Church
Saint John the Forerunner
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America (GOARCH): a neutral profile of what this congregation describes about its beliefs.
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41.7361° N, 87.8713° WOpen map →TraditionGreek Orthodox Archdiocese of America (GOARCH)About →
Sourcing statusTradition default
Beliefs on file1040 positions
Statement of faithNot on file
Where they stand
Each position below is labelled by how it was sourced, so you can weigh it for yourself.
VerifiedConfirmed by the church
From their statement of faithEstimated, not verified
Tradition defaultEstimated, not verified
Showing 109 of 1040 positions across 18 topics. Expand any topic to see the rest.
God & the Trinity55 positions
- Analogical LanguageStrongly affirmsTradition defaultHuman language about God is analogical: true but never capturing God univocally as it captures creatures.Estimated, not verified
- Apophatic PriorityStrongly affirmsTradition defaultWhat God is in himself is ultimately beyond human comprehension, so negative ("God is not...") statements are more reliable than positive ones.Estimated, not verified
Christ70 positions
- Assumed Fallen Human NatureStrongly rejectsTradition defaultChrist assumed a fully fallen human nature (subject to the effects of the Fall) in order to heal it from within.Estimated, not verified
- Assumed Unfallen Human NatureStrongly affirmsTradition defaultChrist assumed an unfallen, sinless human nature, untouched by original sin/corruption.Estimated, not verified
Sin & the fall54 positions
- Adams Sin Brought Physical DeathAffirmsTradition defaultPhysical death entered the human race as a consequence of Adam's sin; humans were not originally subject to death.Estimated, not verified
- All Sin Deserves Death EquallyRejectsTradition defaultEvery sin, however small, deserves God's condemnation/death: there is no class of sin that does not by nature merit it.Estimated, not verified
Salvation65 positions
- Assurance Of Salvation PossibleRejectsTradition defaultA believer can have a settled present assurance that they are saved.Estimated, not verified
- Atonement Heals Human Nature TheosisStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe atonement's deepest purpose is to heal and divinize human nature (joining humanity to God), more than to settle a legal account.Estimated, not verified
The Holy Spirit55 positions
- Anointing For Special MinistryAffirmsTradition defaultThe Spirit grants a special "anointing" empowering particular individuals for ministry beyond the common indwelling.Estimated, not verified
- Assurance Is Normal For BelieversRejectsTradition defaultSettled assurance of salvation is normal and to be expected for genuine believers in this life.Estimated, not verified
The Church75 positions
- Apostolic Succession Required For Valid MinistryStrongly affirmsTradition defaultA minister's ordination is only VALID if conferred by a bishop standing in apostolic succession.Estimated, not verified
- Apostolicity Is Doctrinal Not SuccessionalStrongly rejectsTradition defaultApostolicity consists primarily in fidelity to apostolic DOCTRINE, not in an unbroken chain of ordinations from the apostles.Estimated, not verified
- Baptism Is The Entry Into The ChurchStrongly affirmsTradition defaultBaptism is the rite of entry/incorporation into the visible church.Estimated, not verified
- Bishop Is Principle Of Local UnityStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe local church's unity and reality are constituted around its bishop celebrating the Eucharist.Estimated, not verified
- Bishop Of Rome Has Universal PrimacyStrongly rejectsTradition defaultThe bishop of Rome (the pope) holds a divinely instituted primacy of jurisdiction over the whole church.Estimated, not verified
- Branch Theory Of The ChurchStrongly rejectsTradition defaultThe one church currently subsists across several "branches" (e.g. Rome, the East, Anglicanism) that are all part of the true church despite separation.Estimated, not verified
- Calling Inward Sufficient Without OrdinationStrongly rejectsTradition defaultAn inward call and the recognition of fellow believers is sufficient to minister; formal ordination/credentialing is unnecessary.Estimated, not verified
- Children Of Believers Are Church MembersStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe baptized children of believers are already members of the visible church/covenant community, not outsiders awaiting conversion.Estimated, not verified
- Church Authority Derives From Apostolic SuccessionStrongly affirmsTradition defaultLegitimate teaching and governing authority in the church descends through tactile apostolic succession of bishops.Estimated, not verified
