If I were an atheist, and wanted to land a right hook on the chin of Christianity, I would aim first at its disunity. If one took serious inventory of the differences between Roman Catholics, Anglicans, Lutherans, Reformists, Pentecostals and the endless myriad of non-denominational churches (some estimate such churches to be numbered in the […]
Tag Archives: orthodox church
One of the most important insights I have gained from the Orthodox Christian faith is that the decision to obey Christ and to cleanse my heart are decisions imperative to being a Christian. The idea I learned from the independent churches I grew up in was that a believer’s heart was cleansed by a sovereign […]
What should consume a Christian’s interest is not self-produced virtue or belief, but rather truth. Virtue can very easily become autonomous; the ever present danger in pursuing the virtuous life for the sake of virtue itself. Likewise private belief has the same element of self-sufficiency, is every bit as isolating in nature. Truth is different. […]
The following is taken from the Prologue of Ohrid, April 22. During the time of Patriarch John the Merciful, a young monk appeared, who, as soon as he arrived, compiled a list of all the prostitutes in Alexandria. The asceticism of this young monk was exceptional and unique. During the day he would offer himself […]
The following is taken from the Prologue of Orhid, April 23. This glorious and victorious saint was born in Cappadocia, the son of wealthy and virtuous parents. His father suffered for Christ, and his mother then moved to Palestine. When George grew up he entered the military, where he attained, in his twentieth year, the […]
For some time I have desired to write an article addressing the Orthodox perspective on one of the most popular Evangelical teachings today known as the prosperity gospel. However, I recently discovered a short work that summarizes the issue quite nicely, which I would like to quote in full. The following is an excerpt from […]
The purpose of this article is to explore in greater depth the Orthodox view of Christ’s atoning work. As a convert from Protestantism I find this topic vital for a proper understanding of the primary differences between the Orthodox faith and its Western counterparts, i.e., Roman Catholicism and the various Protestant faiths. Due to the […]
Was Jesus Sent to Heal Man or to Heal God? This question is not meant to be funny; it’s a legitimate question in light of the prominent western theological view of Christ’s atoning work. According to the general atonement theory among Roman Catholics and Protestants, Jesus’ atoning work is understood as a “propitiation” for sin. […]
It was amazing that I had fit in for as long as I did. Looking back, I can’t believe I spent nearly 20 years in a Christian movement that was almost wholly cut off from dialogue with anyone on the outside. For someone like me, extreme in his tenacity for questioning everything, it is a […]
“Worship God in Spirit and in Truth” “In truth, for instance, when you say, ‘Hallowed be Thy Name.’ Do you really desire that God’s name should be hallowed by the good works of others and by your own? When you say, ‘Thy Kingdom come,’ do you indeed desire the coming of God’s Kingdom? Do you […]
I found this story of Saint Paulinus the Merciful (aka: St. Paulinus of Nola) in the Prologue of Ohrid during my morning reading and was struck by the sacrifice this bishop was willing to make for a mother and child entrusted to his care. This story is, for me, the epitome of a true shepherd […]
“God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise” (I Corinthians 1:27). Few men have been shrouded in legend more than the apostle of Ireland, Saint Patrick. Like all good Irish heroes of the past, Patrick has been dressed in so many mythical suits that it is difficult to separate the […]
Hipster Christianity has finally found its poet laureate in Jefferson Bethke who recently produced a video entitled “Why I Hate Religion but Love Jesus”. Here is the original video: I thought of writing a full response from the Orthodox perspective but a brilliant one has already been composed by Fr. Damick, author of “Orthodoxy and Heterodoxy.” […]
For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit and the water and the blood: and these three are together (1John 5:7-8). “When we read Holy Scripture, we should be alert […]
For the Orthodox Christian, the Church is essential for salvation; and of all Orthodox doctrines this is perhaps the most reprehensible from the Evangelical’s point of view, and in particular those of the effortless-Christianity persuasion. The difference lies in how salvation is understood between the two theological camps. For the Orthodox salvation is union with […]
In his new book entitled, “Orthodoxy and Heterodoxy,” Fr. Andrew Damick (Orthodox priest) describes with biting honesty the state of many American churches that have turned Christianity into a large self-help program. He writes: “Being consumer-oriented and consumer-driven, Christianity as self-help appeals to the selfishness of believers and caters to the cafeteria mentality of most […]
