20 May, 2008...10:50 am

Reference Point: a suggestion

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I have recently discussed the use of Sola Scriptura as a reference point for ecumenical apologetics. I do not think that a narrow Biblicistic attitude is helpful in exploring the differences that still separate us. I also think that it is most unhelpful to accuse each other of all sorts of heresies and prophesy eternal calamities. So it falls to me to suggest another Reference Point.

So my suggestion as a Reference Point are the three commonly accepted symbols of the Faith:

  1. The Apostles’ Creed
  2. The Nicene Creed
  3. The Athanasian Creed

There are some issues (filique etc) but these are commonly accepted statements of faith that have a continuity of use.

What do you think?

4 Comments

Filed under Philosophy, Theology

4 Comments

  • Rob
    20 May, 2008 at 2:15 pm

    -What do you think?-

    Not much. I’m not that smart.

    What exactly do you mean by reference point? Are you looking for some “starting point” in a discussion with Protestants? Common ground for a discussion?

  • Bob Catholic
    20 May, 2008 at 2:19 pm

    What exactly do you mean by reference point? Are you looking for some “starting point” in a discussion with Protestants? Common ground for a discussion?

    Yep!

  • Rob
    20 May, 2008 at 11:46 pm

    Well, most evangelicals I know wouldn’t even know the Apostle’s Creed or believe it was really from the apostles. And that bit at the end about believing in the Catholic Church would convince them that it was a diabolic rant.

    And if you can’t agree to the apostle’s creed, you can’t really talk with Catholics. (And you’re a heretic!)

    But then all the Protestants I know are “bible-believin” -types who know almost nothing about Christianity.

  • Bob Catholic
    23 May, 2008 at 2:04 pm

    Rob,

    And if you can’t agree to the apostle’s creed, you can’t really talk with Catholics.

    That’s my point: Catholics need to be pro-active in their ecumenical relations rather than accepting, on spec, the assumptions of others! Or, in other words, let’s be Catholics by conviction.

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