Denominations: FROM GOD OR MAN?: Volume Two

This book continues the series with a focus on the Eastern Orthodox Churches, following their split in A.D.1054 from Roman Catholicism, which set a floor for ongoing heresies, man-made doctrines, and pronouncements, with influential church leaders pioneering these atrocities as equal bearers of authority in the same manner as the Holy Scriptures. Exploring the early councils, attended by numerous Catholic/Orthodox bishops, which convened between A.D. 325 and 787, the author seeks to explain not only the reason for the split but what set the tone or 'floor' leading to this rebellion against God's Divine Authority. The decisions/proclamations of the first seven councils hailed and elevated by these bishops as "Holy", "Divine", and "Authoritative", were uncovered instead to be nothing more than man-made, hypocritical, and on occasion, even deceitful - plagiarizing God's Word as if It were their own words of wisdom! (Exp. First Council, Canon 2 / 1 Timothy 3:6). This rebellion played out into a 'Reformation, ' with Martin Luther pulling away, resulting in the first 'protesting' or protestant denomination, the Lutheran Church. Unfortunately, the Lutherans only modified the beliefs of their mother church - trading a pope for Synods, a restrictive liturgy for 'faith only salvation', and Holy Tradition for Confessions and Creeds. These modifications, a mixture of truth with non-truth, to this day make discernment of God's desired work and worship more difficult to discern, and 'worshipping in vain' the more likely result. (Matthew 15:9). Paul told the Colossians, "And whatever you do in word or deed, do all (not some) in the name (authority) of the Lord Jesus" (Col. 3:17). Mixing truth with non-truth is like being 'lukewarm' - neither cold nor hot, neither all in, nor all out - our Lord had something to say regarding this did He not? (Revelation 3:15-16).