5 Regrets of an Orthodox Christian Convert

Рет қаралды 18,174

11 ай бұрын

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Over a decade ago I began the process of converting to Orthodox Christianity. I was just over 20-years-old.
Initially, my conversion was marked by a dissatisfaction with what my baptist-leaning, non-denominational upbringing could offer - and I had been the subject of a pastoral abuse that fractured my teenage faith. The pop-Christian literature I could find at the local Christian bookstore was not enough to soothe the cognitive dissonance I was experiencing: how can profession Christians treat their fellow human beings this way? That’s when I started looking for spiritual nourishment elsewhere: first in Christian apologetics (because of my own doubts), then in philosophy, Hinduism, Buddhism, et al. until years later I arrived at the doorstep of Eastern Orthodox Christianity.
As I dove into the writings of Frederica Mathewes-Green, Metropolitans Kallistos Ware and Hierotheos Vlachos, Fr. Stephen Freeman, and Peter Gilquist, I was amazed to find that Eastern Orthodox spirituality contained a depth that I had not known in my previous Christian tradition. When I ran out of secondary sources, I began reading down the timeline of patristic literature, starting with the Apostolic Fathers, Irenaeus, Justin Martyr, and so on. But most importantly, I began praying. (Here I should mention that, back then, the internet was not overrun with content about Orthodoxy.)
I was incredibly well-read by the time of my catechumenate (something that I believe is common these days) but I was still naive; I treated the Church as some sort of perfect institution - which it is at the level of theologia (that is, insofar as it depends on God) but it certainly is not on the human level. This is typical of converts, I think - at least for a time. But it’s not healthy. And I made a lot of mistakes - and was really hurt - by my naïveté.
So, here are five things I wish I had done differently in those early days:
1. Start an online blog or equivalent
2. Quote-mine the Church Fathers
3. Try to convert or argue with others
4. Idealize priests
5. Attend seminary too soon
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Пікірлер: 130

@Theoria 11 ай бұрын

I see that i need to clarify my statement about the Church. Let’s be clear: The church is the body of Christ; there is no salvation outside of Christ. But to claim that Christ is only in the Orthodox Church - and only those in the Orthodox Church will be saved - misses the mark. Anyone who is saved is saved through Christ (and through his body, the Church) but it does not mean everyone in the Orthodox Church will be saved - nor does it mean that everyone outside the Orthodox Church will be damned. There’s a seeming paradox here (as there is in most Orthodox theology). Ultimately, it’s a mystery. And we should focus on our own life in Christ.

@Theoria 11 ай бұрын

Also: what I’m saying was refuted was Cyprian’s stance on baptism and reception.

@Theoria 11 ай бұрын

Info here: theoriatv.substack.com/p/rebaptism-patristic-consensus-or

@markpatterson2517 11 ай бұрын

Jesus said he had sheep in other folds he will bring into one flock. A sheepfold is an enclosed space with a gate or door. A flock is not enclosed but kept together by the shepherd. Jesus said he is the sheep gate. Jesus said his sheep hear his voice, recognize it, and follow him. His voice (breath) is the Spirit. Resurrected, he breathed on his disciples and told them to receive the Spirit. His sheep have ears to hear his Spirit. No church door can keep the Spirit confined in its sheepfold. No church door can keep the Spirit from entering its sheepfold and calling those sheep of Christ there. The Spirit blows where he wills. Jesus also said his sheep (as opposed to goats) are those who do charity to the least of his brethren. In the end, the Good Shepherd gets to decide who are his sheep in other folds.

@E-mw3il 11 ай бұрын

"But to claim that Christ is only in the Orthodox Church ... misses the mark" ... can you elaborate, how is Christ outside the Orthodox Church?

@markpatterson2517 11 ай бұрын

@@E-mw3il The good Shepherd has sheep in other folds. They recognize his voice. His voice is his Spirit. His Spirit blows where he wills. He goes into other churches calling Christ's sheep there. They recognize his voice because they have his Spirit in their ears. He will bring them into one flock.

