I'm not asking you to explain why there are differences between you two, only that there are differences and some of those are so serious that reunification has not happened for over a thousand years. To insist that because "Protestants" - and I put that word in quotes because for most of you anyone who isn't Catholic falls into that bucket - have differences in "theological approaches" and "interpretations" means none can be correct about anything is overly dramatic.
While there are many groups that call themselves Christian, not everyone that says "Lord, Lord" shall be saved. There certainly are central tenets of the Christian faith that are enumerated in Scripture and, of course, in traditional beliefs that it would not be difficult at all to separate true believers from false ones. One of the major reasons why so many of us here stress the place of the Bible in knowing truth from fallacy is because the Scriptures are infallible and inerrant coming from God himself. Jesus fought Satan's temptations by repeatedly saying, "It is written", I believe that we were told about that exchange for just that very reason.
16In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Psalm 119:9-11 9How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. 10 With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! 11I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
The central tenets of the Christian faith can be found in scripture, but they aren’t explicit.
Nowhere in scripture explicitly condemns abortion for example. Nor is the Trinity or the Divinity of Christ. Otherwise the Church fathers wouldn’t have spent 500 years after Jesus’s ascension defending these basic teachings.
My church, which represents half of the Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch reunited with Rome in 1724.
http://www.melkite.org
The East is somewhat platonic in a Hellenistic Jewish sense, so we don’t engage in speculative theology.
But we agree in matters of core dogma if not in the exact details. The schism between Rome and the East has been mostly political and not entirely irreconcilable.
I consider myself and Eastern Orthodox Christian in union with the See of Rome.
But in the end anytime you deal with the Bible it comes down to interpretation.
I reject Protestant scriptural interpretation and cultural assumptions, not the Bible itself.
Psalm 119:89 Forever, O LORD, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.
Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Psalm 119:130 The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.
Psalm 119:161-162 Princes persecute me without cause, but my heart stands in awe of your words. I rejoice at your word like one who finds great spoil.
Proverbs 30:5-6 5 Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. 6 Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.