- Church Discipline Should Be PracticedStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe church should formally practice corrective discipline, up to exclusion, against unrepentant serious sin among members.Estimated, not verified
- Church Is ApostolicStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe church is apostolic: it must stand in genuine continuity with the apostles' teaching and mission.Estimated, not verified
- Church Is Body Of ChristStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe church is the mystical Body of Christ, organically united to him as its head.Estimated, not verified
- Church Is Catholic UniversalStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe church is catholic (universal): the whole company of Christ's people across all times and places, not confined to one nation, culture, or congregation.Estimated, not verified
- Church Is Divinely InstitutedStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe church is a divine institution founded by Christ, not merely a voluntary human association of like-minded believers.Estimated, not verified
- Church Is Essentially VisibleStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe church is essentially a single concrete, visible communion; "invisible church" is a misleading abstraction.Estimated, not verified
- Church Is HolyStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe church is holy (set apart and sanctified by Christ) even though its members remain sinners.Estimated, not verified
- Church Is Mixed BodyStrongly affirmsTradition defaultIn this age the visible church is a mixed body containing both genuine believers and the unregenerate (wheat and tares, sheep and goats together until the end).Estimated, not verified
- Church Is Necessary Mediator Of GraceStrongly affirmsTradition defaultSaving grace is normally mediated THROUGH the institutional church and its sacraments, not received apart from it.Estimated, not verified
- Church Is New Or True IsraelStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe church is the continuation/fulfillment of Israel: the people of God now redefined around Christ (the "Israel of God").Estimated, not verified
- Church Is OneStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe true church is essentially ONE (a single body) despite outward divisions.Estimated, not verified
- Church Is Provisional Until KingdomRejectsTradition defaultThe institutional church is a provisional, this-age reality that will give way to the consummated Kingdom, rather than itself being the final goal.Estimated, not verified
- Church Means The Local AssemblyStrongly rejectsTradition defaultIn the New Testament "church" refers primarily to the local visible congregation; the "universal church" is at most a future/heavenly assembly.Estimated, not verified
- Church Should Shape Civil Society ChristendomAffirmsTradition defaultThe church rightly seeks to shape law, culture, and the civil order according to Christian principles (a Christianized society as a goal).Estimated, not verified
- Church Should Withdraw From Worldly SocietyRejectsTradition defaultThe faithful church should remain a distinct, separated community withdrawn from the institutions and entanglements of worldly society.Estimated, not verified
- Clergy Celibacy RequiredRejectsTradition defaultThose in the (higher) ordained ministry should be unmarried/celibate.Estimated, not verified
- Congregational Polity Local Church AutonomousStrongly rejectsTradition defaultEach local congregation is self-governing and autonomous under Christ, answerable to no higher ecclesiastical authority.Estimated, not verified
- Connectional Polity Above LocalStrongly affirmsTradition defaultLocal churches are properly bound together under a wider connectional structure (conference, synod, communion) with real authority over them.Estimated, not verified
- Councils Subordinate To ScriptureStrongly rejectsTradition defaultChurch councils and creeds have real authority but may err and remain subordinate to Scripture.Estimated, not verified
- Denominations Are Acceptable DiversityStrongly rejectsTradition defaultDenominations are a legitimate and acceptable expression of Christian diversity, not a scandal to be overcome.Estimated, not verified
- Discipline Aims At RestorationStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe goal of church discipline is the restoration of the offender, not merely punishment or protecting the church's purity.Estimated, not verified
- Ecumenical Councils Are InfallibleStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe decisions of genuine ecumenical councils are infallible and irreformable for the whole church.Estimated, not verified
- Efficacy Independent Of Ministers WorthinessStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe validity/efficacy of sacraments does not depend on the personal holiness of the minister (against Donatism).Estimated, not verified