@znovosad555 11 ай бұрын

I think a common problem we face as an Orthodox community is how hyper focused people tend to get about dogma. Our prayer lives and reading the scriptures is the most important aspect of our daily lives. And on the salvation I think people tend to forget us they too are believers in Christ. They have part of it but their spiritual life could be seen as incomplete. Salvation is ultimately through the Orthodox Church, but God may decide someone who’s not Orthodox receives salvation. And like you said just being orthodox doesn’t mean you’re necessarily saved. The whole life of being a practicing orthodox Christian is how we may reach that point. God knows all. Genuine from disingenuous. Caring about each others salvation is praying for each other, loving each other, having open dialogue. Not anathematizing people we don’t even know

@Theoria 11 ай бұрын

🙏

@billyhooks99 11 ай бұрын

Wow I am 65 and have for the last year have been reading about 1st century church history and the church fathers after St Paul. Most my beliefs lean toward Orthodoxy but all the Orthodoox assemblies are 1 hour from my home one way. Thanks for the inspiration.

@SDAM- 11 ай бұрын

Same here but I'm 17 and don't have a car, so it's almost impossible for me to go to an Orthodox church every Sunday, England has barely any Orthodox churches and most speak foreign languages and only accept immigrants (closest speak Romanian Unsure if they have an English liturgy)so it's really going to be difficult for me, I Hope and pray you to find a great church.

@parkermize 11 ай бұрын

Visiting once a month would be well worth it.

@Elite_Orthodox 11 ай бұрын

@@SDAM-I’m in the same exact situation, i’m also 17, my parents aren’t converting so I rely on my orthodox friends to take me, the Lord knows the best time for us.

@mariusfilip1847 11 ай бұрын

@@SDAM- I live in Britain, in London. If I can be of any help, please do let me know and might get in touch.

@mariusfilip1847 11 ай бұрын

@@Elite_Orthodox do you live in Britain?

@FrVladZablotskyy 11 ай бұрын

There are times when the priest(s) need to be authoritative. Especially when it comes to the well-being of the flock entrusted to him.

@abeliever1843 8 ай бұрын

Thank you so much I have been Orthodox for 6 months now... I am now regretting my zeal and immature way of "preaching" to my friends. I love Orthodoxy and yet, I need to pray about my zeal. Cricky, I am so grateful to hear you.

@Theoria 8 ай бұрын

🙏

@pcsksa5 11 ай бұрын

Thank you for your videos. Having beeen an Orthodox form a very young age, there are many things that I have been taking "on face value", while listening to you makes me think more. Thanks again.

@Theoria 11 ай бұрын

🙏

@SDAM- 11 ай бұрын

Im not Orthodox yet (would be if there was a church nearby but there is not and the closest 1hr away speaks Romanian even if i spoke it, i don't own a car and I'd soon run out of money taking the train every Sunday at age 17) hope to be in the near future im completely lost in life and need God's Guidance please pray for me and my (non-church-going) family and my Anglican and methodist Grandmothers I don't want them to go to Hell. I know the EOC is the truest and original unchanged church founded by Jesus, i don't understand all the bit and bobs yet but i hope God lets me have a family and be stable with a Good church community. Lord Jesus Guide, protect, and forgive me.

@mariusfilip1847 11 ай бұрын

Pray for your family; pray, pray, pray. We know where the Church is, but we don't know where it is not. People get saved by the Grace of God and we don't know whom He will bestow that grace upon. God is sovereign to save whoever He pleases, so we should never lose hope. Pray also for your journey, surely the Lord will show a way to continue your path to Salvation.

@TruePluto 2 ай бұрын

You're from the UK, me too and I am 18. If you want we can be friends I am going through a similar thing

@FatherAndTeacherTV 11 ай бұрын

Appreciate the honesty!

@fxsurfer 11 ай бұрын

Great video, thanks for making this video, so humbling.

@Saint_nobody 11 ай бұрын

Quite fascinating. Thank you for sharing, brother. God bless you and yours. ✌️ and 👖

@ExplainingChristianity 11 ай бұрын

Cannot wait!

