14.1.19

Orthodoxy thought experiment

In the book of Revelation, there are letters to various churches.

How many of those churches were Orthodox?

If the answer is "none", then there were schisms from the beginning, and the struggles of various modern churches can't be blamed on a departure from Orthodoxy, because there wasn't a single, unified, homogeneous, perfect expression of Christianity to begin with.

If the answer is "some", then one would need to demonstrate how the corrective action recommended was exclusive to Orthodoxy.

If the answer is "all", then even early on, the Orthodox church was struggling with problems that they now blame on schisms and people having strayed form Orthodoxy, so if those problems would have existed anyway even within Orthodoxy, they can't blame a rejection of Orthodoxy as being why the problems manifested.

The only absolute we are given is Jesus Christ, it is his work on the cross which reconciled us with God, "so that none may boast".

There was an infinite gap between God and man that was created by sin, yet it was bridged by Christ's blood in love.

The distinction between those who reject God and those who call on Jesus Christ as Lord and savior is going to be clear enough in due time.

Creating new distinctions, let alone the pride associated with sustaining them, is what drove the Pharisees.

When their practices were destroyed, they would sooner invent a new religion than turn to God.

Learn so that you do not make the same mistake.

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