- Episcopal Polity Is Divinely RequiredStrongly affirmsTradition defaultGovernment by bishops in apostolic succession is the divinely intended and necessary form of church order (jure divino episcopacy).Estimated, not verified
- Exclusive Organization Is Gods Only ChannelStrongly rejectsTradition defaultGod works and dispenses truth/salvation today through ONE specific visible organization, and being rightly related to it is essential.Estimated, not verified
- Excommunication Has Spiritual ConsequencesStrongly affirmsTradition defaultLawful excommunication actually binds in heaven: it carries real spiritual consequences, not merely social ones.Estimated, not verified
- Formal Membership Should Be RequiredRejectsTradition defaultThe church should have a defined, formal membership that one joins by a deliberate covenant or profession.Estimated, not verified
- Great Apostasy Then RestorationStrongly rejectsTradition defaultThe true church largely apostatized after the apostolic age and had to be RESTORED in modern times through a new movement/prophet.Estimated, not verified
- Intercommunion With Other Churches PermittedStrongly rejectsTradition defaultIt is right to share the Eucharist/communion across denominational lines with other believing Christians (open communion).Estimated, not verified
- Invisible Church Is PrimaryStrongly rejectsTradition defaultThe "real" church is the invisible company of all the elect/truly regenerate, known certainly only to God, of which any visible body is an imperfect expression.Estimated, not verified
- Israel And Church Remain Distinct PeoplesRejectsTradition defaultNational/ethnic Israel and the church are two distinct peoples of God with distinct promises; the church has not replaced Israel.Estimated, not verified
- Lay Ministry Can Lead Word And SacramentStrongly rejectsTradition defaultProperly recognized lay persons may lead worship and even administer the sacraments when needed, without ordination.Estimated, not verified
- Living Magisterium Authoritatively InterpretsRejectsTradition defaultA living teaching office (magisterium) authoritatively and bindingly interprets Scripture and Tradition for the whole church.Estimated, not verified
- Local Church Fully Is The ChurchStrongly affirmsTradition defaultEach rightly-gathered local church is fully and not merely partially "the church": the whole church is present where the people gather with the Word and sacraments (or, for some, the Eucharist with the bishop).Estimated, not verified
- Membership By Credible Profession OnlyStrongly rejectsTradition defaultChurch membership should be limited to those who give a credible personal profession of faith (a regenerate/believers' church).Estimated, not verified
- Membership In Visible Church NecessaryStrongly affirmsTradition defaultBelonging to the visible, organized church is normally necessary for the Christian life, not an optional add-on to private faith.Estimated, not verified
- Ministry Is Sacrificing PriesthoodStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe ordained minister functions as a priest who offers a sacrifice (the Eucharist) on behalf of the people.Estimated, not verified
- Mission Is Primarily Evangelism And Disciple MakingStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe church's central mission is to proclaim the gospel and make disciples (the Great Commission as its defining task).Estimated, not verified
- No Clergy Laity DistinctionStrongly rejectsTradition defaultThere should be no distinct ordained clergy class; all believers minister equally without a separate office of pastor/priest.Estimated, not verified
- No Creed But The BibleStrongly rejectsTradition defaultThe church should bind consciences to no creed, confession, or council: "no creed but Christ / the Bible alone."Estimated, not verified
- No Outward Sacraments Needed For The ChurchStrongly rejectsTradition defaultA true church need not practice outward water-baptism or the Lord's Supper at all; the inward reality suffices.Estimated, not verified
- Ordained Ministry Still Distinct OfficeStrongly affirmsTradition defaultEven granting the priesthood of all believers, an ordained ministry remains a distinct, divinely warranted office, not merely a functional convenience.Estimated, not verified
- Ordination Confers Sacramental PriesthoodStrongly affirmsTradition defaultOrdination confers a sacramental, indelible priestly character empowering the minister to offer the Eucharist and absolve sins.Estimated, not verified
- Other Churches Have Real Grace And SacramentsLeans toward rejectingTradition defaultChristian bodies outside our own communion possess real (if imperfect) grace, valid baptism, and genuine churchly reality.Estimated, not verified
- Our Communion Is The One True ChurchStrongly affirmsTradition defaultOur own communion IS the one true church Christ founded; others are separated or deficient bodies, not equal branches.Estimated, not verified
