Expert: Marvin Howard - 4/8/2011

Question
QUESTION: -Is There a Higher Theology For Man, Than Knowing God personally -person to PERSON-?

True Theologians
"He is not here; for he is risen” (Matthew 28, 6)
From the island of Cyprus (Acts 13:4,5).

Beloved Christian brothers and sisters,
There are those today who live in not so distant places that have a real life person to Person relationship with Lord Jesus!
These humble words that are shared with brotherly love and respect, point out to the kind of relationship man was made to have with our Lord Jesus Christ. The following paragraphs, where taken from the book of Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos Entreaty” (Paraklitika), and it is knowledge that must be shared with all those who have Lord Jesus Christ as their Heavenly Father.

“Those who have made their selves worthy to see God are the True Theologians. Saint Gregorios the Theologian taught that those who saw God like Apostle Paul can safely theologize, because the sight of God cleans them from all fantasy, and renders them true preachers of the truth making them explicitly different from philosophers and philosophies”.

Metropolitan Hierotheos who is member of the Holy Synod of the Greek Orthodox Church continues in his book:

“It is with a lot of awe and fear of God that we dare write here that even today there are Saints (that are alive today) who saw and see Christ in the Light, they converse with him, and stay in His Sight for days and even weeks. We have been blessed by God to personally meet such people who saw Christ in His Divine Light, who attest to the fact that Lord Jesus is a True God, the only Savior of man, our only hope for Eternal Life, our only way out of the dead end that we have reached”. (John 17:3)  “And eternal life means knowing you (personally), the only true God, and knowing Jesus Christ, whom you send”

Saint Gregorios (3rd century) description of his personal experience who saw Christ in His Divine Light is used as an example to describe how the Saints are able  (became worthy), to see and know God in His Divine Glory.

“UNDER   CONDITIONS OF CONTINUED PRAYER AND UPWARD EXTENSION THAT HAVE AS CLIMAX THE UNION WITH GOD, MAN IS POSSESSED ENTIRELY FROM LIGHT OF DIVINE GLORY THAT IS SEND FOURTH ETERNALLY FROM THE TRIAD. AFTER THE MIND IS SEIZED FROM THE DIVINE LIGHT AND ENTERS THE LIGHT IT BECOMES ITS SELF-LIGHT. THUS LIKE LIGHT, IT SEES LIGHT”

A notion, which Saint Symeon goes to great lengths to clarify in his writings, is that of the Divine Light as personal.  It is not simply a sensible radiance—an inanimate luminosity such as one might receive from a lamp, or from the sun.  Rather the Divine Light is the very ‘Person’ of the Divinity Himself: it is not simply a product of God, it is God.  “Your light, O my God, is You”, he writes, and to this point of emphasis he often returns. Saint Symeon is also known to emphasise in his teachings… “If we don’t see Lord Jesus in this life…we will never see Him ever”!

There is no other theology higher than being in the presence (union) with God. The object and the purpose of our Christian Life is enabling our selves in His Divine presence by becoming in His Likeness (“Be Holy because I am Holy” (Peter 1, 16)  through a THERAPY that was delivered to the Apostles the day of Pentecost ONCE AND FOR ALL  2000 years ago!  

Orthodoxy teaches that it has an unbroken Holy Tradition of spiritual knowledge a way of life (in and out the Church) that leads to the mystical union with God. This mystical union is also known as Sainthood, Supernatural condition, the overcoming of mans mortality state, or being a god by the Grace of God. They also teach that it is not possible for this union to become an object of any kind of an academic study that can “discover” or “deepen” in the knowledge, because Christianity is all about Divine Grace.

The people of the Nations belonging to Orthodox Christianity will never claim that they have discovered the road (THERAPY) for Salvation. However they will tell you that their prime directive and responsibility has always been to keep everything that was passed down from Jesus (the Holy Spirit) and the Apostles u n c h a n g e d for these methods and teachings that were put forward for the Salvation of all man constitute or sum up the Divine Will of God.

