[NRx]

For the record, I think the review is somewhat flawed and my thinking is more in line with that of Fr. Peter Heers. The Cypriatic position on the subject of sacraments outside the Church (there are none) has historically been the dominant position within Orthodoxy though there are minority views to the contrary. I have read the book and found it extremely cogent and better referenced than most academic papers I have come across. But even setting aside the question of the Orthodox approach to the reception of converts, the book is quite simply the best examination of the evolution of Roman Catholic ecclesiology as seen through its baptismal theology that I have ever read, period.

The comment thread at the linked website is also well worth perusing.

[NRx]

Oops. I forgot to check the excerpt box. This is in fact an excerpt. Please read the whole thing at the linked page.

[Hieronymus]

Thanks for your post. I should put this on my to read list.

[trebb]

Can you admit your sins directly to God and repent of them w/o a priest? If all the priests/cleric in the world were to disappear, we could still be saved...Christ saw to that.

Might be better to ask if a priest who is more of a sinner than most of the laity can perform the blessing of the Host/serve communion/take confession/perform baptism etc...

[fishtank]

If you accept Vatican 2,

you think your church is alive.

If you reject Vatican 2,

you admit your church is dead.

[FourtySeven]

The link isn’t working for me.

Is it just me?

[Elsie]

For the record, I think the review is somewhat flawed...

HMMMmmm…

Can You Baptize Without Baptism?

Can You get to Christ Without Mary?