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To: Hermann the Cherusker
Is there something wrong with analytical thinking and logic?

No. There is only something wrong with thinking they have anything to do with Christ and Christianity.

I believe it is wrong to focus incessantly on issues like church doctrine and history as well. Yes we can read about the early church, etc. and what this or that person said or wrote. After that, did you see Christ in the beggar standing on the corner today, and if so, what was your response? Do you see your church and think about how incredible it is that God loved us so much as to send Christ here to suffer on our behalf? I think of this and I want to get down on my knees and crawl into the church, so lowly am I and so unworthy. So grateful and so joyful for the gifts I have been given.

Christianity is not a debate about who said what about this or that in the long run, but a personal encounter with God, which in most cases and especially in mine, leads to ever-increasing longings for more of those personal encounters.

All of those historical things and documents are things here on this earth and matter little when we are on our deathbed. My personal prayer is to live long enough to experience more personal encounters with God so that on my deathbed I can feel sure about the next life - sure that I will be experiencing that incredible sweetness and love that I have but glimpsed in this life. I can only imagine the joy of being close to Him in another kingdom, but the Orthodox church has allowed me to believe in it, and led me to the ability to imagine it, and especially to the desire to have it.
All the councils and proclamations in the world are about man and this life, Hermann. They are helpful in keeping us structured but for the most part ours were written to counter/halt an innovation which the church wished to not spread.

When we reach our day with Christ, I don't think He will care much how much we know about documents accepted by any church. I think He will be much more interested in that beggar we walked by on the street.

323 posted on 12/03/2003 11:52:07 PM PST by MarMema
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To: MarMema
What's sad is the assumption that anyone who enjoys learning more about their Church and its doctrine and discussing these with others is ipso facto someone without compassion and mercy and no personal relationship/encounters with Jesus. Apparently a great love for unity and brotherhood don't count either.

Do you see your church and think about how incredible it is that God loved us so much as to send Christ here to suffer on our behalf? I think of this and I want to get down on my knees and crawl into the church, so lowly am I and so unworthy.

I don't need to think this MM. We Catholics are privileged to be able to go to Mass every day on our way to work to receive Him and visit Jesus in the Tabernacle every day on our way home. I live what you are thinking. But you knew that already, didn't you? This is one of the two main reasons I joined the Catholic Church - I can live like the Apostles here - Acts 2.42-47. I'm not a Sunday only Christian.

I think He will be much more interested in that beggar we walked by on the street.

I don't see too many beggars here (there are about half a dozen regulars downtown, but I work in a different part of the city right now). However, I think actually He will be much more interested in how I took care of my family and interacted with everyone who came along my path than my going and searching for a beggar. And better than being kind to a beggar is setting people upon the right way.

As far as you are concerned, I think you are already on the right way. But there should be love in unity between us Christians, and there is not. So that needs to change. And until it does, I'm going to keep on talking about it to anyone who will listen.

326 posted on 12/04/2003 5:55:46 AM PST by Hermann the Cherusker
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