Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

To: wmfights

"The THEORY is proven false by Scripture and the lives of the Apostles. The early church was congregational in structure not hierarchal. The monobishophoric system developed after the Apostolic Era, not during."

I think you'll find that both +Polycarp and +Ignatius were alive and functioning as and called bishops during the Apostolic era. Certainly +John was still alive. Now that said, The Church of the 1st-early 2nd century was not "hierarchial" in the Western sense of the word, at least so far as Orthodoxy is concerned. After the Apostolic era, after the Apostles had appointed their successors, it appears that the clergy and laity of individual dioceses in fact elected their bishops, but they were always ordained by other bishops. Interestingly, this practice, with all local bishops also voting, persists to this day in the Church of Cyprus for the choosing of its Archbishop.

The idea of a "monobishop", by which I assume you mean the Roman system, we orthodox would say is a purely Roman innovation, but the Latins argue otherwise.


3,258 posted on 12/31/2006 2:24:18 PM PST by Kolokotronis (Christ is Risen, and you, o death, are annihilated!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3255 | View Replies ]


To: Kolokotronis
The idea of a "monobishop", by which I assume you mean the Roman system, we orthodox would say is a purely Roman innovation, but the Latins argue otherwise.

You're right I am discussing the RC system. I am aware you view your clergy and their authority differently.

Got to run. Have a BLESSED New Year!

3,260 posted on 12/31/2006 2:29:07 PM PST by wmfights (LUKE 9:49-50 , MARK 9:38-41)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3258 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson