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Theology


Canons of Authority

My comment and question of an Orthodox netfriend:

Which is why there are various canonical 'trinities' - Father Son and Bible, Holy Spirit x3, Bible plus five Fundamentals, 10 Fundamentals, Bible plus pre-trib rapture etc...

Where do the Orthodox rank Scripture, Tradition, Reason, Experience as canons of authority, if they were to be put into a hierarchy? (Again, in theory and in practice?)

His response

Reason and experience -are already- IN Scripture and Tradition, What the Anglicans did (triangle) and then the Methodists did (Quadralaterial) in reality was to tip/over balance reason and experience and thus destroy the fine balance that existed. Experience of God was now the foundation to trust truth and the legacy remains with us to today. Pentecostalism and Charimatics could not and did not exist as a separate entity based on experientialism until Wesley laid the groundwork for his second blessing doctrines based on experience (not his experience mind you, he was alway honest enough to say he never experienced the cleansing but he preached it based on the witness of others, especially women).

The Orthodox rank Scripture and Tradition as a united thread, neither one being against the other. We call it Holy Scripture and Holy Tradition. In my weak opinion, after studying this matter for well over a decade it is -my- opinion that properly understood the Orthodox position is unassailable. :)

Any orthodox that teaches anything better be ready to support his teachings with -both- Scripture AND Tradition (usually prayers, worship actions, quotes of the early fathers, creeds, church councils etc).

Peace and grace



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