To know Lord Jesus philosophically is to have a love relationship with an idea “philosophy” and not Lord Himself who appears to his Saints in His Divine Light as a PERSON! This why the Greek Orthodox Church teaches that, -Man has a Divine Inheritance (the Church) and a Divine Destination (Eternal Life, Holiness)  

Interesting relating Internet addresses:
ORTHODOX-PSYCHOTHERAPY

http://www.greekorthodoxchurch.org/orthodox_psychotherapy.html  
Lord Jesus did not come to teach philosophically but THERAPEUTICALLY.
The personal experience of the Saints begotten during conduct with Divine Light is the very base of Orthodox theology.
The term "Orthodox Psychotherapy" does not refer to specific cases of people suffering from psychological problems of neurosis. Rather it refers to all people, for it is the darkening of the “nous” (mind) a condition disabling man to ever have communion (PERSON to person) with God.

HOLY LIGHT
http://www.oodegr.com/english/ekklisia/holylight.htm  
(Miracle of Holy Light in Jerusalem: Testimonies and Evidence)

An awesome miracle on film that takes place Orthodox Saturday Easter (ONLY) during Divine Liturgy each year for about 1670 years at the spot our Lord Jesus was born, in the Temple of Nativity in Jerusalem
This miracle can be downloaded in -Google Greek- in case you were not able to download it.
Those who see this film, can reflect back to the Old Testament and clearly understand how the fire did not burn, and how the fire was in essence Gods Holy Light, Gods Holy Fire.
I belong to no organization and no one pays me.    
God bless,
your friend and servant

Constantinos (J.W) 357(Cyprus)  99873390 (mobile)

ANSWER: Hi!

James, I got lost reading some of your explanations. It is terribly complicated. Nevertheless, I understood enough to know it is a doctrine predicated on the omission of a prophecy. To understand the prophecy, you must first understand some of the terms IN the prophecy.

Under the Hebrew system of Law, sins were never gone completely. Rather, they were rolled into the future just one year at a time at the Day of Atonement. They were always within reach. When were the sins of people to be cast into the sea; when the sins were gone forever? That was to happen at the resurrection. This is the "when" of the prophecy.

Now, let's look at the "how long" of the prophecy. The "when" of this prophecy was only supposed to last for a certain number ("according to") of "days." How long was Moses leading the Israelites in the wilderness? It was 40 years.

Let's put these two pieces together before we look at the "what" of the prophecy. When Christ came, something was going to happen that would only last the same number of days as the Exodus; 40 years. Now, let's look at the prophecy to discover the "what."

Micah 7:15-20, "ACCORDING TO THE DAYS OF THY COMING OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT will I shew unto him MARVELLOUS THINGS. The nations shall see and be confounded at all their might: they shall lay their hand upon their mouth, their ears shall be deaf. They shall lick the dust like a serpent, they shall move out of their holes like worms of the earth: they shall be afraid of the LORD our God, and shall fear because of thee. Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou WILT CAST ALL THEIR SINS INTO THE DEPTHS OF THE SEA. Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob, and the mercy to Abraham, which thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the days of old." Emphasis in caps mine, MRH)

The Hebrew word for "marvellous things" is the same Hebrew word translated "miracles" elsewhere (פּלא). So, miracles were only to last 40 years. In other words, they ended about 70 A.D. Now, before a claim is made that only certain miracles were to end (by adding something to this passage that is not present), what miracles does the Bible say would end?

1st Corinthians 13:8, "Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away."

Miraculous knowledge, such as you claim, ended in 70 A.D. Whatever vibes you are receiving are not coming from God. They are from another source, and to be discarded with haste, along with the religion that is teaching against the Word of God.

A theologian is nothing more than a person who "rightly divides" (2nd Timothy 2:15) the Word of truth, the Theos Logos (θεός λόγος), the Word of God as written in the Bible. There is no mystery or miracle involved in the process any more.

