Church
Saint Stephen Byzantine Catholic Pro-Cathedral
Byzantine Rite Catholic Churches · Phoenix: a neutral profile of what this congregation describes about its beliefs.
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Public details for this congregation.
TraditionByzantine Rite Catholic ChurchesAbout →
Sourcing statusEstimated, source not recorded
Beliefs on file1239 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
Estimated, source not recordedNo document on file
Showing 112 of 1239 positions across 18 topics. Expand any topic to see the rest.
God & the Trinity59 positions
- Analogical LanguageAffirmsEstimated, source not recordedHuman language about God is analogical: true but never capturing God univocally as it captures creatures.Estimated, not verified
- Apophatic PriorityStrongly affirmsEstimated, source not recordedWhat God is in himself is ultimately beyond human comprehension, so negative ("God is not...") statements are more reliable than positive ones.Estimated, not verified
Christ73 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 fall64 positions
- Adams Sin Brought Physical DeathStrongly affirmsTradition 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
Salvation76 positions
- Active Obedience ImputedStrongly rejectsTradition defaultChrist's lifelong law-keeping (his "active obedience"), not only his death, is imputed to the believer as their positive righteousness.Estimated, not verified
- Annihilationism Conditional ImmortalityStrongly rejectsTradition defaultThe finally lost are ultimately destroyed/cease to exist rather than suffering everlasting conscious torment (annihilationism / conditional immortality).Estimated, not verified
The Holy Spirit57 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 BelieversStrongly rejectsTradition defaultSettled assurance of salvation is normal and to be expected for genuine believers in this life.Estimated, not verified
The Church86 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
Sacraments & ordinances83 positions
- Age Of Accountability Before BaptismStrongly rejectsTradition defaultBaptism should wait until a person reaches an age of accountability and can repent and believe for themselves.Estimated, not verified
- 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
Worship & liturgy71 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 affirmsEstimated, source not recordedThe worship space should be ordered around an altar/holy table as its visual and theological focus.Estimated, not verified
Last things64 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
- All Will Finally Be SavedStrongly rejectsTradition defaultIn the end all rational creatures will be reconciled to God and none will be finally lost (universal reconciliation/apokatastasis).Estimated, not verified
Scripture78 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 affirmsEstimated, source not recordedScripture is rightly read only within Holy Tradition: the Fathers, councils, liturgy, and consensus of the Church.Estimated, not verified
- Authority Magisterium InterpretsStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe authentic interpretation of Scripture is entrusted to the Church's living teaching office (Magisterium), whose judgments bind the faithful.Estimated, not verified
- Authority No Creed But BibleStrongly rejectsTradition defaultThe Church should bind conscience to "no creed but the Bible," rejecting man-made confessions as tests of fellowship.Estimated, not verified
- Authority Ongoing Prophecy SupplementsStrongly rejectsTradition defaultPresent-day prophecy or apostolic revelation can supplement Scripture as a source of binding guidance.Estimated, not verified
- Authority Over Conscience IndividualStrongly rejectsTradition defaultAn individual believer may rightly stand on Scripture against the consensus of the Church when conscience so requires.Estimated, not verified
- Authority Prima ScripturaNo firm positionEstimated, source not recordedScripture is the primary authority, but tradition and reason serve as genuine, subordinate authorities under it.Estimated, not verified
- Authority Scripture Plus Tradition CoordinateStrongly affirmsEstimated, source not recordedScripture and apostolic Tradition together form one deposit of God's Word, both to be received with equal devotion.Estimated, not verified
- Authority Sola ScripturaNo firm positionEstimated, source not recordedScripture is the sole infallible rule of faith and practice for the Church.Estimated, not verified
- Canon Apocrypha Useful Not CanonStrongly rejectsTradition defaultThe apocryphal books are profitable for reading and edification but are not authoritative for establishing doctrine.Estimated, not verified
- Canon Church DeterminesStrongly affirmsEstimated, source not recordedThe Church, exercising her God-given authority, determined and authoritatively defined which books are canonical.Estimated, not verified
- Canon Church Recognized Not ConferredStrongly rejectsTradition defaultThe Church recognized the canon that God had already constituted, rather than creating or conferring canonicity.Estimated, not verified
- Canon Closed CompleteStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe canon of Scripture is permanently closed; no new books can be added.Estimated, not verified
