From: anachem@bronze.ucs.indiana.edu (mark gilstrap)
Subject: Re: Second parousia in the past?
Organization: Indiana University
Date: Fri, 4 Sep 1992 19:48:13 GMT

In article <01GOCYQTRUEO0001P7@LIFE.UAMS.EDU> BKCOBB@LIFE.UAMS.EDU writes:
>With all due respect,
>
>Being in conformity with tradition is no guarantee that one's belief is
>correct.
>
>Brian
	
	For consideration: the example of Holy Scripture.

	Holy Scripture is that which was compiled by the Church from
	the extant writings *on the basis of their conformity with*
	Holy Tradition. Holy Tradition (not simply tradition) is the
	guarantee of correct doctrine (orthodoxy). 

	Doctrine which is contradictory to that of the original apostolic
	faith should most honestly be given another name (other than
	Christian) which more closely reflects the nature and source
	of the belief. With regard to the idea that Christ will come
	to establish a thousand year reign on earth, a name already
	exists. The old belief was called "chiliasm", so the new rearing
	of this heretical belief could be called "neo-chiliasm".

	Honest scholarship must not apply the name of Christian to
	those things which were rejected by the Church long before
	the Great Schism and the Reformation led to the legion
	of denominations which call themselves christian and which 
	once again embrace, in one group or another, every previously
	condemned false belief about Christ.


the following quote is stolen from  Eric Ewanco's .signature file:

    "...[T]he greatest and most ancient Church known to all, founded and
    organized at Rome by [] Peter and Paul, [is] that Church which has the
    tradition and faith which comes down to us after having been announced
    to men by the Apostles.  For with this Church, because of its superior
    origin, all Churches must agree ...  and it is in her that the
    faithful everywhere have maintained the Apostolic tradition."
       -- St. Irenaeus, Against Heresies, c. 180 A.D., 3,3,3.

	(the above was true re: Rome in 180, and remains true in
	the orthodox churches which have faithfully maintained the 
	Apostolic tradition.)

	By right of first origin and continuous unchanging doctrine,
	"all Churches must agree" with the original Christian doctrine
	if they wish to be recognized as Christian. "Narrow is the
	way which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it" 
	"Not everyone that saith unto me Lord, Lord, shall enter into
	the kingdom of heaven;...have we not prophesied in thy name?
	and in they name have cast out devils? and in thy name done
	many wonderful works? And then I will profess unto them, I
	never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." 
	Matt 7:14,21-23.

	It is necessary, but not sufficient to "accept" and proclaim
	Christ as Lord. "Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man,
	and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.....This is an
	hard saying; who can hear it?....Doth this offend you?...
	From that time many of his disciples went back and walked no
	more with him." John 6:53,60,61,66.   These Sacraments do
	not exist outside the true Church of Christ; only outward
	symbols serve, and at that very poorly, since the above words
	are not brought to mind. In verse 6:66 we see the sign of 
	antichrist which is his number: "walked no more with him."
	it says of the fate of those who reject His will in deleting
	the Sacramental life which is necessary, and without the Grace
	bestowed thereby who begin to speak new doctrine which is
	folly.

	Come, walk with Christ by the narrow path which leads to 
	eternal life. Submit to the strait gateway which is entered
	by giving up vain and personal imaginings of what is Christian.
	Enter and join with the small flock of Orthodox Christianity
	and discover that which has attracted you for such a long
	time and which you never quite reach from where you are.

	Fr Mark
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