@user-db1iv5bu8o 5 ай бұрын

So awesome...this message is such a blessing...and confirms my struggles...that were kinda painful only because i thought i was not " conforming" and not doing things...or getting things fast enough

@Terri7665 10 ай бұрын

New to this channel. Such good content. Thank you 🙏😊

@440SPN 11 ай бұрын

Thank you for sharing.💕

@davidkehrer7342 11 ай бұрын

Thank you for sharing, God be with you

@justin_sanchez_ 11 ай бұрын

There is no salvation outside of the Orthodox Church because there is no salvation outside of Jesus Christ and the Church is His bride. This has not been refuted. If you're saying that there will be non-Orthodox in Paradise, then, sure, God will save who He will save. But not being in the Church, they are still saved by the Church through Jesus Christ.

@Theoria 11 ай бұрын

I see need to clarify my statement about the Church. Let’s be clear: The church is the body of Christ; there is no salvation outside of Christ. But to claim that Christ is only in “the Orthodox Church” - and only those in the Orthodox Church will be saved - misses the mark. Anyone who is saved is saved through Christ (and his body, the Church) but it does not mean everyone in the Orthodox Church will be saved-Nor does it mean that everyone outside the Orthodox Church will be damned. There’s a seeming paradox here (as there is in most Orthodox theology). Ultimately, it’s a mystery.

@Thecodeist 11 ай бұрын

They will be saved yes but they will not be allowed into the inner courtyards of heaven they will only get to watch from afar because they have no been sealed by the holy baptism and absorbed the body and blood of Christ. They will only understand this once they get there

@SAHOVNICU 10 ай бұрын

Please show me one document from tradition where the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church ever identified itself as the Orthodox Church.

@user-ne8vl2uh8g 9 ай бұрын

@@ThecodeistYou make sense but that's not true..Once your in the new Kingdom your in..Maybe purification will take longer for them.. That's entirely Gods decision ❤

@Kitkatklaws 9 ай бұрын

@@Thecodeistyou have absolutely no idea if this is true lmao.

@tubumaulyfortasuhantopakpa3105 11 ай бұрын

Your regrets are the very things that makes me still learning about orthodoxy before really converting, I don't wanna be a stumbling stone that makes people think bad or wrongly about orthodox church Here I am after 11 years of learning and still don't have the confidence to convert to eastern orthodox because of the reasons I've written above

@KnoxEmDown 10 ай бұрын

In the end the Church is for sinners like us to repent and partake of God and His Mysteries. There are already people far less humble than you, God bless them, who are fully Baptized and Chrismated into it. I say give your fears up to God and go, the devil prefers people in fear over people in communion.

@gabrielgabriel5177 2 ай бұрын

There are orthodox people who were babtized as babies and some of them never even tried to live holy lives. if you want to be orthodox you should join the church that is only a start not the goal

@ndmmt-wu7kz 11 ай бұрын

I think you are being very hard on yourself. Converys to my Church have similar zeal, “the zeal of the converted”. There is no salvation outside of Christ, but there is also a baptism of fire and a baptism of the Spirit. There is a prominent KZfaq convert from Protestantism to my Church that has a similar fire. God bless you and her. I can see why you (and her) might consider those of us born into your and my Church lacadasical at times, but at least in my case I have experience with the flaws in my Church at a ground level. Both you and I “swim in a Protestant sea” in this nation-the point is I couldn’t live a normal life without being forced to question various doctrines, if only because I am confronted with forcefully articulated opposing viewpoints at every turn. Orthodoxy is a stunningly beautiful viewpoint of Christianity. I hope you partake in its beauty.

@Aleksandr-Herman 6 ай бұрын

Well said. Thank you for sharing.

@kentwood9821 5 ай бұрын

As a prideful person I need to hear this again and again. Well said and thanks for passing it along!