James, I pray you will reconsider your religion in favor of Christianity. If I can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to ask.

In His Service,
Marvin Howard

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Dear Marvin
The Church of Cyprus was the 2nd Christian Church ever creaded after the one in Jerusalem. After the scism of the Church in 1054 the "new churches" took the Bible and "throw way" the Church that wrote it. The word Church is written n the Holy Bible 104 Times!

Bishops in His Church.
Lazarus the resurrected friend of Lord Jesus was a Cyprus Bishop for 32 years. (Come here to Cyprus see his sepulchre)

James, the brother of Jesus (the son of Joseph) was the first Bishop of Jerusalem.

Zackhaios  ( Luke 19: 1,10,) followed Paul and afterwards became the Bishop of Caesarea. The Church celebrates him as Saint and an isapostle (equal the Apostles) the 20 of April each year. The question here is. How could the Apostles write the Holy Bible excluding at the same time the need for their presence in the Church as Bishops and Priest?

Mark (the Evangelist who had Cypriot parents), who came here to Cyprus with Paul (Acts 13:4,5) later created the Church of Alexandria and then ordained its bishops.

The Holy Bible.
The correct books of the Holy Bible that we have in our hands today were separated from the false ones during a small Cannon meeting 149AD of the Bishops of the Church whose work was later validated and was designated as the Churches 85th Cannon the year 325AD during the 1st Ecumenical Synod in Constantinople.
The men that took place in the small canonical Synod in 149 were all Bishops of the Church. They all held Church services confessed peoples sins, Prayed and took Holy Communion as the Bishops of the Orthodox Church do today. The Church is the BODY of Christ (Α Colossians 1:18) “He is the head of his body, the Church; He is the source of the body’s life”, who act as our mediador and hight prist for the remidance of our sins.(Hebrews 5:5) “Christ did not take the honour of being High Priest by Himself. God Himself gave this honour to Him. You will be a priest forever in the priestly order of Melchizedek”.
The people of the Nations belonging to Orthodox Christianity will never claim that they have discovered the road (THERAPY) for Salvation. However they will tell you that their prime directive and responsibility has always been to keep everything that was passed down from Jesus (the Holy Spirit) and the Apostles u n c h a n g e d for these methods and teachings that were put forward for the Salvation of all man constitute or sum up the Divine Will of God.
Respectfully
Constantinos

ANSWER: Hi!

Constantinos, I apologize for the misunderstanding on the name. I simply used the one you gave to AllExperts.

I do not doubt that the congregation of the church in Cyprus was the second established. Nevertheless, that is not the only criteria for determining faithfllness. There is also the seed principle put forth by Christ in the parable of the sower. If the Bible is sowed, Christians will be the fruit. If something else is sowed, something else will be produced.

People often listen to denominational dogma about the churches of Christ. In so doing, they errantly believe we are a new denomination founded by Stone and Campbell. In 533 A.D, catholicism (Roman) finished its split from the church. It became a distinct religion, separate from Christianity. She became a harlot, selling the truth for the wages of convenience. In 1054, Greek catholicism broke from the Roman brand. It, in turn, created yet another divergent religion. It saddens me that the church in Cyprus cholse to follow this new religion, thus removing their candlestick. Greek "Orthodoxy" is a religion invented nearly 1000 years too late to be Christian.

Just in case you do not have access to a site where I posted it, I will give you an article on church history. Below is the article.

I want to make sure that you get this message if no other. Below is a question I received through AllExperts.com. The name is withheld for privacy purposes. Those of you who are among my reviewers of AllExperts have already received this within the past few days. Please forgive the redundancy, but this is a subject that should be known by all.

**************************************

Hi,

Are the Churches of Christ part of the Restoration movement? What is Restorationism? Who started it and what is its history? Was it started in the USA? Is it similar to the Congregationalist Church, or the Baptist Church? Tell me whatever you can. Thanks.

