why convert to orthodox christianity

Clickhereto learn more about the deeds we are talking of and to learn how you can become a part of our social ministry and help those in need. * The theological objections evangelicals have traditionally had with Rome on these two points rightly apply to Orthodoxy. An evangelical explores the ancient and alien world of the Eastern church. "The Orthodox Church of Christ never lost the 'unity of faith and the communion of the Holy Spirit' and does not accept the theory of the restoration of the unity of those "who believe in Christ," because it believes that the unity of those who believe in Christ already exists in the unity of all of Her baptized children, between themselves and In many of these lands, Orthodoxy exhibits an unveiled distrust and even xenophobia toward the massive influx of Western missionaries into their backyards. But this really begs another question: "Essential" for what? If our only reason for converting is more somber, reverent, and beautiful worship, the newness of this experience soon wanes. His response: "I don't know.". Converts to Orthodox Christianity in America in the Russian Church This absorbed my attention so much that I was apt to expound my current level of comprehension to anyone who stood still in my vicinity. This is not just an explanation but an apology, and even an appreciation for the perseverance of friendship in the face of truly annoying behavior. This is a sufficiently serious reason for reproach: We are right to expect that the Church will point out a path toward God, independently of the jolts and shocks of the epoch; that it will remain,. Those friends benefit, no doubt, from this opportunity to practice patience and long-suffering. Not to be outdone, the Orthodox could respond in kind. Second, whatever failings Western missionaries might bring to their work, and whether Orthodoxy likes to admit it, many Russians are responding very positively to a clear, contemporary presentation of the gospel by Protestant missionaries. Intellectuals, like one of my students at Moscow University, often disdain Orthodoxy as a "medieval mentality." No doubt, I felt at home when first attending the Divine Liturgy, but this was after months of study and discussion with other Orthodox people. John A. Peck, The Apostolic Mission of Journey To Orthodoxy. However, this is a mistaken viewpoint and can lead to the destruction of a persons faith. The West used unleavened bread, the East did not. While reading about the Orthodox Christian tradition is certainly important, it is crucial to stepliterallyinto an Orthodox Christian parish church near you to witness/experience the Churchs worship and fellowship. Believe in the Church as the true Body of Christ, and the Churchflawed people and allwill help lead you down the right path. In Protestantism there arose the doctrine of sola scriptura. Maybe you have to soak in it for years, till the evidence becomes overwhelming. Orthodoxy looked like taking that escalator up one more floor; plenty of ceremony and beauty, but without the mainline churches affection for keeping up-to-date. Thus Georges Florovsky once referred to tradition as "the witness of the Spirit.". I felt like Marco Polo. Christ is thus "the Offerer and the Offered, the Acceptor and the Distributed," all in such a way that nothing is added to his once-for-all sacrifice on the cross. The thesis that Eastern Orthodoxy is the true religion was turning out to bear the practical corollary that, to share fully and fruitfully in the life of the Body of Christ, one would almost have. In this Orthodox view, Scripture stands within rather than above the church, and to distinguish its authority from that of the church is a mistake of method.

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