Wednesday, March 16, 2016

So What's the Difference - Eastern Orthodox Church

While not intended to be inclusive, the following chart provides a basic summary for comparison and discussion.  

                                                Biblical
                                         Worldview                                     Eastern Orthodox Church

Authority              The Bible, the Word of God              Church & Traditions of Church
                            The only infallible source of truth      Patriarchs
                                                                                      Bible

View on Bible      Only source of truth                           Church preceded the Bible, and
                              2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16                          provided the Bible, so the Church
                              Romans 1:16                                     is the primary authority.
                              John 1:1-5,14                                   Apostolic Succession
                              Matthew 4:4                                     

Core Beliefs         1 Corinthians 15:1-3  Jesus              It is the One True Church
                                was crucified, died, buried             Patriarchs speak for God
                                & rose from the dead.                    Apostolic Succession    
                                                                                      Sacraments    

                             Ephesians 4:4-6 - one Body             Theosis - the process of individual 
                               (church composed of all                   deification.
                                believers), one Spirit, one                
                                hope of your calling (heaven),       Icons - a source of revelation equal    
                                one Lord, one faith, one baptism,    to the Bible
                                one God & Father of us all.

Salvation by          Faith in Jesus Alone                      Works to show your worth and   
                                John 3:16, 14:6                              goodness to God.  
                                Acts 4:12                                     Theosis - becoming deified (like God)  
                                Ephesians 2:8-9                          Obey the teachings of the Church       
                                Romans chapter 3, 10:9,17            

Life of faith            Loving God & Others (Luke 9:27)  Tasked with working towards
 characterized by  Living for Jesus (the walk) &            communion & fellowship with God.
                                imitators of His life                         According to Athanasius, "God 
                                Ephesians chapters 4 thru 6          become man, so that me might 
                                Colossians 3:1-4:6                         become gods."  
                             Telling others of Jesus 2 Corinthians 5

Afterlife belief       Millennial kingdom - Jesus will        Prayers are offered for the souls of  
                              return & reign for 1,000 year as       the departed to strengthen them to   
                              promised.   Revelation 20:4             be confident at the judgment seat of 
                            Heaven, paradise, the New               Christ on the Last Day
                              Jerusalem - eternal                             
                              Philippians 3:20-21, Revelation       
                               chapter 21 & 22.
                            Hell - place of eternal suffering          
                              for those who rejected God &
                              Jesus.  Revelation 20:10-15

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