-(Name Withheld)

**************************************

Hi!

(Name Withheld), thank you for the chance to answer this for you. I love the subject of church history, even though it is one of my weakest subjects in my opinion (at least during the era of pre-1793). I will do my best to research this for you. You actually asked several questions. Please allow me to answer these for you separately. However, to be logical, I must rearrange the order.

1. Is (the church of Christ) similar to the Congregationalist Church?

The congregationalists appear similar to the church in some respects. They claim to follow the same God, claim the same savior, and are part of the worldwide delusion that Christ built many churches (contrary to Matthew 16:18 and Ephesians 4:4 in conjunction with Colossians 1:18). Even catholicism has bent to this position in recent years: it is called the “Ecumenical Movement.”

Nevertheless, I submit to you that we are not similar. It is merely an illusion (2nd Corinthians 11:4). I submit to you that congregationalists are not part of a church at all, but are imposters. They pay lip service to God and Christ out of one side of their collective mouths, and call Them liars out of the other. There are many differences, almost too numerous to list. The biggest difference is on how to become a Christian. The church of Christ insists that we are saved by all the things the Bible says save us. The congregationalists either eliminate or change most of them.

2. Is (the church of Christ) similar to the Baptist Church?

Everything I previously said about the congregationalists can be said of the baptists. Even so, while the baptists disagree with the Bible on how to become a Christian, they also disagree with the congregationalists on the same issue.

As a course of provable fact, every denomination disagrees with the Bible on how to become a Christian. Many of them even disagree with one another on this most important issue. With all the arguments, it is no wonder that a lost and dying world is confused. If one will disregard the various teachings and creeds written by men, and return to the Bible, such confusion dissipates. This brings us to the next logical question.

3. What is Restorationism?

Most people believe that the Restoration was a restoring of the church. Restorationism is nothing more than a return to the Bible; a restoring of man to the original and contiguous (Romans 16:16) church of Christ. The church itself needed no restoring, contrary to much opinion even within the church. I will explain this further in answer to another question. The Restoration differs greatly from the Reformation. The Reformation began with Luther. Rather than going back to the church (he knew catholicism was in apostasy), he simply tried to change catholicism (if you can say that changing such a monstrous system is simple).

Since Luther, like every other founder of a denomination, retained many of the apostate teachings of catholicism, every denomination teaches some of the same falsehoods as if they were truth. In effect, they call God, Jesus, and the Spirit liars. It is far better to accept the religion founded by Christ, rather than join one created by man out of thin air. I phrase it this way (instead of “whole cloth”) as cloth is at least a visible substance. These people had no substance from which they could found a religion and claim that it is Christian.

4. What is (Restorationism’s) history?

This question is quite broad. I presume, like most of the modern world that even acknowledges a Restoration, that you heard it began in America with Stone and the Campbells. In America, it actually started earlier than that, and even with other men. The Campbells are just the most prominent. I will get to that. That is a recent development in the history of the church; and in Restorationism.

The church and catholicism did not completely part ways until 533 A.D. It was during this year when Justinian renamed himself John II, and declared himself to be “Lord of the church” in place of Jesus. Nevertheless, the split actually began before the end of Scripture. In 1st Corinthians 1:12, we find Paul’s condemnation of the church of Cephas (Peter) which continues today as catholicism. Until this time (533) the church and the apostates were still loosely connected and there was no need for the church to hide, even though sporadic instances of persecution to the death already existed. After 533, the church went into hiding from catholicism (as prophesied in Revelation 12:6) as catholicism became more militant; connected with the Roman Emperors.

The first known, Christian martyr at the hands of catholicism was a Spanish elder/bishop: Priscillianus. He was murdered by the apostates (ironically it was catholicism calling him an apostate or heretic) in 385; some 148 years before the two bodies finally parted ways officially. With the length of communication times in the fourth century (hampered by modes of travel across great distances), and the fact that this death occurred only 4 years after the Nicene council (where catholic doctrine was first codified from 325 to 381) was dismissed, we cannot be sure exactly which doctrines of catholicism he fought. However, since the false doctrines were relatively few (as catholicism had not fully digressed and is actually still digressing), it is likely that it was all of them.

