[Kolokotronis]

"You put your faith in the infallibility of the Church."

I can't speak for Dr. E and Gamecock, but I think its safe to say that Kosta and Alex do, as do I.

"Contrary to what is often purported the Church has historically made some errors. (e.g. Did it ever return the money for the indulgences people erroneously purchased?)"

As Kosta pointed out, particular churches within The Church have erred. Even +JPII admitted that. The Church has never erred.

"How do you know that what is touted as Church doctrine today won't be changed 50 years from now?"

Easy, Orthodoxy hasn't changed its doctrine and dogmas since the 7th Ecumenical Council. Without a Great Council of The Church, there will be no change in the future.

"...the word of God is infallible-it never changes." What does "the word of God is infallible" mean?

"This position is consistent with the early church fathers who themselves determined what was inspired and what wasn't inspired writings. They made a distinction and referred back to scripture-not to other church fathers."

The Fathers constantly referred to each others writings, Harley. Where did you get this idea?

"I would suggest these views of the Church hierarchy being infallible are at odds with what the church fathers original views were."

Harley, no one believes the hierarchy are infallible. The Latin Church believes that under certain very narrow circumstances the Pope is infallible. Orthodoxy doesn't accept that at all.


"

[HarleyD]

HD-"How do you know that what is touted as Church doctrine today won't be changed 50 years from now?"

Kolo-"Easy, Orthodoxy hasn't changed its doctrine and dogmas since the 7th Ecumenical Council."

The 7th Ecumenical Council met to refute iconoclasm (veneration of idols). Are you saying this was a change in Church doctrine?

The Fathers constantly referred to each others writings, Harley.

Yes the fathers referred to each others writings-sometimes pleasant, sometimes not so. They didn't referred to them as inspired. John Cassian who the Eastern Orthodox revere was looked upon as a heretic in the west. I doubt if you'll find many of the early western church fathers referring to his writings.