@rebeccar19 2 ай бұрын

With Orthodoxy having more converts recently, I think your last piece of advice is the most helpful. Converts are excited and want to share what they learned with the world. But it's important to temper that with patience and being quiet.

@thewrightoknow 2 ай бұрын

As a Christian, The Holy Spirit in me wants to have fellowship with The Holy Spirit in another Christian. The Holy Spirit doesn't discern what church we are members of!

@carpentersson77 11 ай бұрын

Thank you for your honesty. Being orthodox (OO) for two years now I appreciate and value the points you are bringing up you regret. And there are propably some traps to avoid now that you name them. I am just on my first steps now in this particular faith. Started reading Saints and happily found a priest who might give advice and guidance. May the LORD 🕊️ bless your ways.

@jonashassel5404 10 ай бұрын

🌋THE GOSPEL OF THE WORD OF ALMIGHTY GOD "the last age in which God saves man from the destruction of this old world" (The proclamation of the commandments of the new age is a testimony to the fact that all people in this flow, all who hear the voice of God today, have entered a new age. The commandments of the new age are a symbol that the God and man have entered into the sphere of a new heaven and a new earth, and that God, as Jehovah did to the Israelites and Jesus did to the Jews, will do more practical work, and do of more and greater work on earth. They are also symbolic that this group of people will receive more and greater instructions from God, and will be provided for, fed, supported, cared for, and protected by Him in a practical way, He will give more practical training, and will be treated, crushed, and refined by the word of God. These also suggest that the practical God will do more practical work on earth to perfect the all His elect. There is one aspect of practical significance in the commandments of the new age: They serve as a link between the Age of Grace and the Age of Kingdom. The commandments of the new age emphasize one point: That man will worship the practical God Himself now, which involves a more practical submission to the spirit of the Spirit. The commandments also emphasize the principles that God will use to judge man whether he is guilty or righteous after He appears as the Day of righteousness.) Almighty God said The RELEASE of the COMMANDMENTS of the NEW AGE is a TESTIMONY to the TRUTH that ALL PEOPLE in this FLOW, ALL WHO HEAR the VOICE of GOD NOW, have ENTERED into a NEW AGE. This is a NEW BEGINNING for GOD'S WORK, and also a BEGINNING of the LAST PART of the WORK in GOD'S PLAN of GOVERNMENT for SIX THOUSAND YEARS. ☀️🙏 The COMMANDMENTS of the NEW AGE are a SYMBOL that GOD and MAN have ENTERED the SCOPE of a NEW HEAVEN and NEW EARTH, and that God, just as JEHOVAH DID to the ISRAELITES and JESUS DID to the JEWS, will DO of more PRACTICAL WORK, and WILL DO MORE and GREATER WORK on EARTH. 🙏 They are also a SYMBOL that this GROUP of PEOPLE will RECEIVE MORE and GREATER INSTRUCTIONS from God, and He will provide, feed, support, care for, and protect in a practical way, He will give even more practical training, and treatment, will be crushed, and refined by the word of God. 🙏 The significance of the commandments of the new age is quite profound. They suggest that God will actually APPEAR on EARTH, where He will CONQUER the ENTIRE UNIVERSE, REVEALING His FULL GLORY in human flesh. They also suggest that the PRACTICAL GOD WILL DO MORE PRACTICAL WORK ON EARTH to MAKE ALL OF HIS CHOSEN PERFECT.🙏 In addition to that, GOD WILL FULFILL EVERYTHING ON EARTH WITH THE WORDS, and DECLARE THE COMMANDMENT that "God incarnate will be exalted and magnified, and all people and all nations will bow down to worship God, that's great." ☀️🙏 Although the commandments of the new age are for man to obey, and although it is man's duty and obligation to do so, the meaning they represent is too profound to be fully expressed in one or two words. The COMMANDMENTS of the NEW AGE REPLACE the COMMANDMENTS in the Old Testament and the ordinances in the New Testament as REVEALED by JEHOVAH and JESUS. 