We know that Priscillianus was evangelistic in nature from history. After the split, Germany was highly catholic, as evidenced by this being the point of origin of protestantism, specifically Germany being the home of Luther. Whether Priscillianus founded a congregation of the church of Christ in Trier (where he died in western regions of the Rhineland or modern day Germany) prior to his death cannot be proven, though it is highly likely as other, later congregations came from somewhere.

The ideas of sprinkling in place of immersion and infant baptism were first put forth in 150 A.D. (at least 54 years too late to be Scriptural). It was not made official doctrine in catholicism until about 400, when it gained enough popularity and practice. Priscillianus was killed just 15 years before it became official; while it had already become widely accepted. That Priscillianus rebaptized people (while still in Spain) showed that he did not accept their rhontism (sprinkling/pouring/aspersion) as baptism.

From 385, we next come to the years 415 to 428. Instead of Spain and Germany, we find the same practices and beliefs in England. The catholic bishop Germanus complained that Cassian was ignoring the edicts of catholicism, and preaching “heresies” which were actually the truth from Scripture. Take special notice, we have churches of Christ (at least by practice) in opposition to the doctrines of catholicism, now in 2 (if not 3) different nations in Europe, 100 years or more before the prophesied split in 533.

Even though the “Church” of England (later including American episcopalianism) began in 1534, it retained much of catholicism. Catholics viewed it simply as a schism on par with Eastern Orthodoxy, rather than full blown apostasy. The martyrdom was therefore sporadic. This allowed England to remain a hotbed of Christian activity and even survive the extermination of Christianity throughout the rest of Europe.

One point which must be understood and remembered is that “church of Christ” is not actually a name. Rather, it is simply a description. The church is nothing more than a term meaning, “the called out.” The church is comprised of the people that are called out of the world. The “church of Christ” is simply those people who are called out of the world, and belong to Christ. Its use as an identifiable designation only came about to distinguish the church from the myriad, false religions that claim to be the same thing.

Also, you must remember that the church was going into hiding from catholicism. They, being predominate (though wrong), wrote the history. Their history is rife with groups of people who they thought to be apostates. Many of these groups actually spoke the truth, even though it differed from catholicism.

For these reasons, the history of the church is hard to trace. We did not always refer to ourselves solely as “churches of Christ.” Since there was no common designation, catholicism used their power of the pen to label us as many different things, believing they had eradicated their problem (the true church). These designations were based upon the false charges aimed at the church. They could not conceive that they failed and that we would “pop up” again in another location. The catholics therefore believed they were dealing with several different problems. Additionally, the catholics lied about charges of false doctrine to gain quick convictions and sentences of death. Therefore, much of that which was leveled against us is different in each location. They used whatever false charge they thought would work best in any given location. These made us appear to the world to be several, smaller splinter groups. Congregational autonomy (the Scriptural way of church organization) makes it hard to prove otherwise, especially at earlier times in history.

The earliest point in time (outside of the Bible) where congregations, who referred to themselves specifically as “churches of Christ,” can be found is in the year 1052. (New Note Not in the Original Article: This is two years even before the invention of Greek "Orthodoxy") Catholics at that time referred to us as “Anabaptists,” or in other words, “rebaptizers.” (Note: This is not to be confused with a branch of the baptists, which came later, though they chose that designation for themselves.) The location is central Germany; specifically named is Lorraine (later Alsace-Lorraine). There are “several congregations” of the churches of Christ who are renounced by archbishop Cambrai of catholicism. They practiced the same doctrines that we practice in the church today. If there are several congregations already in 1052, then they obviously started much earlier. This is why I believe that in spite of the heavy catholicism in the area that Priscillianus must have started at least one congregation there prior to his death.

