Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 1
The speaker says Catholic and Orthodox claims can feel “attractive,” yet insists “it’s important to go by what is apostolic rather than by what we like.” Where do you feel that same pull toward what seems compelling, ancient, or beautiful—and what concrete practices would help a group actually submit preferences to “what the apostles said”?
Another way to ask: What parts of Catholic or Orthodox faith feel most appealing to you because they seem ancient or beautiful? What practical steps could a group take to choose what the apostles taught over what they personally prefer?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
Based on the speaker’s teaching, the pull is toward what feels ancient, beautiful, unified, and “historic,” but the test has to be whether a belief or practice is actually apostolic. Concrete submission means repeatedly asking whether something is a direct apostolic teaching (public and complete early), rather than something we simply find compelling.
- The speaker admits, “a lot of people today are drawn to the claims… and that includes me. I find them attractive,” but says it’s “important to go by what is apostolic rather than by what we like.”
- He frames doctrine as coming from the apostles: “Jesus and the apostles were upstream from doctrine… The faith… can’t be changed.”
- He says later voices aren’t infallible: teachings are doctrine only if they “are actually saying precisely what the apostles said.”
- He equips listeners with evaluation tools: ask what claim a quote supports, what the quote actually says, and what other quotes say.
- He warns against being emotionally overwhelmed: people get “blasted off your seat with a long list of quotations.”