Intellectual Catholicism Is the Eastern Orthodox Church the One True Church?: A Response to Seraphim Hamilton
Aug 28, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Erick Ybarra, a Catholic speaker with a deep grasp of theology, is joined by Ben Bollinger, a thoughtful commentator on church history, and Elijah Yasi, an insightful theologian on Eastern Orthodoxy. They tackle Seraphim Hamilton's claims about Eastern Orthodoxy being the true church, delving into papal infallibility and apostolic succession. Topics like the filioque controversy reveal historical tensions, while reflections on 11th-century reforms highlight the complexities of church authority. The conversation is a rich blend of respect and rigorous debate.
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Continuity As A Key Criterion
- Continuity of institutional succession is a central criterion for identifying the true church in the East-West debate.
- Erick Ybarra argues a universal representative (the papacy) empowers local bishops and preserves unity across history.
Both Sides Show Discontinuity
- Both East and West show historical discontinuities: Rome added the Filioque, and Byzantines later called it heresy.
- Erick Ybarra warns the East's harsh label of heresy created a greater discontinuity than Rome's addition.
Primacy Traces To Peter's Promise
- Early papal primacy claims trace back to divine promises to Peter, not merely to later juridical inventions.
- Ben Bollinger argues the origin of primacy matters: if Christ instituted Peter's headship, later administrative details don't negate its divine basis.
