Nov 6, 2012 -- 2:12AM, JCarlin wrote:

If I may ask? I have noticed some Presbyterian Churches that seem to be Genesis literalists.  Is this typical of the denomination now?  I do not wish to discuss this, as I have nothing to discuss.  Just curious.

  It's not quite as easy to answer your question as you might think.  The label "Presbyterian" simply refers to a church's "elder government," as opposed to congregational rule (as baptists) or rule by bishops (as Catholics or Episcopalians).  There are many different types of Presbyterians.  The Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC), the Presbyterian and Reformed churches, and a few others would definitely hold to a literal understanding of Genesis.  I would think--and this is an educated guess on my part--that the Presbyterian Church USA and the United Presbyterian Church (UPC) would not.  I apologize in advance if I got any of those wrong.  But the answer to your question is: which Presbyterian group are you talking about?   

Nov 6, 2012 -- 2:12AM, JCarlin wrote:

If I may ask? I have noticed some Presbyterian Churches that seem to be Genesis literalists.  Is this typical of the denomination now?  I do not wish to discuss this, as I have nothing to discuss.  Just curious.

I thought the forum was only for Christians?

deleting the post is fine, please send notification of who is doing the deleting so conversation offline is possible.

Orthodox Christianity is a moving target.  It changes depending on the times and places to which one is referring.  Orthodox for a Roman Catholic is not the same as Orthodox for Pentecostal.  Orthodox for a person who believes the Bible is dictated by God and inerrant, is different from a person who believes Jesus taught with symbols and parables that were not about the literal words being used.  Like the word heretic, I have observed that for many these words simply mean someone does not agree with their view.

Nov 15, 2012 -- 10:34AM, Adelphe wrote:

Orthodox Christianity is simply the ecumenical Nicene Creed and all its implications.  From there, there are three major Christian traditions and within those denominations certain orthodox beliefs above and beyond the Creed, practices, and/or customs.

Yup, I would say that about sums it up. Below is the version I remember from the Catholic mass:

We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
Maker of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father.

Through him all things were made.

For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven:
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,
and was made man.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.

On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son.

With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified.

He has spoken through the Prophets.

We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.

We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.