptures, right? In reality, each one interpret Holy Scriptures based upon their tradition (whether it be Baptist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, or whatever), including you, "Pastor". The Bible, like any other spiritual writings, needs interpretation, and spiritual help, from a spiritual guide (that is why God sent spiritual teachers to the Church)(Acts 8:30-31, Heb. 5:12, 2 Peter 3:15-16,, Cor 12:28, Eph 4:11, Acts 13:1) I do not follow my own interpretation, but rather how the first generation of Christians interpret the Holy Writ. In IC.XC.,

The Council Of Trent

"...They hop from one denomination to another.....In fact, it may be questionable if they really know the Bible or even its Author." (lee) I don't need to hop. I found the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church started by our Lord in 33AD, in the Eastern Orthodox Church. "And such is those that would join denominations that are heavily burdened with all kinds of rituals like unto the ancient catholic or Eastern Orthodoxy." Nope. For us Orthodox Christians, nothing is "heavily burden". In reality though, nearly all Protestant denomination has rituals that they have incorporated in their traditions, more so than others. Yes, that included your precious Presbyterian tradition. In IC.XC.,

Do Guardian Angels Exist
	" Ignatius Mat 18:20 says: For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. These are the words of Jesus. The verses following don't seem to have much to do with angels, either. Is the the passage you meant?" (Donna) Thank-you Donna for pointing this out. I meant Matthew 18:10, not Matthew 18:20. Agape! In IC.XC.,

Most Dangerous Preacher

Mike "who is defining those conditions that the pope is free from error." Rome. Papal Infallibility has it's limitation, and even a Roman Pope can err. In fact, if you study Early Church History, a few Popes was excommunicated for heresy, such as Roman Pope Honorius I, reigned from 625-638 AD. A Roman Church still believes that theRoman Pope can be excommunicated. There are five conditions that need to meant for Papal Infallibility. Research them. Now, I do not believe in Papal Infallibility, just pointing out your error in previous posts. "so since the pope is preaching that mary is nearly equal with god, then that is not erroneous?" The current Roman Pope doesn't. In IC.XC.,

Do Guardian Angels Exist

Every child receives from God a Guardian Angel, according to our Lord (Matthew 18:10). "He commands His angels regarding you to guard you in all your paths The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them" (Psalm 91:11, 34:7). Thus should a Christian remember his good angel, who for the span of all his life concerns himself with him, rejoicing in his spiritual achievements, and grieves over his downfalls. Angel of God, my holy protector, given to me from heaven by God for my protection, I fervently beseech you: enlighten me and preserve me from all evil, instruct me in good deeds and direct me on the path of salvation. Amen. In IC.XC.,

Do Guardian Angels Exist
	Yes, we a have a Guardian Angel (Matthew 18:20, etc). We are given a Guardian Angel after Holy Baptism. I and other Christians seek the intercessions of our Guardian Angels each day, as was the custom of the Ancient Christians. O Angel, my Holy Guardian, protect me from all evil. Amen. In IC.XC.,

The Council Of Trent

"Ignatius- in this day and age, it has been very common for many to switch from one denomination to another. But such is the story with those who are centered not on Christ but on denominations." (lee) Well lee, since you was a former Episcopalian, before you became a Presbyterian, and who knows what else you were before, I guess your story was one that was not centered on Christ, but on denominations. In IC.XC.,