Lutheran/Orthodox Foundations of Faith
<Origins Lutheran/Orthodox TOC Next-Theological Emphasis>
Lutheran
Foundation of Faith
· Scripture alone is the basis of the Lutheran Faith.
· There are no promises from the Scriptures of revelations of His will apart from the Written Word.
· We can know that there is a God through nature but we cannot know of His love or grace, only power and might. (Rom. 1:20)
There is no scriptural promise that the Church is in any way infallible. The Church is the possessor of the Truth and dispenser of the sacraments, but she has often contradicted herself. Therefore the Lord Himself is the protector and sustainer of Truth for He alone is the Way, and the Truth, and the Life.
Eastern Orthodox
Foundation of Faith
· “The teaching and the practices of the Orthodox Church are to be found in Scriptures and Sacred Tradition which have been handed down to the Church.” (Greek Orthodox Web Page)
· These traditions include: 1) Holy Scriptures, 2) the Ancient Creeds, 3) The writings of the Fathers, 4) decrees of the councils after the seventh ecumenical council, 5) Liturgical tradition.
· While they reject Papal infallibility, the Orthodox do hold that the Church in council is infallible. The Church is the “authentic and infallible interpreter of divine revelation.” Therefore the Church is seen as the protector of the divine truth.
· Orthodoxy also holds anything ancient in high regard. It seems to confuse “Orthodox” (straight teaching) with “ancient” (old). There are many “ancient” heresies that are not orthodox.
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, 908 W. Main Middleville, MI 49333 +269-795-2391+ goodshepherdlcms@gmail.com