Describe three controversies that led to the distinctions between Essay

Describe three controversies that led to the distinctions between Orthodox and Western Christianity - Essay Example On the other hand, the bishop of Rome governed the western group implying its administration was under a single bishop. As a result, basic theological differences emerged between the eastern and the western Christians (Vidmar 47). Separation between the Roman Catholic Church rather the western Christianity and the Eastern Orthodox Christianity was primarily based on deviation by Rome from the seven ecumenical councils’ original conclusions. This included the universal papal supremacy claim. Similarly, â€Å"Filoque controversy† is noted as another contributing factor to the difference between the two religions. The insertion of the phrase into the Nicene Creed changed the implication of the Holy Spirit source. Rather than in the usual perception of its origin from the Father, the â€Å"Filogue† which meant from the son, changed the Creed to imply both the Father and the Son were the source of the Holy Spirit. Despite the western emphasis of Christ’s divinity, the Orthodox Christians were against the alterations and the emerging meaning after the insertion. According to the Eastern Christians, the Father defines the origin of both the Son and the Holy Spirit (Ware 56). The concept of â€Å"Sola Scripture† is another area that distinguishes the western Christianity from the Orthodox. According to the western Christians, the â€Å"Scripture alone† rather the â€Å"Sola Scripture† claim that God’s word can be clearly comprehended and construed by an individual believer. Therefore, it is sufficient to be defined as the final authority under the western Christianity; however, the Orthodox posits that the Holy Scripture in the Holy tradition are of equal importance and value. Their definition of the Holy Scripture stems from the definition and interpretation affirmed in the first seven ecumenical council’s teachings by the church. In addition, the difference in theological approaches explains the distinction that exists between the Western Christianity and