- Canon Deuterocanon ScriptureStrongly affirmsEstimated, source not recordedThe deuterocanonical/apocryphal books (e.g., Tobit, Wisdom, Sirach, 1-2 Maccabees) are fully canonical Scripture.Estimated, not verified
- Canon Ethiopian Enoch JubileesStrongly rejectsTradition defaultBooks such as 1 Enoch and Jubilees belong in the biblical canon.Estimated, not verified
- Canon Marcion NarrowStrongly rejectsTradition defaultThe Old Testament should be rejected or radically subordinated because its God differs from the God revealed in Jesus.Estimated, not verified
- Canon New Revelation LdsStrongly rejectsTradition defaultScripture includes additional latter-day revealed books beyond the Bible (e.g., the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price).Estimated, not verified
- Canon Old Testament Authority EqualStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe Old Testament is fully and equally Scripture alongside the New Testament.Estimated, not verified
- Canon Open ContinuingStrongly rejectsTradition defaultThe canon of Scripture is open in principle: God may add new authoritative written revelation in the present or future.Estimated, not verified
- Canon Orthodox WiderRejectsTradition defaultBooks beyond the Roman Catholic canon (e.g., 3 Maccabees, Psalm 151, 1 Esdras, and in some churches 4 Maccabees or Enoch) are rightly received as Scripture.Estimated, not verified
- Canon Protestant 66No firm positionEstimated, source not recordedThe canon of Scripture consists of exactly the 66 books of the Protestant Bible.Estimated, not verified
- Canon Self AuthenticatingStrongly rejectsTradition defaultThe canonical books are self-authenticating: believers recognize them as Scripture through the internal witness of the Holy Spirit, not by the Church's decree.Estimated, not verified
- Function Norms All DoctrineStrongly affirmsEstimated, source not recordedEvery doctrine the Church teaches must be testable by, and answerable to, Scripture.Estimated, not verified
- General Revelation SupplementsStrongly affirmsEstimated, source not recordedGod's revelation in nature and conscience gives reliable, though limited, knowledge of God independent of Scripture.Estimated, not verified
- Herm Allegorical DefaultLeans toward rejectingTradition defaultAllegorical and figurative interpretation, rather than the literal-historical, should be the default key to Scripture's deeper meaning.Estimated, not verified
- Herm Flat Bible Proof TextStrongly rejectsTradition defaultAny verse may be applied directly as binding doctrine or command regardless of its covenant or redemptive-historical context.Estimated, not verified
- Herm Fourfold Spiritual SensesStrongly affirmsEstimated, source not recordedBeyond the literal sense, Scripture carries genuine spiritual senses (allegorical, moral, anagogical) intended by God.Estimated, not verified
- Herm Historical Critical MethodAffirmsTradition defaultCritical-historical study (source, form, and redaction criticism) is a legitimate and necessary tool for understanding Scripture.Estimated, not verified
- Herm Historical GrammaticalNo firm positionEstimated, source not recordedThe proper method of interpretation seeks the single intended meaning of the human author in his historical and grammatical context.Estimated, not verified
- Herm Literal Sense PrimaryAffirmsTradition defaultThe literal sense (the plain, intended meaning) is the foundation and control for all other senses of Scripture.Estimated, not verified
- Herm Literalism DispensationalStrongly rejectsTradition defaultProphetic texts should be read as literally and concretely as possible, including a future literal fulfillment of national/territorial promises to Israel.Estimated, not verified
- Herm Reader Constructs MeaningRejectsTradition defaultThe meaning of a biblical text is significantly constituted by the reader or community, not fixed solely by authorial intent.Estimated, not verified
- Herm Redemptive Historical Christ CenterStrongly affirmsTradition defaultAll of Scripture finds its unifying meaning in Christ and the unfolding plan of redemption, and should be read Christocentrically.Estimated, not verified
- Herm Scripture Interprets ScriptureStrongly affirmsEstimated, source not recordedObscure passages of Scripture should be interpreted in light of clearer passages ("the analogy of Scripture").Estimated, not verified
- Herm Tradition Rule Of FaithStrongly affirmsEstimated, source not recordedScripture must be interpreted according to the Church's "rule of faith" / received tradition, which constrains permissible readings.Estimated, not verified
- Herm Typology LegitStrongly affirmsEstimated, source not recordedOld Testament persons and events are divinely intended types that prefigure New Testament realities.Estimated, not verified
- Inerrancy AccommodationAffirmsTradition defaultGod accommodated the limited knowledge of the human authors, so the Bible can reflect the erroneous cosmology or science of its time without compromising its religious message.Estimated, not verified
- Inerrancy Errancy AffirmedRejectsTradition defaultThe Bible contains real errors and contradictions, and Christian faith does not depend on its factual accuracy.Estimated, not verified
