Pope Eugene IV who presided over the Council of Florence
I’m currently reading The History of the Council of Florence by Ivan Ostroumov. It’s the Greek Orthodox account of what happened at the Council of Florence in the 1400s. Four issues were discussed at this council between the Greek and Latin bishops. These are the papacy, the filioque, azymes, and purgatory. The last of these will be very important to this discussion.
Years ago I remember listening to a debate between Dr. James White and Fr. Peter Stravinskas on the Catholic doctrine of purgatory. In his opening statement(which included lies and mockery regarding the holy and brilliant Pope Gregory the Great) he made reference to the Council of Florence and tried to show that it was just a political council and how they were very concerned about how to seat the Greek bishops. He talks about it in a mocking way.
This council was in the 1400s and before the rise of Protestantism. There were only four churches at the time. The Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox and Assyrian churches were the only ecclesial bodies. The Bible says that there is supposed to be one Church and one faith so four is too many.
Protestants sometimes argue that some early church fathers adhered to Sola Scriptura. Whether that’s true or not, we can certainly agree that it doesn’t become widespread until the reformation in the 16th century with the emergence of Protestant ecclesial bodies. Since the reformation the number of churches has grown from four and is now in the thousands.
The scripture says that there is supposed to be one Church and one faith. The synod in Acts 15 is one Church. In Ephesians 4:5 we read one Lord, one faith, one baptism. Whether there are four churches or thousands we’re going against God’s command for one Church.
This brings me back to the topic of Sola Scriptura. Dr. White has written a book on Sola Scriptura and many other Catholic vs. Protestant topics. In John 17 Jesus Christ prays to the Father. We read:
My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
– John 17: 20-21
How could the Father deny the Son this very prayer? Obviously He won’t. Since we’re not one right now the only answer is that it will happen at the end of time.
My question for Protestants:
Has Sola Scriptura helped or hindered this prayer of our Lord Jesus Christ?
Speaking of James White and Sola Scriptura….Have you watched this:
Interesting. Never heard of this guy before. I’ll check it out.