Expert: Sal - 12/11/2003

Question
Hi Sal,

I'm curious about the Orthodox church.  Can you explain to me why it split from the Roman Catholic?  Was it originally a question of authority?  Regarding Martin Luther, I read that he wanted to throw out the Books of James, Revelation and Hebrews.  I think he disliked the emphasis on good works found in the Book of James, the mention of prayers of the saints, incense and perhaps the reference to the Virgin Mary (queen of heaven?) in Revelation, but I'm not sure what he disliked about Hebrews.  Can you tell me what it was?  Hebrews 5:1 says, '...that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins.'  Since Christ's sacrifice is one sacrifice, why does this verse say 'sacrifices'?  Do you think Martin Luther disliked Hebrews 13:16?: 'But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased' and 13:21, 'make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight...  My final question is about homosexuals.  Do you think sexually active homosexuals, even those who believe in God, are comdemned to hell?  Do you they have to want to change their lifestyle to go to heaven?

Thank you.

Les

Answer
Hi Les:

Nice to hear from you again, my friend.

You are correct that the Eastern Orthodox churches split with the Catholic Church over the issue of authority. The split had strong political overtones. The emperor of Constantinople wanted to rule over Christendom. So the Bishop of Constantinople became the “emperor's bishop”.  The patriarchate of Constantinople was given undue authority over the other Eastern partriarchates by the emperor. A patriarchate is the territory under the authority of the patriarch or highest ranking Bishop.

The Great Schism, as it is called, was the result of a gradual process, not one event. The first cause was simply the fact that the East was very different from the West culturally. They used different rites and spoke different languages. It is undoubtedly true that many misunderstandings arose due to not being able to understand each other.

The rebellion began in 867, but was not complete until 1054. It was began by Photius, Patriarch of Constantinople. There were 5 patriarchates in Christendom. They were Rome, Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem. All the Western churches gave their allegiance directly to the Pope. The Eastern churches gave their allegiance firstly to their own patriarch. This made even the Eastern churches divided among themselves. This was the very situation that St. Paul confronted in the early Corinthian church.

“This is what I mean: One of you will say, ‘I belong to Paul', another, ‘I belong to Apollos', still another, ‘Cephas has my allegiance', and the fourth, ‘I belong to Christ'. Has Christ, then, been divided into parts? Was it Paul who was crucified for you? Was it in Paul's name that you were baptized?” (I Corinthians 1:12-13).

The Eastern churches originally had no problem accepting the Pope's authority. At the first Council of Constantinople in 381, which was attended by Eastern Bishops only, it was confirmed that the Bishop of Rome was the head of the Church. At the Council of Chalcedon in 451 all the bishops agreed that the Pope had supreme authority. From this Council came the affirmation, oft quoted, “Peter has spoken by Leo” (Leo being Pope Leo I). All Eastern Bishops signed a declaration during the pontificate of Pope Hormisdas (514-523) which unhesitatingly affirmed their loyalty to the Bishop of Rome. They stated, “We follow the Apostolic See (papacy) in everything and teach all its laws.” However, when the emperor's influence was felt the Eastern churches forgot about the past affirmations and willingly were lead into schism.

It is undeniable that Christ meant for his Church to be united as one. “There shall be one flock, then, one shepherd (John 10:16). The Eastern Orthodox churches are numerous independent churches. Much like Protestants, the Orthodox churches are not one flock under one shepherd. It is further obvious that Jesus, the Good Shepherd, gave his flock into the hands of the first Pope, St. Peter (see John 21:15-18).

It was under Cerularius, Patriarch of Constantinople, that the schism became final in 1054. He wanted schism because the emperor wanted schism. Rome was the one hindrance to the emperor's plans and ambitions. The first Pope dealt with such ambition in Simon Magus.

“…'Give me that power too…' Peter said in answer: ‘May you and your money rot-thinking that God's gift can be bought!…Your heart is not steadfastly set on God. Reform your evil ways. Pray that the Lord may pardon you for thinking the way you have' “ (Acts 8:19-22).

The Orthodox Bishops who were invited to the councils of Second Lyons (1274) and Florence (1439) admitted that the Orthodox churches should reunite under the authority of Rome. Their advice was not accepted by Constantinople. When they returned home they were received with indignation as betrayers of the Orthodox faith.

Over the years the Eastern orthodox churches have moved further and further from the true Faith. Once only the question of the authority of the Pope separated the Eastern Orthodox from the Catholic. Now it is the use of leavened bread for the Eucharist, divorce and remarriage, the use of artificial birth control, the Filioque Clause in the Nicene Creed…etc. And the list continues to grow the longer the Eastern Orthodox are separated from the Catholic Church. This is a good example of what happens when one leaves the rock of the papacy.

Martin Luther rejected Hebrews because it was “too Jewish”. There is too much talk about a valid priesthood which means a valid sacrifice. Both of which Luther denied. Luther wanted to destroy all Catholic altars in order to end the sacrifice of the Mass. Yet we read in Hebrews, “We have an altar” (13:10).

In Hebrews 5:1 “sacrifices” refers to the continual sacrifices offered by the Jewish high priests (see Hebrews 10:1-4). These sacrifices do not in anyway refer to Jesus' one sacrifice.

I don't think that Luther had any problem with Hebrews 13:16 nor 13:21. He certainly has problems with a passage in between those two passages.

“Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls as men who must render account. So act that they may fulfill their task with joy, not with sorrow, for that would be harmful to you” (13:17).

Luther certainly failed to obey leaders and to not make them work in sorrow.

Sexually active homosexuals are not necessarily condemned to hell,that determination belongs to God alone.  God's Church gives good guidance here. As with any sin, for it to be mortal it must be concerning serious matter, the sinner must have full knowledge that the act is wrong, and must commit the act with full consent.

I pray that this was helpful to you, Les.

God Bless You,
Sal