- Outside The Church No SalvationAffirmsTradition defaultThere is no salvation outside the (visible) church (extra ecclesiam nulla salus), strictly understood.Estimated, not verified
- Papacy Is Illegitimate CorruptionAffirmsTradition defaultThe papacy is a later, illegitimate human development: a corruption rather than Christ's design.Estimated, not verified
- Papal Primacy Honor Not JurisdictionStrongly affirmsTradition defaultAny primacy of Rome is at most a primacy of HONOR among equal bishops, not a primacy of governing jurisdiction.Estimated, not verified
- Parity Of Presbyters Bishop Equals ElderStrongly rejectsTradition defaultIn the New Testament "bishop" (episkopos) and "elder" (presbyteros) name the same office; there is no separate higher order of bishop.Estimated, not verified
- Petrine Office Perpetual In PopesStrongly rejectsTradition defaultChrist's commission to Peter ("upon this rock") established a perpetual office continued in the bishops of Rome.Estimated, not verified
- Pope Is InfallibleStrongly rejectsTradition defaultThe pope, under defined conditions (ex cathedra, on faith and morals), teaches infallibly.Estimated, not verified
- Presbyterian Polity Governance By Elders CourtsStrongly rejectsTradition defaultThe church should be governed by presbyters (elders) acting collectively through graded courts (session, presbytery, synod, assembly).Estimated, not verified
- Priest Absolves SinsStrongly affirmsTradition defaultA priest, by power conferred in ordination, actually forgives/absolves sins in the sacrament of penance/confession.Estimated, not verified
- Priesthood Of All BelieversAffirmsTradition defaultEvery believer is a priest with direct access to God, with no need for a mediating human priest.Estimated, not verified
- Rightly Administered Sacraments Are A Mark Of The ChurchLeans toward rejectingTradition defaultThe true church is identified by the right administration of the sacraments (alongside the right preaching of the Word).Estimated, not verified
- Scripture Is Sole Final AuthorityStrongly rejectsTradition defaultScripture is the sole final authority for the church's faith and practice (sola scriptura); all other authorities are subordinate and fallible.Estimated, not verified
- Shunning Of Excommunicated RequiredRejectsTradition defaultMembers must socially shun/avoid those placed under the ban, including in ordinary daily relations.Estimated, not verified
- Theocratic Or Charismatic GovernanceStrongly rejectsTradition defaultThe church should be led directly by Spirit-anointed apostles/prophets whose governance carries divine authority over the congregation.Estimated, not verified
- Threefold Order Bishop Priest DeaconStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe ministry is rightly ordered in three distinct orders (bishop, presbyter/priest, and deacon) as the apostolic pattern.Estimated, not verified
- Tradition Is Coequal AuthorityStrongly affirmsTradition defaultSacred Tradition stands alongside Scripture as a co-equal source of binding revelation.Estimated, not verified
- True Church Existed Unbroken Through HistoryStrongly affirmsTradition defaultChrist's true church has existed continuously and visibly in every age since Pentecost, never wholly apostatizing.Estimated, not verified
- Unity Is Visible InstitutionalStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe church's God-willed unity must be a VISIBLE, institutional, communion-and-sacramental unity, not merely a spiritual bond among believers.Estimated, not verified
- Universal Church Is Primary RealityAffirmsTradition defaultThe universal church is the primary reality, and local congregations are its parts or outcroppings.Estimated, not verified
- Women Excluded From Eldership Teaching MenStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe offices of elder/pastor and the authoritative teaching of men in the gathered church are reserved to qualified men.Estimated, not verified
- Women May Be Ordained Pastors PriestsStrongly rejectsTradition defaultWomen may be ordained to the pastoral/priestly office on the same basis as men.Estimated, not verified
- Worship Is The Churchs Highest PurposeStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe worship and glorification of God (leitourgia) is the church's highest and defining purpose, above mission or fellowship.Estimated, not verified
Sacraments & ordinances73 positions
- Anointing For Healing PracticeStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe church should anoint the sick with oil and pray over them for healing (per James 5).Estimated, not verified
- Anointing Sick Is A SacramentStrongly affirmsTradition defaultAnointing of the sick with oil is a sacrament conveying grace, healing, and forgiveness to the seriously ill.Estimated, not verified