🙏 This is a DEEPER LESSON, NOT AS SIMPLE A THING AS MAN MAY THINK. There is an ASPECT of PRACTICAL SIGNIFICANCE in the NEW AGE COMMANDMENTS: They serve as a link between the Age of Grace and the Age of Kingdom. The NEW AGE COMMANDMENTS END ALL PRACTICES and ORDINANCES in the OLD AGE, as well as ALL PRACTICES from the AGE of JESUS and the PRACTICES BEFORE THAT. ☀️ They BRING MAN into the PRESENCE of a more PRACTICAL GOD, ALLOWING him to BEGIN PERSONALLY PERFECTED by GOD; they are the BEGINNING OF THE PATH TO BEING PERFECT. THEREFORE, you must HAVE A RIGHT ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE COMMANDMENTS OF THE NEW AGE, and DO NOT FOLLOW them lightly--just DESPISE them. The commandments of the NEW AGE STRESS ONE POINT: THAT MAN WILL PRACTICALLY WORSHIP GOD HIMSELF NOW, INCLUDING A MORE PRACTICAL SUBJECT TO THE SPIRIT. The commandments also emphasize the PRINCIPLES GOD WILL USE to JUDGE man whether he is SINFUL or RIGHTEOUS AFTER HE APPEARS as the DAY of RIGHTEOUSNESS. 🙏☀️ COMMANDMENTS are EASIER to UNDERSTAND than to DO. From this, IT CAN BE SEEN that if GOD WANTS TO MAKE MAN PERFECT, HE HAS TO DO IT THROUGH HIS OWN WORDS and GUIDANCE, and MAN CANNOT BE PERFECT THROUGH HIS OWN NATURAL INTELLIGENCE alone. WHETHER A MAN CAN FOLLOW THE COMMANDMENTS OF THE NEW AGE OR NOT HAS A KNOWLEDGE OF MAN'S KNOWLEDGE OF PRACTICAL GOD. Consequently, whether or not you can obey the commandments is not a question that can be resolved in just a few days. This is a very profound lesson to learn.🙏 From "Obeying the Commandments and Practicing the Truth" Fulfillment of "When I looked up, someone handed me a book wrapped in a scroll. I opened it and I read on both sides the prayers, sorrows, and curses." (Ezekiel 2:9-10). ... "His clothes were stained with blood. He was called the "Word of God" (Rev. 19:13). The kingdom He brought down and set up in the highest in the sky so that it can occupy His creation in the universe and engrave on it the entirety of His Holy name "THE CHURCH OF ALMIGHTY GOD" 💐 fulfillment of (Mat. 16:18) "And I say as for you, you are Peter, on top of this rock I will build my Church, that even the power of death will not be able to overcome it.". ... and "The Letter to the Church in Philadelphia" (Rev. 3:7-13). ... And fulfillment of "The New Jerusalem" 💫 "The Spirit enveloped me, and the angel led me to the top of a very high mountain. He showed Me Jerusalem, the Holy City, coming down from heaven from God." (Rev. 3:7-13). ... " For the time has come in the house of God for the beginning of judgment in the house of God." (1 Peter 4:17). ... It is fulfilled that God Himself is our Pastor in (Rev. 7:17) 💐 "For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their PASTOR. He will lead them to springs of life-giving water; and God will wipe away the tears from their eyes" 📩 Calling and leading the sheep of God to His glorious Throne "THE CHURCH OF ALMIGHTY GOD"💐 to submit again to His authority so that He will continue to teach, guide and protect even in plague, famine and wild animals will not be moved by it and completely win this final battle with the big red dragon! "They say with a loud voice, "Salvation comes from the Lamb, and from our God who sits on the Throne!" (Rev. 7:10). ... and fulfillment that will be established above the sky/KZfaq in (Isaiah 2: 2 / 9:6) "On the Last Day, the mountain on which Jehovah's temple stands will stand out above all the mountains. All nations will flock there. " . . . "For a baby boy is born to us. The rule will be given to him; and he shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Almighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace." 📨

@thenarrowdoor7 11 ай бұрын

You can go to church , but if you are not in the narrow door everyday , then you are not orthodox , orthodox is not just a paper sign that says im orthodox , orthodox is living in the narrow door , thinking and praying to god 24/7 . If ur mind is thinking about the world , then you are not orthodox even if you are baptized there. And the full baptism starts in repentence .