- Inerrancy Full All MattersAffirmsTradition defaultScripture in its original manuscripts is entirely without error in all that it affirms, including matters of history and the natural world, not only faith and morals.Estimated, not verified
- Inerrancy Genesis HistoryLeans toward rejectingTradition defaultThe early chapters of Genesis (creation, the fall, the flood) are intended as real history rather than primarily theological symbol or ancient myth.Estimated, not verified
- Inerrancy Historical Narratives FactualStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe historical narratives of Scripture (e.g., the exodus, the conquest, the bodily resurrection) record events that actually happened in space and time.Estimated, not verified
- Inerrancy Limited To Faith PracticeStrongly affirmsTradition defaultScripture is infallible in matters of faith and salvation but may contain incidental errors in history, science, or geography.Estimated, not verified
- Inerrancy Phenomenological LanguageStrongly affirmsTradition defaultScripture's descriptions of nature (e.g., the sun rising) are ordinary phenomenological language and do not constitute scientific error.Estimated, not verified
- Inspiration Barthian Becomes WordStrongly rejectsTradition defaultThe Bible is not in itself the Word of God but becomes the Word of God in the event of God addressing a person through it.Estimated, not verified
- Inspiration Concursive Human PersonalityStrongly affirmsEstimated, source not recordedGod so worked through the human authors that their own personalities, vocabulary, and circumstances genuinely shaped the text while it remained God's word.Estimated, not verified
- Inspiration DegreesRejectsTradition defaultSome books or passages of Scripture are more fully inspired than others.Estimated, not verified
- Inspiration DictationStrongly rejectsTradition defaultGod dictated the words of Scripture to the human writers, who functioned essentially as scribes or stenographers.Estimated, not verified
- Inspiration Extends To WordsAffirmsTradition defaultInspiration extends to the actual words of the original text, not only to the general ideas or concepts.Estimated, not verified
- Inspiration Holy Spirit AuthorStrongly affirmsEstimated, source not recordedThe Holy Spirit is properly called the divine author of Scripture.Estimated, not verified
- Inspiration Illumination OnlyStrongly rejectsTradition default"Inspiration" refers only to the heightened spiritual insight of gifted human authors, comparable in kind (if not degree) to other great religious writing.Estimated, not verified
- Inspiration Ongoing In ChurchStrongly rejectsTradition defaultThe same inspiration that produced Scripture continues to operate in the Church, potentially producing new authoritative texts today.Estimated, not verified
- Inspiration Plenary WholeStrongly affirmsTradition defaultAll parts of Scripture are equally inspired, not merely the doctrinally central or "religious" portions.Estimated, not verified
- Inspiration Redletter PriorityRejectsTradition defaultThe recorded words of Jesus carry greater authority than other portions of Scripture.Estimated, not verified
- Inspiration Supernatural OriginStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe Christian Scriptures originated through a genuine act of God, not merely human religious reflection.Estimated, not verified
- Inspiration Witness To RevelationRejectsTradition defaultScripture is best understood as a fallible human witness pointing to revelation, rather than as revelation itself.Estimated, not verified
- Interpretation Private Judgment LegitRejectsTradition defaultIndividual believers, illumined by the Spirit, are competent to interpret Scripture for themselves.Estimated, not verified
- Necessity Scripture For Knowledge Of GodStrongly affirmsTradition defaultScripture is necessary for a saving and reliable knowledge of God that nature alone cannot provide.Estimated, not verified
- Perspicuity ClarityNo firm positionEstimated, source not recordedThe essential teachings of Scripture, especially the way of salvation, are clear enough that ordinary believers can understand them without a specialized interpreter.Estimated, not verified
- Perspicuity Requires ChurchStrongly affirmsEstimated, source not recordedScripture is sufficiently obscure that private readers will go astray without the Church's authoritative guidance.Estimated, not verified
- Scripture Culturally Conditioned RevisableStrongly rejectsTradition defaultSome of Scripture's moral teachings are culturally conditioned and may be revised or set aside in light of contemporary moral insight.Estimated, not verified
- Scripture Efficacious Means Of GraceStrongly affirmsEstimated, source not recordedThe Word of God is a means of grace that effectively works faith and salvation, not merely conveys information.Estimated, not verified
- Scripture Layperson Should ReadStrongly affirmsEstimated, source not recordedEvery believer should read the Scriptures directly in their own language.Estimated, not verified
- Scripture Living Voice TodayStrongly affirmsEstimated, source not recordedThrough the Holy Spirit, Scripture speaks directly and personally to the believer today, not merely as an ancient record.Estimated, not verified
