Talk:Mormonism

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This article needs to be brought into conformity with the guidelines listed at Category:Non-Orthodox, specifically that the majority of its content be directly relevant to the Orthodox Church. —Dcn. Andrew talk random contribs 11:01, July 14, 2006 (CDT)

I went ahead and performed the alterations to make this article conform more to an Orthodox point-of-view. When I initially wrote it, my intentions were to show Mormonism's faults. I guess I just didn't vocalize it enough. Thank you for pointing this out to me.

Mike 14:33, August 26, 2006 (CDT)

Editing Article

As an Orthodox Christian who was a Mormon for ten years (and a Mormon Elder--an office in their "priesthood"--for part of that time), I thought I might be able to expand upon and improve this article. I'll keep working on it as I am able, and as God allows. I will try to keep it relevant to specifically Orthodox issues; if anyone sees anything needing improvment in what I have written, please feel free to correct it, or bring it to my attention! -- Jimjenk 18:47, January 26, 2008 (PST)

Another External Link

Hey there, I'm first entering text on this discussion page for prior approval for an external link, and giving some disclosures (that I don't know are/not important, but might be appreciated). The link is to a video on Mormonism and the trend in about the last decade to claim it's Christian (rather than its historical denial and teaching against being Christian, and that Christianity is vile, etc. etc.); the link is here, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijUc7NI2O28&feature=player_embedded. I posted first in discussion because the speaker (James White) has been the subject of controversy in Eastern Ortho circles, having debated (many times) Roman Apologists and in those debates, touched upon subjects of interest to E.O. (and not favorably, many times, to what E.O. teaches). That said, it's a very decent vid touching on a missing topic (missing from this article), and not all the guy's material is disliked by E.O. circles (as a matter of fact some of his work I've seen E.O. Christian recommending). I thought it would be a good idea to request thought and input, being a newcomer (well, as an editor) to this wiki: to respect the community, so to speak.

Speaking, by the way, of material by that fella of interest to the E.O. community, here's one, http://vintage.aomin.org/1296CATR.html

TheResearchPersona 16:46, September 24, 2009 (UTC)

Attaining to "Godhood": Marriage for Eternity

I'm curious if there is support for the statement ending this sub-section: "The Orthodox Church has traditionally rejected this concept." Presumably the object of "this" is a teaching on Marriage for Eternity?

I ask because Fr. John Meyendorff seems to be teaching opposite to this statement, as indicated in this excerpt:

When he speaks of widowhood, St. Paul presupposes that marriage is not broken by death, for “love never fails” (Cor. 13:8). In general, Paul’s attitude toward marriage is clearly distinct from the Jewish rabbinic view in that—especially in I Corinthians—he gives such strong preference to celibacy over marriage. Only in Ephesians is this negative view corrected by the doctrine of marriage as a reflection of the union between Christ and the Church—a doctrine which became the basis of the entire theological marriage as found in the Orthodox tradition.

However, on one issue—the remarriage of widowers—Paul’s view, as it is expressed in I Corinthians, is strictly upheld by the canonical and sacramental tradition of the Church: “If they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn” (I Corinthians 7:9). Second, marriage—either of a widower or of a divorcee—is only tolerated as better than “burning.” Until the tenth century it was not blessed in church and, even today, it remains an obstacle for entering the clergy.

Our contemporary rote for blessing second marriages also shows clearly that it is admitted only by condescension. In any case, Scripture and Tradition agree that faithfulness of the widower or the widow to his or her deceased partner is more than an “ideal”; it is a Christian norm. Christian marriage is not only an earthly sexual union, but an eternal bond which will continue when our bodies will be “spiritual” and when Christ will be “all in all.”

These three examples clearly show that in the New Testament a totally new concept of marriage is being introduced—it is directly dependent upon the “Good News” of the of Resurrection which was brought by Christ. A Christian is called—already in this world—to experience new life, to become a citizen of the Kingdom, and he can do so in marriage. But then marriage ceases to be either a simple satisfaction of temporary natural urges, or a means for securing an illusory survival through posterity. It is a unique union of two beings in love, two beings who can transcend their own humanity and thus be united not only “with each other,” but also “in Christ.”

Marriage: An Orthodox Perspective pp. 13-16