@johnrep9690 20 күн бұрын

Miss your reflections!

@tallmikbcroft6937 7 ай бұрын

Thank you.. this is helpful.

@gunzoutnodoubt6627 9 ай бұрын

This topic should be explained by a preist or a monastic. Lay people have no authority to spread church related topics that can be tainted by one's own personal opinions.

@andreaurelius45 11 ай бұрын

There is a steep curve to learning the new Inheritance.

@ICONFESSONEBAPTISM 9 ай бұрын

Are you going to do a video on the book by uncut mountain press about reception of the heterodox? I see you have various articles written on the whole subject.

@ICanRideMiBikeWithNoHandleBars Ай бұрын

Thanks for making this video. I’m a recent convert to Orthodoxy, glory to God. I would say that there is only salvation in the Orthodox Church, however, God has grace for those outside of His Church - He so loves all the world and He alone determines who is in His kingdom or not. I think this is a tricky issue for ex-Protestants because we were taught a warped view of salvation, and our loved ones push back on us when we say “Salvation is only found in the Church”. This statement offends the misguided understanding of Protestant salvation; this false understanding of salvation leads them to being ecumenists - no one can have true Christianity because they all interpret Holy Scripture differently; they reduce their beliefs down to two common denominators: Sola Scriptura and Sola Fide, aka “All I need is (Faith in)Jesus and the Bible”. This is prideful and is causes prelest. I appreciate you sharing your thoughts, brother. It’s hard to condense all my thoughts into a comment, please have grace and pray for me. Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on us!

@jamesSmith-fl5wv 9 ай бұрын

So is orthodoxy the same as being catholic in everything but name because it seems like it is? What's the difference?

@orthodoxboomergrandma3561 10 ай бұрын

It’s good to focus on ones repentance and catharsis leading up to the life confession before baptism…and the life of prayer…

@lucas953 9 ай бұрын

That's some wisdom right there

@anonnymouse554 3 ай бұрын

One regret is that I can't share my faith with my family. I'm certainly to blame in part, but they just don't want to talk about it. But my biggest regret is not entering the Church sooner. Orthodoxy is awesome!!!

@chaseyung1037 11 ай бұрын

THERE ARE NO REGRETS TO ACHIEVING ORTHODOXY THE TRUTH

@SAHOVNICU 10 ай бұрын

Your schismatic sect is under Anathema as per canon 110 of the Council of Carthage in 419 AD for denying that Original sin must be washed away with baptism. Hardly the truth.

@josephmary969 11 ай бұрын

would you please share the times when st cyprian was refuted?

@Giorginho 11 ай бұрын

That there is no salvation outside the Church is basic Orthodox doctrine that cannot and has not been refuted

@Theoria 11 ай бұрын

@DKjellby 9 ай бұрын

What are your thoughts about the Old Believers?

@4sake687 11 ай бұрын

I want to convert to Orthodoxy from protestant Christianity but I don’t know exactly where to start. Any tips on where to begin?

@culpepper7665 11 ай бұрын

Yes, your local parish. Go talk to them

@4sake687 11 ай бұрын

@@culpepper7665 Thank you!!!

@user-mp2zw6kf8h 10 ай бұрын

Find a orthodox church

@michellestansberry9101 7 ай бұрын

Thank you and you’re doing this for people like me! Currently in RCIA coming from LDS faith and feeling confused. I don’t agree with an infallible pope! Look at how he abuses power now!

@heatherpomponi2945 11 ай бұрын

Can you please give more information about how the idea changed that those outside of the church are not saved?