Between 1118 and 1518 the catholics and the German Emperor took turns (depending on who was in power) martyring Christians as they were discovered. About 4,000 (all throughout Central Europe) died as a result of persecution during these four centuries. Thus, the churches of Christ in Alsace-Lorraine are partially responsible for the influence that led Martin Luther to break from catholicism. Specifically, even though Luther likely never heard of their teachings (else wise he would have left catholicism to become a Christian rather than try to change catholicism), Luther did object to the way the Christians were murdered by catholicism. In fact, Luther was even suspected by catholicism of being “in close connection with the heretical churches of Christ in Alsatia (the region of Alsace).” This (along with the practice of indulgences) caused him to question the catholic faith, and later seek to change the things he knew to be wrong (although he missed many, yea the majority). The result was his 95 theses in 1517. Nevertheless, the churches of Christ in Europe, because of protestantism, now faced persecution from two sources; both catholicism and protestantism.

The year 1146 brings evidence of churches of Christ, in full fellowship with the churches of Christ in Lorraine, located in The Netherlands.

Next, between 1518 and 1538, we find evidence of churches of Christ in the Palatinate (a region also on the Rhine River, now a part of Germany), Austria, Moravia, and in the center of Germany. In 1525, we find evidence of churches of Christ in Yugoslavia and Switzerland.

Luther was a threat. When he founded his “church” in 1520, catholics knew they had a problem. Churches of Christ were mistakenly lumped together with them. Catholics were running scared, and killing everyone (Christian and protestant alike). Catholics were no longer satisfied with killing Christians as they were accidentally found; now they were actually hunted. In Alsace-Lorraine alone, out of nearly 100,000 members of the churches of Christ, about 42,000 were burned for not renouncing Christianity in favor of catholicism. This massacre occurred from about 1525 to 1536. Circumstances were similar everywhere. The result was the near extermination of the church in Europe.

By 1595, The Christians in Alsace-Lorraine numbered merely 1,000. Most congregations had been extinguished. Congregations in Moravia, though severely depleted in membership, managed to flee to Hungary, Poland, Ukraine, and Crimea. By 1799, Eulogius Schneider (a catholic priest) beheaded the last three martyrs for not participating with Napoleon in the French Revolution. Of special note of this date, it is 23 years after the American Revolution (1776) and only 6 years after 1793 (which is 1260 years after the break of the church with catholicism).

The one good thing that came from the resulting Reformation was the desire for religious freedom. This was first realized in The United States. This allowed the church to emerge from its hiding exactly 1260 years after it had entered the Dark Ages in 533. This brings us to your fifth question.

5. Was (Restorationism) started in the U.S.A.?

The answer to this is dependent upon your definition of Restorationism. You see, Restorationism actually occurs every time one person is added to Christ’s church, rather than picking one of their choice from a list of others. This has been going on since the Pentecost following the resurrection. No one person started Restorationism.

If you consider Restorationism by its actual definition (individually), then no, Restorationism did not begin in America. If you consider Restorationism as congregations (post catholicism) wearing the designation “churches of Christ,” then no, Restorationism did not begin in America. Besides those congregations mentioned in Scripture (Romans 16:16), there were congregations in Europe more than half a millennium before there was a United States of America.” However, if you are referring to the “Restoration Movement,” where people left false religions en masse for Christianity, then yes, Restorationism did begin in America. I believe this leaves us with but one of your questions remaining.

6. Who started (Restorationism)?

Even though I gave you history in Europe during previous answers, that was minor. Nevertheless, I determined to save this question for “The Restoration Movement,” as it happened in America. As I stated earlier, I believe this is the actual, main thrust of your questions.

I can only begin your research for you. Rather than giving circumstances and locations for each of these fathers of “The Restoration Movement,” I am going to name them and list the year they began their work toward this end. I will allow you to research them to see the circumstances of each.

