I have an idea...

[OrthodoxyUSA]

Tell me if this is stupid...

If we created a CF login called "Orthodox Fathers" that was shared by multiple Orthodox Christians with the idea that questions would be answered by the writings of the Fathers themselves....

Questions about Salvations could be answered by the Fatheres writings, not ours. In other word... heres what the Holy Fathers say about......

NO PERSONAL BIAS ALLOWED, JUST PATRISTIC WRITINGS...

Of course the opening post would need a disclaimer and the posts would be monitored and responded to by a wealth of Orthodox Christians, on many questions we would refer to the clergy asking which fathers to quote from...

Just an idea, seems like it would get Patristic writings into the mainstream, but then again maybe it's too large a task, or maybe even "out of line".

Your thoughts please...

Forgive me...:priest:

[Grand_Duchess-Elizaveta]

I think it sounds like a great idea!:idea: That way questions about really important things like salvation could be answered soley by quotes from the Fathers, and no one would be able to dabate or challenge it because it wouldn't be based on opinions (provided it was a legitamate Saint).

[Patristic]

Sounds like something worth looking into

[ExOrienteLux]

Sounds like a good idea to me, but it would involve most/all of the responders having access to a rather large library of Patristic writings. Don't let that stop you, though.

[OrthodoxyUSA]

.

[Wisdom's Child]

I have the Early Church Fathers on my computer. It can be downloaded from the Weaton College Library site http://www.ccel.org/

So the resources are out there...

It has been my experience though that there are many that will debate the Church Fathers, for various reasons, especially if they are radically Anti-Catholic or "Bible Only" Believers.

I've tried posting the Church Fathers viewpoints on many occasions.
It is a good concept, but I would caution everyone on Security Issues involved in such a project. There are those, who would quote from very questionable sources if the managed to get the password...

[OrthodoxyUSA]

I have all the volumes in a windows help file....

[Oblio]

I have all the volumes in a windows help file....

I do too. It is married to some other stuff called Encyclopedia of the First Millenium of Christianity. The problem with the help files is that the search function is NDG (No Darn Good). If you know what you are looking for it is much faster then ccel.org online.

On Topic - We had a discussion in back about having a inquirer area like this, perhaps in the non-CO area of CF that was actively moderated and select 'scholars' of CF would collaborate and respond to the questions. Perhaps we need to refresh our thinking in this area, perhaps combine both ideas.

[OrthodoxyUSA]

I do too. It is married to some other stuff called Encyclopedia of the First Millenium of Christianity. The problem with the help files is that the search function is NDG (No Darn Good). If you know what you are looking for it is much faster then ccel.org online.

On Topic - We had a discussion in back about having a inquirer area like this, perhaps in the non-CO area of CF that was actively moderated and select 'scholars' of CF would collaborate and respond to the questions. Perhaps we need to refresh our thinking in this area, perhaps combine both ideas.
Sounds wonderful... will you let me know what you decide?
What is the non-CO area?

Forgive me..:priest:

[Eusebios]

I think it's a wonderful idea. In terms of online resources, this site (http://www.philthompson.net/pages/library/#ancient) has quite a few, but would presume a good deal of foreknowledge on what is contained therein to be really an effective source to use. Though Google searches are also quite helpful, maybe I'm just blathering. Bottom line, I like the idea O.USA!
His rapidly tiring servant,
Eusebios.

[Oblio]

non-CO == non Christian Only, Gen Apologetics etc.
The back alleys of CF as it were :eek:, where pagans and athests raom the streets ...

The idea came about because we have had several non-Christian inquirers who by the rules cannot post here. We can either change the rules (which IMO would be hard and perhaps detrimental to CF though it is done in the MJ area) or evangelize outside the safety of TAW in an Orthodox inquiry forum, perhaps a subforum of Questions about Christianity, IIRC that is non-CO.

[Photini]

... or evangelize outside the safety of TAW in an Orthodox inquiry forum, perhaps a subforum of Questions about Christianity, IIRC that is non-CO.
An Orthodox inquiry forum would be so great. I quickly get frustrated in other forums because when someone asks a questions about various subjects, I feel like I'm stepping on toes. Especially if there are Catholic posters there who are pressing their doctrines. One time back in the IDD forum, I got a bad rep (back when those were allowed) because I disagreed with a Catholic doctrine that a non-Catholic was questioning and I was vocal about it. It is difficult trying to explain the Orthodox view of things when we are so terribly out-numbered. And usually the thread spins into a debate about the head of the Church or something like that, which is a non-issue in Orthodoxy.

[Plan 9]

I have the Early Church Fathers on my computer. It can be downloaded from the Weaton College Library site http://www.ccel.org/

So the resources are out there...

It has been my experience though that there are many that will debate the Church Fathers, for various reasons, especially if they are radically Anti-Catholic or "Bible Only" Believers.

I've tried posting the Church Fathers viewpoints on many occasions.
It is a good concept, but I would caution everyone on Security Issues involved in such a project. There are those, who would quote from very questionable sources if the managed to get the password...


The rest of us couldn't read, even if we were forbidden to post? :cry:
Personally speaking, your questions and comments might help to better understand the Early Church Fathers.

Even so, it's a fine resource for TAW members to have available, and, IMO, you should do it! :)

[Eusebios]

Planny,
I for one can say that this would not be the intention. It seems to me that what Oblio is saying is that he feels it needs to be opened up to the widest audience possible. Rdr. Chris?
Under His Mercy,
Eusebios.

[Oblio]

Planny,
I for one can say that this would not be the intention. It seems to me that what Oblio is saying is that he feels it needs to be opened up to the widest audience possible. Rdr. Chris?
Under His Mercy,
Eusebios.

Absolutely !

The Gospel states (for all) to Come and see !

If it were outside the CO area, I would suggest active moderation. IOW, each post would be reviewed by mods prior to it being released for viewing. Anyone could post questions (subject to review of course), the answers would to the best of our ability reflect the mind of the Church. I really wish we could get a priest on board as a member of the answer review commitee.

[OrthodoxyUSA]

Let's ask Fr. John Troy... he's way cool....
I'll email him
frjohntroy@bellsouth.net

Forgive me...

Paul

[Plan 9]

Planny,
I for one can say that this would not be the intention. It seems to me that what Oblio is saying is that he feels it needs to be opened up to the widest audience possible. Rdr. Chris?
Under His Mercy,
Eusebios.

To be honest, I can't help but feel that both Photini and Wisdom's Child have made very good points, which should be kept in mind. Both debating in such a subforum and non-Orthodox members helping themselves to out-of-context quotes are neither one at all good outcomes of establishing such a resource.
My feelings of disappointment because I'm not as sharp or in as good health as I was when I was younger, which give rise to my belief that my time for attempting to take on the complete writings of the Early Church Fathers entirely on my own is long past, should not prevent you from seriously considering their misgivings.
I'm afraid I posted very much on impulse, and regret it. It's a brilliant idea, and should be a source of inspiration for TAW members, rather than one fraught with trouble and pain for you, don't you think? :)

[OrthodoxyUSA]

You can download the compiled help file I was talking about earlier here..
Caution: IT'S 60MB LARGE

Please download during the night (CST) as to not tie up my T1 for too long....

http://www.greerlawfirm.com/early_Church_fathers.zip

Forgive me..:priest:

[Matthias]

Good idea. I just don't think it will work at all.