Which verses say the Church has authority? Church authority comes from the Apostles who passed it on to their successors. The bible hints at that, and the Church documents this with earliest writings. From the beginning the Church had "elders" who were in authority.
Well, I know that the Latins rely on a handful of verses for the immense power they claim for their Magisterium. Do I take it that the Orthodox rely more on early extra-scriptural documents for the powers ascribed to your clergy?
Christ serves as an example of how we should try to be. The whole purpose of going to church is not to read endless verses but to worship and praise God, to repent and to try as much as possible to live a Christ-like life. It's a way of life, FK. It's not bible study. Anyone can do bible study.
I agree that worship is why we go to church, but I don't know how proper worship can be done without knowing the word of God. Even if one is relying on extra-scriptural words he is still relying on the words of SOMEONE to know Who he is worshiping. I agree with you if you are saying that Bible study without belief is a waste of time. However, WITH belief it is invaluable to growing in our relationship with God. How can one grow without learning?
I am not sure I am following you? What "powers" do the clergy have that are extrascriptural? And while we are on the subject of 'extrascriptural," please find where do the scriptures talk about the "power" ascribed to "sola scriptura?"
I agree that worship is why we go to church, but I don't know how proper worship can be done without knowing the word of God
How is it that the Church could canonize the NT, yet not understand it, FK? or, worse, how could it know the truth of the NT and express something other than that in its liturgical prayers?
The Apostolic Church knew the word of God from the beginning because the Apostles were there when it was received and the Apostles were there when their successors were ordained to carry on the worship which expresses our belief, and their successors' successors were there and so on to this day.
Our worship comes form Judaism. Our fasting twice a week comes from Judaism. Our scripture readings come from Judaism. Our bowing to God and kissing of holy objects comes from Judaism. Our incens comes form Judaism. The Eucharist, as a form of offering, comes from Judaism. Our giving thanks before the meals comes from Judaism. Our standing when the Gospels are read comes from Judaism (the Jews stand when the Torah is read). Our singing in the church comes from Judaism. Our calling churches temples (in orthodoxy) comes from Judaism. Our lighting of candles comes from Judaism. Our priests come from Judaism. Our liturgy comes form Judaism.
The Jews did not have lecture halls; they had synagogues, places of liturgical worship. They distinguished religious classes and study groups from synagogues. Our churches are not lecture halls either. They are places of worship. Our churches are built architecturally to resemble the Temple, not lecture halls. In other words, we are a continuum; not an innovation.
We have the same worship as the Church when it canonized the Bible 1,700 years ago. If the Church was capable of infallibly choosing the Christian canon, then the same faith must have been expressed in that Church's Divine Liturgy. Lex orandi, lex credendi. We believe how we pray.
And nothing is more telling of that truth then to actually attend a Divine Liturgy and pay attention to everything that is sung and said. Whatever is in it, was in it when the Church proclaimed the canon. One mind. One faith. One Church. Unchanged in the East to this day
WITH belief it is invaluable to growing in our relationship with God. How can one grow without learning?
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INDEED.