Before I do, I want to remind you of my repeated references to the years 533, 1776, 1793, and 1799. In 533, Justinian declared himself “Lord of the church,” in place of Christ (completing catholicism’s break and forcing the true church into hiding). In Revelation 12:6, the church was prophesied to remain in this hiding condition for 1260 prophetic days. In 1776, the American Revolution began, giving religious freedom to us. In 1793, just 17 years later (and 1260 years after 533), the church was to emerge from hiding. In 1799 (just 6 years after the church’s emergence from its prophetic hiding), the church in Europe died (and is now awaiting us to carry them the Gospel, and religious freedom). With these thoughts in mind, take notice of the first year on the list of “Restoration Movement” fathers.

James O’Kelley – 1793

Abner Jones – 1801

Elias Smith – 1802

Thomas Campbell – 1809

John Mulkey – 1809

Christian Herman Dasher – 1819

John Taylor – 1827

Alexander Campbell – 1826

Wade Barrett – 1832

Jesse Londerman Sewell – 1842

Each of these was independent of the others. The first year of the “Restoration Movement” matches the prophecy of Revelation 12:6. There is no way this is all coincidence. The “Restoration Movement” and the modern day churches of Christ are foretold in the Bible, where it also states there is only one church. Where does that leave the other institutions that claim to be churches?

(Name Withheld), once again I thank you for the opportunity to be of service to you. I pray this study of history has proven beneficial. It has for me. I sincerely hope that you now have the knowledge of Christ’s church that you might become convinced to respond to Him; if you have not done so already.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The Orthodox have nothing to do with Catholics after the scism 1054 AC  that took place mostly because the Pope wanted to indruce things that were un known to the Church as creaderd by the Apostles the day of Pentecost.
The message of the council in 787 A.D just before the scism was clear.  

VIIth Ecumenical Council, 787 A.D.
The Synodal of Orthodoxy.
What the Prophets saw, what the Apostles preached, and the Church received and the Teachers (of the Church) indoctrinated, and the inhabited world (Ecumene) accepted in agreement, as the Grace shone, as the truth was proved, as falsehood was driven away, as the wisdom obtained outspokenness, as Christ hath confirmed all this by His reward: the same do we believe, equally do we speak, likewise do we preach Christ our true God, and we honour His Saints through words, scriptures, seasonings, and services, either in temples or in icons, worshipping the first as God and Master through our reverence, and venerating the second as His genuine Servants who have the same Master with us, honouring also them in a relative manner.
This is the Faith of the Apostles. This is the faith of the Fathers (of the Church). This is the faith of the Orthodox. This is the faith that hath supported the human universe (Ecumene).
This text was proclaimed in the ceremony of the Restoration of the icons, March 11th 843 A.D.,when Theodora was on the throne of the Byzantine Empire.(She finished her life as a nun and her incorrupted body is kept in the Orthodox Metropolitan church of the island of Corfu (occidental Greece)and works miracles to this day.
Since that date this text is read in church on the «Sunday of Orthodoxy», the first Sunday of Great Lent,in order to commemorate this important event which expresses the victory of Orthodoxy over heresies.Being a sranger to the Church as creded by the Aposled you will be a stranger allwys as to -WHO- Lord Jesus is and -WHY- he came. This is why you will never understand why -Man has a divine inheritnce and a divine destination-
People today are victms of their forfathers actions, just like all of us are victoms of the actions of Adam and Eve.
Blessings,
Constantinos

Answer
Hi!

I did state that at the 1054 split, you made a separate religion from Romanism.

At the same time, I also proved you demonstrate a sound disbelief in Micah 7:15-20. People who disagree with the Bible are not Christians, regardless of any errors they may refute. Miracles ended in approximately 70 A.D. To say they still exist is calling God a liar. Calling God a liar will not help people into Heaven, but quite the opposite.

Your religion is not completely the same as Christianity.