Abstract

The western and eastern branches of Christianity, broadly speaking Roman Catholicism (RC) and Eastern Orthodoxy (EO), have been formally separate for almost a millennium. Yet they share the fundamental dogmas laid down by the first ecumenical councils. History and politics are entwined in the disputes since the Great Schism of 1054, but even earlier there was controversy over basic dogmatic questions and other doctrinal matters. Some, like using leavened or unleavened bread for Consecration, are now considered “matters of custom,” not requiring argument. Other matters are said to block reunification. One of these is Purgatory, for which EO does not even have a term, making a direct comparison difficult. We begin our analysis with the RC teachings on Purgatory, its locus, characteristics, and functions, and provide a simple relational network that shows Purgatory in relation to the afterlife, in particular to Heaven and Hell. With EO we begin with the teachings about life after death and provide a first approximation of Heaven and Hell and their relation to Paradise and Hades, both in characteristics and functions. Again, a simple relational network is enlightening. A surface comparison between the two networks distinguishes between those beliefs about the afterlife that are shared between RC and EO and those parts which house differences. It is these differences that must be subject to careful semiotic analysis to discover whether they are etic and possibly serious but not grounds for mutual excommunication or emic and a true barrier to reunification. We leave the possibly lengthy semiotic analysis for a subsequent study.

Highlights

  • The western and eastern branches of Christianity, broadly speaking Roman Catholicism (RC) and Eastern Orthodoxy (EO), have been formally separate for almost a millennium

  • The web sites consulted on RC-EO differences (e.g., Azkoul, 1994; Gregory, n.d.) mentioned Purgatory as well, counting it one of the top three problems

  • We begin with an outline of RC teachings and an analysis of the major points with a description of their structure presented in a relational network

Read more

Summary

Redefining the Topic

A topic can be studied in two approaches: inductive and deductive. Since RC has doctrines on Purgatory, we can define a set of its features, a deductive approach. EO, though lacking a distinct doctrine on Purgatory, still has developed doctrines on life after death By examining these doctrines we may be able to identify a subset that, taken together, inductively provide something like the same effect as RC Purgatory. In this case, RC and EO would potentially be compatible or at least comparable regarding this issue. We begin with an outline of RC teachings and an analysis of the major points with a description of their structure presented in a relational network. This is followed by the same steps applied to EO teachings. Our present purpose is not to reach a conclusion, only to provide a platform for discussion and dialogue

The Afterlife in Roman Catholicism
Earth d pj damned
The Afterlife in Eastern Orthodoxy
Paradise s

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.