Reader Paul - "No Church Has Perfect Theology!" - When Protestants Give Up On Truth

Summary

In this video, the speaker addresses a common Protestant defense: 'no denomination has perfect theology.' They argue that such a perspective undermines the very concept of objective truth in Christianity, leading to theological subjectivism. The speaker critiques this stance as both a defense mechanism and a way of normalizing heresy, urging Orthodox Christians to maintain the conviction that the true Christian faith has been preserved in its fullness by the Orthodox Church. The video challenges the idea that all churches have some error, asserting that embracing this view leads to an ungrounded and fragmented understanding of the faith.

Takeaways

• 😀 The phrase 'no denomination has everything right' is often used by Protestants as a defensive mechanism when their theological errors are pointed out.
• 😀 Such a response implies a surrender of the pursuit of objective truth and embraces theological subjectivism, which undermines the integrity of Christianity.
• 😀 A humble truth seeker, when shown to be in error, would seek further understanding and resources, rather than dismissing the issue with trivializations.
• 😀 Orthodox Christians claim that the true Christian faith has been preserved in its fullness by the Holy Orthodox Church, unlike other denominations.
• 😀 Claiming that no church has perfect theology leads to a theological relativism where all theological errors are normalized and viewed as acceptable.
• 😀 The assertion that every denomination teaches some form of heresy is problematic, as it would undermine the objective truth of Christianity.
• 😀 Rejecting the existence of a true church that preserved the faith consistently across generations leads to a belief that theological truth is unknowable and subjective.
• 😀 Denominations that claim to have preserved the Christian truth are often accused of elitism or pride, a charge that is often made by the very groups that evangelize others with the same claim of possessing the truth.
• 😀 The Orthodox position affirms that there is only one true Christian faith, and anything that deviates from this singular truth is not objectively Christian.
• 😀 To claim that no denomination has the full truth is to argue that Christians are left to figure out the faith on their own without an authoritative source to impart the true Christian faith to them.
• 😀 True Christian epistemology relies on a historically preserved ecclesial body that imparts the faith through the church, rather than individuals interpreting the Bible on their own.

Q & A

What does the phrase 'No denomination has everything right' imply in the context of the video?

The phrase is used to assert that no church or denomination possesses perfect theology. It suggests that every denomination has flaws, and therefore, no single ecclesial body can claim to have the full, unaltered truth of the Christian faith.

What are the two realities the speaker claims are evident when someone uses the phrase 'No denomination has everything right'?

The two realities are: 1) The person is genuinely ignorant about the implications of their statement and doesn't realize it leads to theological subjectivism, or 2) They have hardened their heart and prefer embracing theological subjectivism over accepting the truth of Orthodoxy.

What is the main problem with the argument that no denomination has perfect theology?

The main issue is that it undermines the objective truth of Christianity by implying that no single church can preserve the true faith, which ultimately leads to a subjective understanding of theology where truth becomes relative and ungrounded.

How does the speaker describe the attitude of someone who defends the idea that no denomination has perfect theology?

The speaker describes this attitude as one of pride or defensiveness, where the person rejects or trivializes the correction of theological errors in favor of maintaining a position that avoids confronting uncomfortable truths.

What is the recommended approach when engaging with someone who defends this idea?

The speaker suggests staying calm, not getting flustered, and recognizing that accusations of pride or arrogance are often rooted in insecurity. Engaging with the person respectfully, offering resources for further study, and disengaging if necessary are practical steps to take.

What is the logical consequence of claiming that no ecclesial body preserves the true Christian faith?

If no ecclesial body preserves the true faith, then all ecclesial bodies are reduced to heretical bodies, and this leads to the abandonment of objective truth, turning Christian faith into something subjective and fragmented.

How does the speaker view the claim that believing heresy is a normal part of the Christian experience?

The speaker strongly rejects this view, asserting that such a position normalizes heresy and undermines the pursuit of truth, making it seem acceptable to embrace theological errors as part of the Christian experience.

What is the perceived contradiction in accusing Orthodox Christians of elitism for claiming to possess the full truth of the faith?

The speaker points out the hypocrisy in accusing Orthodox Christians of elitism while many other Christian groups make similar truth claims to unbelievers. The speaker argues that claiming to possess the truth is not elitism but necessary for a coherent Christian worldview.

What is the core problem with the Protestant paradigm, according to the speaker?

The core issue is that the Protestant paradigm leads to the impossibility of knowing the true Christian faith. It detaches individuals from a church that has preserved the faith and leaves them to figure out the truth on their own, which the speaker sees as a flawed and unbiblical approach.

What does the speaker suggest is the correct approach to understanding the Christian faith?

The speaker emphasizes that the Orthodox understanding of the Christian faith is grounded in a historical church that has preserved the full deposit of faith. The believer should join themselves to the church and receive the faith through catechesis, rather than approaching it from an individualistic, self-directed perspective.