It would be bad to overlook this part Paul wrote too
Catholics do not forbid to marry though. They don’t force you to seek priesthood either so it’s a choice- to me that Scripture isn’t referring to this situation if you look at that entire passage in context.
Agree to disagree with your interpretation which makes sense given I’m a Mennonite seeker and you are Catholic/Orthodox seeker.
I was an Anabaptist seeker and “somewhat” an Orthodox seeker as I was directed to this forum by an Orthodox friend (who was a convert to Orthodox Church but had Anabaptist heritage) - he knew our interest in Anabaptism so sent me to the forum. Because he was a convert himself he felt compelled to introduce us to Orthodox & early Church writers/fathers & original interpretations.
We are not seekers of either but glean from both-
Valerie wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2026 10:47 am
I was an Anabaptist seeker and “somewhat” an Orthodox seeker as I was directed to this forum by an Orthodox friend (who was a convert to Orthodox Church but had Anabaptist heritage) - he knew our interest in Anabaptism so sent me to the forum. Because he was a convert himself he felt compelled to introduce us to Orthodox & early Church writers/fathers & original interpretations.
We are not seekers of either but glean from both-
I mean no offense but you are heavily invested or influenced by those two and oppose Anabaptist views.
Valerie wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2026 10:47 am
I was an Anabaptist seeker and “somewhat” an Orthodox seeker as I was directed to this forum by an Orthodox friend (who was a convert to Orthodox Church but had Anabaptist heritage) - he knew our interest in Anabaptism so sent me to the forum. Because he was a convert himself he felt compelled to introduce us to Orthodox & early Church writers/fathers & original interpretations.
We are not seekers of either but glean from both-
I mean no offense but you are heavily invested or influenced by those two and oppose Anabaptist views.
I don’t oppose most Anabaptist views neither do I see them as infallible. I do give more credence to the earliest written interpretations by those who had the original Apostles as mentors. Later practices are what we are not sure of.
You’d be surprised how often I defend Anabaptists to other types of Christians who criticize or misunderstand some things.
The very orthodox friend who became a priest, actually from Baptist heritage, is completely convinced regarding the orthodox church however, he’s also a driver for the Amish and used to be an Amish school teacher. He refers to the Amish as the salt of the Earth, so you can be an orthodox Christian and believe orthodox interpretations and also admire And a Baptist sex without believing they have all doctrine and interpretations, correct.
Valerie wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2026 11:18 am
The very orthodox friend who became a priest, actually from Baptist heritage, is completely convinced regarding the orthodox church however, he’s also a driver for the Amish and used to be an Amish school teacher. He refers to the Amish as the salt of the Earth, so you can be an orthodox Christian and believe orthodox interpretations and also admire And a Baptist sex without believing they have all doctrine and interpretations, correct.
If the Orthodox Church is so wonderful, why do Orthodox countries like Russia, Greece, etc. look the way they do?
Valerie wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2026 11:18 am
The very orthodox friend who became a priest, actually from Baptist heritage, is completely convinced regarding the orthodox church however, he’s also a driver for the Amish and used to be an Amish school teacher. He refers to the Amish as the salt of the Earth, so you can be an orthodox Christian and believe orthodox interpretations and also admire And a Baptist sex without believing they have all doctrine and interpretations, correct.
If the Orthodox Church is so wonderful, why do Orthodox countries like Russia, Greece, etc. look the way they do?
They certainly aren't Holmes County.
Holmes County has a much shorter history to observe.
Actually historical Christianity, has its ups & downs.
You’ve heard me say our former Smish now Mennonite friend says Holmes County is the most “mixed up” Christianity in the world.
Valerie wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2026 11:18 am
I don’t oppose most Anabaptist views neither do I see them as infallible. I do give more credence to the earliest written interpretations by those who had the original Apostles as mentors. Later practices are what we are not sure of.
Most of the early church practices are not objected to at all. It’s the modern or newer attempting to translate back into the older text when it doesn’t say what is claimed.
I approach the early church writings the same way I approach the Bible. They meant what they said without a complicated interpretation.
The very idea of needing newer text to understand older is ludicrous. The clearest example is iconography.
I think we can learn from 1 Corinthians 10. We don't need to be comparing ourselves to Catholics, or congratulating ourselves on our understanding. And that really doesn't seem to bear a lot of fruit.
12 For we don’t dare classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. But in measuring themselves by themselves and comparing themselves to themselves, they lack understanding. 13 We, however, will not boast beyond measure but according to the measure of the area of ministry that God has assigned to us, which reaches even to you. 14 For we are not overextending ourselves, as if we had not reached you, since we have come to you with the gospel of Christ. 15 We are not boasting beyond measure about other people’s labors. On the contrary, we have the hope that as your faith increases, our area of ministry will be greatly enlarged, 16 so that we may preach the gospel to the regions beyond you without boasting about what has already been done in someone else’s area of ministry. 17 So let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord. 18 For it is not the one commending himself who is approved, but the one the Lord commends. -- 2 Corinthians 10:11-18 (CSB)
This teaches a lot about how to be less worldly ... which brings us back to the topic of this thread ...
1 x
1. Are we discussing the topic? Good.
2. Are we going around and around in a fight? Let's stop doing that.
3. Is there some serious wrongdoing or relational injury? Let's address that, probably not in public and certainly not for show.
Valerie wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2026 11:26 am
Holmes County has a much shorter history to observe.
Actually historical Christianity, has its ups & downs.
You’ve heard me say our former Smish now Mennonite friend says Holmes County is the most “mixed up” Christianity in the world.
An obvious question is why you enjoy driving to Holmes County more than you do going to Parma. (There are more Eastern Orthodox adherents in Ohio than there are Amish in Ohio.)
Bootstrap wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2026 11:31 am
I think we can learn from 1 Corinthians 10. We don't need to be comparing ourselves to Catholics, or congratulating ourselves on our understanding. And that really doesn't seem to bear a lot of fruit.
This teaches a lot about how to be less worldly ... which brings us back to the topic of this thread ...
I suppose I look at not following scripture as worldly. I see Scripture teaching to rebuke false teaching so, how do you define fruit?
Valerie wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2026 11:26 am
Holmes County has a much shorter history to observe.
Actually historical Christianity, has its ups & downs.
You’ve heard me say our former Smish now Mennonite friend says Holmes County is the most “mixed up” Christianity in the world.
An obvious question is why you enjoy driving to Holmes County more than you do going to Parma. (There are more Eastern Orthodox adherents in Ohio than there are Amish in Ohio.)
I’m not my friend. I happen to appreciate a great deal about the people in Holmes County- they show “outwardly “ what Christ does inwardly which fits in this topic because it is not a “worldly” environment there-