Today I was thinking about the controversy between Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox. They both agree that a hierarchy is needed in order to define what truths are in accord with the Bible and which are not. However, these religions have different sets of doctrines. The bible doesn't say if all bishops have to be at council. From this fact I was wondering if perhaps a true Christianity would engage all bishops in the world to teach affirmatively for a doctrine in order for it to be infallible. The teaching of the Church are said to go back to Jesus himself. Jesus is said to have established a Church in Matthew 16:18 and 18:18. The book of Matthew first has the granting of authority to Peter (16:18) and then to the college of bishops as a whole (18:18). It seems to be a true Christianity that would arise from ecumenism would have the Protestants accepting the authority of the hierarchy but both Catholics and Eastern orthodox giving up their past teachings because all the bishops were not involved in any of the pastoral decisions. So there could be a new Church with new doctrines based on a unified hierarchy which would teach how to understand the Bible.

For Christians out there: what do you think?