Worship & liturgy65 positions
- Altar Call InvitationStrongly rejectsTradition defaultA public invitation/altar call inviting people to come forward to receive Christ or rededicate is a fitting close to worship.Estimated, not verified
- Altar Oriented ArchitectureStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe worship space should be ordered around an altar/holy table as its visual and theological focus.Estimated, not verified
Last things43 positions
- A Literal Mark Of The Beast Is ComingAffirmsTradition defaultA literal future "mark of the beast" will be imposed as a condition of economic participation.Estimated, not verified
- Apocalyptic Prophecy Read Literally FuturisticallyRejectsTradition defaultThe prophecies of Daniel and Revelation should be read primarily as literal predictions of still-future events.Estimated, not verified
Scripture57 positions
- Authority Creeds SubordinateRejectsTradition defaultThe ecumenical creeds and confessions are authoritative only insofar as they faithfully summarize Scripture.Estimated, not verified
- Authority Holy Tradition OrthodoxStrongly affirmsTradition defaultScripture is rightly read only within Holy Tradition: the Fathers, councils, liturgy, and consensus of the Church.Estimated, not verified
Revelation, creation & science33 positions
- Adam Special Creation From DustStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe first human was specially and directly created by God from the dust, not biologically descended from earlier hominins.Estimated, not verified
- Angels Created BeingsStrongly affirmsTradition defaultAngels and other spiritual beings are part of God's created order, made by God.Estimated, not verified
Life & bioethics67 positions
- Abortifacient Contraception WrongStrongly affirmsTradition defaultMethods that can prevent implantation of an already-fertilized embryo (e.g., certain IUDs, emergency contraception) are morally equivalent to early abortion and impermissible.Estimated, not verified
- Abortion Gravely Wrong In PrincipleStrongly affirmsTradition defaultDeliberately ending a pregnancy by killing the unborn is in itself a grave moral wrong.Estimated, not verified
Sexuality & marriage53 positions
- Abortifacient Contraception WrongStrongly affirmsTradition defaultContraceptive methods that may act after fertilization (potential abortifacients) are morally wrong even if other contraception is permitted.Estimated, not verified
- Annulment Recognizes Invalid MarriageAffirmsTradition defaultSome unions that appeared to be marriages were never valid marriages, and the church can rightly declare them null (annulment).Estimated, not verified
Society & politics55 positions
- Active Nonviolent Resistance ObligatoryAffirmsTradition defaultChristians should actively resist injustice through nonviolent means (protest, civil disobedience, noncooperation), not merely abstain from violence.Estimated, not verified
- Almsgiving Is A Binding ObligationStrongly affirmsTradition defaultGiving to the poor is a binding moral obligation, not optional charity, and to withhold from the needy is a sin.Estimated, not verified
Angelology Demonology58 positions
- Angelic Fall Caused By PrideStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe angels fell primarily through pride: refusing subjection to God / seeking to exalt themselves.Estimated, not verified
- Angelic Fall Predates Human FallAffirmsTradition defaultThe angelic rebellion occurred before the fall of humanity, and the serpent's temptation issued from an already-fallen angel.Estimated, not verified
Anthropology55 positions
- Body Essential To PersonStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe body is essential to being a complete human person, not an accidental or dispensable container for the soul.Estimated, not verified
- Body GoodStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe material human body is intrinsically good as created by God.Estimated, not verified
Covenant Law Israel32 positions
- Abrahamic Covenant Foundational And OngoingStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe Abrahamic covenant is foundational and its promises remain operative for the people of God today.Estimated, not verified
- Believers No Longer Under Laws CondemnationStrongly affirmsTradition defaultBelievers are entirely free from the law's condemning function but remain under its directing function.Estimated, not verified
Mariology Saints75 positions
- All Believers Are SaintsRejectsTradition default"Saints" in the New Testament sense means all believers, not a special canonized class.Estimated, not verified
- Altar Relics Required Or ProperStrongly affirmsTradition defaultIt is fitting (or required) that altars contain the relics of saints.Estimated, not verified
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