[HarleyD]

But the whole image of bishops sitting in Purgatory until excommunications are lifted is just plain silly.

Well, I will confess I was being facecious about the Purgatory thing.

"...the beliefs that we Orthodox have are equally wrong by your Reformed lights."

While I do believe the Orthodox to be wrong in their doctrine, I have always maintained the Orthodox view is really the second "legitimate" view of scripture. All other Christian beliefs are shades to differing degrees of Reformed (monergism) or Orthodoxy (synergism).

In my mind Orthodox are not "equally" wrong with Catholics and non-Reformed Protestants; for the eastern church is built upon certain established paradigms which does seem to trace back through history. Where most make a mistake is to assume Reformed theology does not trace back through the western church. It does. Roman Catholics and non-Reformed Protestants "borrow" doctrinal beliefs from Orthodox and Reformed to varying degrees resulting in a muddled mess of doctrine. Where I see an Orthodox Church following an established process, I see others following inconsistencies. To me these inconsistencies are annoying much like trying to match socks on wash day.

My goal is to convince everyone to become Reformed (preferred) or Orthodox (OK). Life would be so much simplier.

BTW-When I first heard about the Reformed belief three years ago, after considerable research of tracing theology and history, I came to the conclusion that either I would have to become Reformed or Orthodox. I didn't know if I could wear a robe, a beard and one of those funny hats! ;O)

[jo kus]

All other Christian beliefs are shades to differing degrees of Reformed (monergism) or Orthodoxy (synergism).

I'm still looking for that "monergistic" Church that existed before Calvin. The Church has always held the two paradoxes as truth. God gives graces that man totally relies on and man is expected to cooperate with God. The Church consistently condemned either extreme that got rid of the other.

Roman Catholics and non-Reformed Protestants "borrow" doctrinal beliefs from Orthodox and Reformed to varying degrees resulting in a muddled mess of doctrine.

There was no "Orthodox Greek" Church vs a "Catholic Latin" Church before the Schism. When Councils came together and sat down, that was representative of the entire Church. You have an unusual idea of history of the Church.

My goal is to convince everyone to become Reformed (preferred) or Orthodox (OK). Life would be so much simplier

If those are the two choices, I would definitely reconsider converting to a one, holy, catholic and apostolic church nearest you.

I didn't know if I could wear a robe, a beard and one of those funny hats! ;O)

Come home Harley. We can shave and wear hats!

Regards

[Agrarian]

"I didn't know if I could wear a robe, a beard and one of those funny hats! ;O) "

Who says we would have asked you to become a member of the clergy, Harley? :-)

"Where most make a mistake is to assume Reformed theology does not trace back through the western church. It does."

I have to agree with jk on this one -- while there are things in St. Augustine that are very friendly to a Calvinist-style monergism, I don't see even a thread of continuity even within the West. On the other hand, we Orthodox are very fond of most of the great pre-schismatic Western fathers, esp. SS. Ambrose, Hilary, Leo, and Vincent of Lerins.