@Theoria 11 ай бұрын

@heatherpomponi2945 11 ай бұрын

@@Theoria thank you for this clarification. It’s actually one of the reasons why I am hesitant in my inquiry into Orthodoxy. I’ve had many experiences where I KNOW that God has spoken to me, that He leads me and forgives me lovingly. I also have many relatives and some who have passed on that I cannot imagine would be burning in hell. One can never know, but these people have had a profound influence on my own faith. When I hear people say that the Orthodox believe that salvation is only through entering the church, it is something I really grapple with. I believe that Orthodoxy is the true church, and my desire is to convert. However, God speaks me to every Sunday through my current church. There are even times when I’ve told God, “if only you were here…” and literally in that moment someone from my church reached out. I cannot reconcile the two. So I’ve been praying for God’s leading and His timing on this matter. Thank you for clarifying, and for this channel. I’m learning so much.

@Theoria 11 ай бұрын

@@heatherpomponi2945 🙏

@jonashassel5404 10 ай бұрын

@legionalphgt9271 11 ай бұрын

Can you do a video on Matthew 6 7?

@MrSilver2nd 11 ай бұрын

🙏☦️

@user-iw6vf4vl7n 5 ай бұрын

there were people that had the correct faith but they didn't manage to get baptised although Christ that we should (martyrs that converted before death and died as christians when christianity was illegal rather than dying for other reasons they were detained) and they are commemorated as martyrs. that's what you meant that God has priorities and in extreme cases even people who didn't formally receive a baptism but somehow changed towards the correct faith (not to a heretical faith) could be saved in extreme cases even if they were never baptised or never took the communion?

@sidorgeorge 7 ай бұрын

This video illustrates the problem with taking man's word, over what the Christian church as a whole has determined what is God's Word, and that's the Bible, OT and NT. The vast majority of OT and NT books are agreed as being scripture by almost all denominations. So, there is danger in elevating a church father's writings over the actual inspired Word of God. Is there value in the different church father's writings? Certainly, there can be. And yet, if you never read any of the church fathers, but only ever read the OT and NT, would you really be deprived of anything? I would argue, no. For example, there are many books out there, which talk about scripture, and help explain it. Books on theology, etc. They talk about God, and perhaps study various books of the Bible. And there is value in them. But they aren't at the level of the actual scripture. And they aren't inerrant. The various church father's writings don't always agree. I would argue that, everyone is far better served in studying the OT/NT the majority of the time, and only reading various church father's on occasion. Otherwise, you begin to elevate non-scriptural writings beyond their proper place. The other thing to remember, is that Jesus NEVER said that salvation is found in a church. There is absolutely nothing in the NT that says that. However, in John 14:16, Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." No mention of the church there. It's our relationship with Jesus, that determines our salvation. Not our relationship with the church. The Bible also says, that salvation is found in no other name, than the name of Jesus.

@nathanh.9767 11 ай бұрын

‘So are you saying evangelization isn’t important? Or that denomination doesn’t matter? Should we not try and lead others to the true church?’ Great video!! but even though I don’t think this is necessarily what you’re saying I feel like people are going to take it this way. It might pay to clarify these points in a comment or something if that indeed isn’t what you’re saying

@joeskill4663 7 ай бұрын

👍🏽❤️‍🩹

@Samuel33777 10 ай бұрын

You are still in a journey

@annie5441 9 ай бұрын

ONLY THOSE WHO BELIEVE JESUS’ EVERY WORD SHALL ENTER GOD'S KINGDOM. NO MAN CAN SEE GOD AND LIVE, YET MEN SAY JESUS IS GOD. THIS IS SO CONTRARY TO GOD'S WORD; THEY ARE BLIND LEADERS OF THE BLIND AND BOTH SHALL FALL INTO THE DITCH [HELL] (MATTHEW 15:14). IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE NATURAL MAN TO RECEIVE THE THINGS OF GOD. IT IS THE ROLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, FOR HE IS THE REVEALER OF GOD’S WORDS THROUGH JESUS (JOHN 14:26). THOSE WITHOUT THE HOLY GHOST SEEK TO FIND ANSWERS TO THEIR OWN BELIEFS BY AFFIRMING THEMSELVES WITH RANDOM VERSES TO PROVE JESUS IS GOD. INSTEAD, THEY ARE GOING AGAINST GOD AND HIS SON. THOSE WHO READ AND OBEY GOD'S WORDS THROUGH JESUS WILL BE WITH GOD (JOHN 8:47). IT APPEARS TO THOSE WITHOUT GOD'S SPIRIT THAT JESUS IS GOD BECAUSE THEY ARE BLIND TO THE TRUTH; TURN TO GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND RECEIVE HIS SPIRIT. ONLY THEN WILL YOU UNDERSTAND THE MEANING OF 1 CORINTHIANS 2:14.