- Scripture Unique Above Other Sacred TextsStrongly affirmsEstimated, source not recordedThe Christian Scriptures are uniquely God's word in a way that the sacred texts of other religions are not.Estimated, not verified
- Scripture Word And Sacrament BalanceStrongly affirmsTradition defaultScripture's authority is exercised chiefly through its public proclamation and the sacraments, rather than primarily through private reading.Estimated, not verified
- Sufficiency Regulative WorshipRejectsTradition defaultOnly what Scripture positively commands or warrants may be included in the Church's worship and government.Estimated, not verified
- Sufficiency ScriptureStrongly affirmsEstimated, source not recordedScripture contains all things necessary for salvation and for the faith and life of the Church; nothing essential is lacking.Estimated, not verified
- Text Critical EclecticNo firm positionEstimated, source not recordedThe best New Testament text is reconstructed by weighing all manuscript evidence (an eclectic/critical text), even where this differs from the historic printed editions.Estimated, not verified
- Text Disputed Passages AuthenticNo firm positionEstimated, source not recordedLonger disputed passages (e.g., Mark 16:9-20, John 7:53-8:11, the Comma Johanneum) are authentic parts of Scripture.Estimated, not verified
- Text Dynamic EquivalenceNo firm positionEstimated, source not recordedBible translation should prioritize conveying the meaning in clear contemporary language even at the cost of literal wording (dynamic/functional equivalence).Estimated, not verified
- Text Formal EquivalenceNo firm positionEstimated, source not recordedBible translation should follow the original wording and structure as closely as possible (formal/word-for-word equivalence).Estimated, not verified
- Text Kjv OnlyNo firm positionEstimated, source not recordedThe King James Version is the only fully reliable English Bible, and modern translations are corrupt or doctrinally dangerous.Estimated, not verified
- Text Kjv Preferred Not OnlyNo firm positionEstimated, source not recordedThe King James Version is the best or preferred English translation, though other translations may still be legitimately used.Estimated, not verified
- Text Providential Preservation DoctrineNo firm positionEstimated, source not recordedGod promised to providentially preserve the exact words of Scripture down through history, so the true text has never been lost.Estimated, not verified
- Text Textus ReceptusNo firm positionEstimated, source not recordedThe Textus Receptus (or the Byzantine/Majority text) preserves the true New Testament text better than modern critical editions.Estimated, not verified
- Text Translation Can Be InspiredNo firm positionEstimated, source not recordedA translation can itself be inspired or providentially perfected, not merely an approximation of the inspired original.Estimated, not verified
- Text Variants Doctrinally InsignificantNo firm positionEstimated, source not recordedThe known manuscript variants do not affect any essential Christian doctrine, so the Bible we have is trustworthy despite textual uncertainty.Estimated, not verified
- Truthfulness Genre Determines TruthStrongly affirmsTradition defaultWhat Scripture "affirms" must be judged by each passage's literary genre, so poetry, parable, and apocalyptic are not measured by historical-factual standards.Estimated, not verified
Revelation, creation & science52 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 affirmsEstimated, source not recordedAngels and other spiritual beings are part of God's created order, made by God.Estimated, not verified
Life & bioethics80 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 A Protected RightStrongly rejectsTradition defaultAccess to abortion is a fundamental right that should be legally protected.Estimated, not verified
Sexuality & marriage76 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 MarriageStrongly affirmsTradition defaultSome unions that appeared to be marriages were never valid marriages, and the church can rightly declare them null (annulment).Estimated, not verified
Society & politics65 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 Demonology69 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 FallStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe angelic rebellion occurred before the fall of humanity, and the serpent's temptation issued from an already-fallen angel.Estimated, not verified
Anthropology66 positions
- Body Essential To PersonStrongly affirmsEstimated, source not recordedThe body is essential to being a complete human person, not an accidental or dispensable container for the soul.Estimated, not verified
- Body GoodStrongly affirmsEstimated, source not recordedThe material human body is intrinsically good as created by God.Estimated, not verified
Covenant Law Israel43 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
- Baptism Replaces Circumcision Covenant SignStrongly affirmsTradition defaultBaptism is the New Covenant counterpart to circumcision, marking entrance into the covenant community.Estimated, not verified
Mariology Saints77 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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