"Condemnation was inevitable. Maximus was cruelly tortured, had his tongue and right hand amputated, and he was exiled to Lazica in the Caucasus. He died there in August, 662."
"No protests came either from Rome, or from any other part of the Christian world."
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This is despicable, not only the treatment of a fellow believer because he dissented from the "consensus", but also because everyone else who noticed did not say anything in protest. It reminds me of the recent COVID episode in which the same pattern occurred.
If the Church would do something like this (or worse) to its own people for deviating from the officially established "truth", then why would anyone want to become a part of it? Were heathens treated better (or worse) than disciples? This, it seems to me, might be a critical part in the decision to convert to the faith or to remain as far from it as possible.
While Christians today do not practice such methods physically, it can be said that their social and spiritual conduct often mirrors them. Small, often inconsequential, differences in doctrine cause major rifts in relationships which result in believers within one thought might not even speak to or associate with others unless compelled by circumstance. This attitude (and action) can be likened to the Pharisee and the scribe drawing in their robes and skirting around the badly beaten man on the road to Jericho because they would be tainted if they happened to touch him. Much of modern Christianity is no different.
It is here that your concept of the 'singular hall, but many rooms' becomes valid and I do appreciate your continual pounding (and expounding) on the matter. We have had enough of the idea that it is spiritual to visit harm on others because they do not hold to the same beliefs as we do. It is high time we put it behind us.
Roger, your tying this historical event to the more recent event of Covid is enlightening. I would also add the support for genocide by a large portion of the "Christian" world in the US today. Such things drive people away from Christianity, I have no doubt about this.
At the same time, your comparison raises hope. The Church survived human failings, some of the worst of which is described in my post. Therefore, we can have hope that the Church will survive today's madness by some who claim the name of Christ.
In any case, we know that there will always at least be a remnant. God will never abandon His Church.
"Condemnation was inevitable. Maximus was cruelly tortured, had his tongue and right hand amputated, and he was exiled to Lazica in the Caucasus. He died there in August, 662."
"No protests came either from Rome, or from any other part of the Christian world."
-------------------------------------------
This is despicable, not only the treatment of a fellow believer because he dissented from the "consensus", but also because everyone else who noticed did not say anything in protest. It reminds me of the recent COVID episode in which the same pattern occurred.
If the Church would do something like this (or worse) to its own people for deviating from the officially established "truth", then why would anyone want to become a part of it? Were heathens treated better (or worse) than disciples? This, it seems to me, might be a critical part in the decision to convert to the faith or to remain as far from it as possible.
While Christians today do not practice such methods physically, it can be said that their social and spiritual conduct often mirrors them. Small, often inconsequential, differences in doctrine cause major rifts in relationships which result in believers within one thought might not even speak to or associate with others unless compelled by circumstance. This attitude (and action) can be likened to the Pharisee and the scribe drawing in their robes and skirting around the badly beaten man on the road to Jericho because they would be tainted if they happened to touch him. Much of modern Christianity is no different.
It is here that your concept of the 'singular hall, but many rooms' becomes valid and I do appreciate your continual pounding (and expounding) on the matter. We have had enough of the idea that it is spiritual to visit harm on others because they do not hold to the same beliefs as we do. It is high time we put it behind us.
Roger, your tying this historical event to the more recent event of Covid is enlightening. I would also add the support for genocide by a large portion of the "Christian" world in the US today. Such things drive people away from Christianity, I have no doubt about this.
At the same time, your comparison raises hope. The Church survived human failings, some of the worst of which is described in my post. Therefore, we can have hope that the Church will survive today's madness by some who claim the name of Christ.
In any case, we know that there will always at least be a remnant. God will never abandon His Church.