@UriahBixbyUnCut 8 ай бұрын

Bro I understand where your coming from man but we should definitely talk about it more because you made errors as well because of the church you been too man. That church didn't have Jesus in the doctrine. His name was in it of course but that's not right on what they made you summit too. That sounds more Catholic to me. I follow Jesus and don't know the saints. They say the saints are so holy as God but that's false. The BIBLE tells us that if you claim you are not a sinner the Truth ain't in you. We all done things wrong,sinned, missed the mark but God has mercy for the ones who pray to him with there heart. You were scared and the Truth was not in your church. Jesus is the only way and that is the main person we should always be studying as a Christian. I get where your coming from bro. Also Jesus says that a church is 2 or more people talking about god.

@charlesnunno8377 3 ай бұрын

This constant talking of yourself down, if sincere is very unhealthy, and it is what I object too in Christianity, because it makes you meek and cowardly. If insincere the necessity to fight, and survive, will make you fake, which will up the humble signalling, and then you will infringe on the freedom and dignity of others. This leads to schizophrenia. That's the problem. No faith outside the church vs. some, Don't treat the Priest like a god vs. he effectively gets the trust of something more than a god. It is this meekness under abuse which devastated my life. And I am not falling for it again.

@annie5441 8 ай бұрын

WARNING TO CATHOLICS AND ALL WHO SAY JESUS IS GOD: THIS COMES FROM JESUS HIMSELF; IN HIS PRAYER TO THE FATHER, JESUS SAYS, “AND THIS IS LIFE ETERNAL, THAT THEY MIGHT KNOW YOU, THE ONLY TRUE GOD, AND JESUS CHRIST, WHOM THOU HAST SENT” (JOHN 17:3). JESUS SAID “THE FATHER IS WITH HIM AND HAS NOT LEFT HIM ALONE” (JOHN 8:29). JESUS IS NOT GOD AND CONFIRMS THIS WHEN HE SAYS, “MY FATHER IS GREATER THAN I” (JOHN 14:28). IT IS GOD'S POWER AND SPIRIT INCARNATE IN JESUS, NOT GOD HIMSELF. IT IS GOD'S POWER AND SPIRIT THAT DOES ALL THINGS THROUGH JESUS (MATTHEW 12:28). ALL WHO GO AGAINST THIS ARE GOING AGAINST GOD, NOT MAN. HELL AWAITS THOSE WHO REJECT THE WORDS OF GOD THROUGH JESUS.

@Orthodoxi 11 ай бұрын

The visible Orthodox Church in the world has fallen to an evil incursion in our time and is blinded by the fruit of an evil attack no doubt. Only our Holy Fathers can and will sort this out. And theChurch Fathers have the given authority in their hands alone to chose good or evil for the Church. Just as Judas and St. Peter did, as ever will be done again until the end. But the attempt in this normal cyclical process to engender rebirth within, this attempt to, through that back door, sneak in and graft mans ever evolving old sin as fruit into the Church, is a hideous abomination. Those who cannot see and understand this have no business in saying anything at all. So yes, if you have no vantage to grasp this battle of powers and principalities, stay well clear of it and pray for our Fathers. Those as Judas and those as St. Peter. For in them alone is the battle for power over death and life being waged. Some will be blinded till it is too late, the price of our Lords death bartered and waged. And some transfigured, having through it been reborn on the Cross.