Posted by Ray Kidder on 11/21/2008, 8:11 pm, in reply to "Re: An impetus for the Protestant Reformation?"
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Jim,
It is my understanding that some in the Eastern Orthodox denomination view Protestantism as something that hatched from an egg that was laid by the Roman Catholic Church. Some Eastern Orthodox believe the Roman Catholic error that led to the Protestant Reformation is rooted in the insersion of the filioque into the Nicene creed. They believe the filioque reduced the role of the Holy Spirit such that the authority and power of the church institution was greately over-emphasized. This makes sense when scripture teaches that Christians are the body of Christ (AKA the Church). The Protestant over-reaction has been to replace the function of the Church with a personal belief about Jesus. This personal belief about Jesus has led to a Protestant outlook of the Christian life, theology, and spiritual powers being founded on one's personal beliefs and faith (so as to avoid the belief that the Church somehow makes salvation, damnation, and reception of grace decisions).
Doesn't Protestantism usually teach that if a person has the right faith, they cannot be outside of the body of Christ? If they cannot be outside of the body of Christ, they cannot be outside of the church, nor outside of the state of salvation. How can a person be legitimatly excommunicated unto damnation if they retain the right beliefs and theology?
Ray Kidder
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