I experience something similar with Catholic students in my medieval
and renaissance literature classes. They're amazed at some of the
doctrines of their church, and more amazed when they find that I
know about them without being Catholic.
Regards,
Jim Kerbaugh
Bill East wrote:
>
> But how many Anglo-Saxons,
> >>other than those associated with the Church, could have discussed the
> >>meaning of the Trinity, the nature of Christ, or other finer points of
> >>theology?
> >
> >How many people in the late twentieth century who call themselves
> >Christians would be able to do this? I used to be astounded at the
> >ignorance of fellow members of my church--until I realized that "being a
> >Christian" and "understanding Christianity" are two very different things.
> >Let's beware, lest in our own erudition we impose impossible standards of
> >"right" Christianity. Judging from friends who have converted, it seems
> >that internal conversion often comes first, followed by the dogma, "faith
> >seeking understanding," as Anselm said.
> >
> >Phyllis
> >
> >Phyllis G. Jestice
> >[log in to unmask]
> >
> >Phyllis has made the very point I would like to have made. I was talking
> to a parishioner the other day, a lifelong Catholic and a man of some
> standing in our parish. It emerged in conversation that he regarded Satan
> as a sort of god, the creator of all the evil things in the universe. This
> is rank dualism. I went through the opening clauses of the Nicene Creed
> with him - We believe in one God, the creator all that exists, etc. He was
> astounded when their significance was pointed out: it had never occurred to
> him. It is beside the point to call him stupid; he is in fact an educated
> man, holding down a well-paid professional job.
>
> I do not believe that the inhabitants of old Byzantium had any better
> understanding than my parishioner, despite their somewhat feverish interest
> in all things dogmatic. If they did, why did the period produce so many
> stunningly obtuse heresies? Every clause of the Nicene Creed, and the
> various other Christians creeds, refutes some error which, however basic,
> was widely held by people at the time. That is why it was necessary to
> produce the creeds and hold the councils.
>
> Oriens.
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