I won't co-sign Newman fully, but at the very least, "To be deep in history is to cease to be a KJV-Only fundamental Baptist".

Enjoyed this. I’ve wrestled with the whole “sinners prayer” my entire Christian life.

I'm not a big fan of the "via media" term because I find it generally unhelpful. I would focus more on the fact that we listen well to the consensus of the Church over the centuries. I would argue Anglicans have generally done this better than any other tradition. I thought you discussed this pretty well!

I had a very similar experience coming to Anglicanism. I came from Hebrew Roots and started studying the temple liturgy and a friend invited me to a Greek Orthodox Church and I went there for a while and then ended up in an Anglican Church because it was the via media. Also, I grew up Independent Baptist KJV only!

I had the exact same experience. I grew up baptist and I fell in love with the Eastern Orthodox theology. However I had a few qualms with the exclusivity of EO. Anglicanism has been the one denomination that I feel comes closest to heart of the early church and the love of Christ.

Hi brother, thanks for the video. I myself came out of the pentecostal tradition. I think we share a similar experience, though I ended up in the confessional Lutheran Church (specifically LCMS), for which I give God thanks because has changed my life and faith. I also have respect for the Anglican tradition. God bless!

I also started off in the independent fundamentalist baptist church. I was ordained deacon in 2008 and a year later priest in the Anglican Church. Many of the same reasons.

Good stuff here! I like your explanation of "by grace through faith."

I took a similar route to Anglicanism myself. Raised Methodist, IFB in early adulthood and found Anglicanism through investigating Eastern Orthodoxy in my late 50's.

That part of the sacraments providing an objective assurance of salvation for failing Christians was quite interesting. For a Christian to even have the courage to still return to God even though he/she failed miserably actually is evidence of genuine salvation.

Very interesting video, thank you for your testimony

Thank you for sharing your experiences leading you to the Anglican Church, Im ExJW discovered I was in a cult just over a year ago and got heavily into the King James controversy since the missing verses support fundamental doctrines like the trinity and make JW doctrine impossible. The KJB literally changed my religious worldview I went from denying/twisting all the fundamentals of the Christian faith to believing them. I believed the sinners prayer understanding of salvation for a while then finally listened to apologists from different Christian traditions and tried not to let my former ideas, bias me too much. I also was getting very interested in orthodoxy and value much of that tradition but I also have some hang ups that I just can’t get past and your explanation of the Anglican approach has made me lean heavily towards them. Loved your explanation of Sacramental theology and the traditional liturgy.

I'm glad this video popped up as I was scrolling through KZfaq. I remember when you first posted this. God has done some great things in your life, Fr. James.

Thank you very much for this video, I love the prayer before the Eucharist that we all say before going to the alter to partake in the meal.

I used to be an IFB pastor. I’m now a Reformed pastor. Extreme low views of the sacraments and even neglect of the sacraments is one of the reasons I left the IFB. Other reasons were the anti-Protestant mentality, dishonesty about Church History, a rejection of historic Confessions of faith, pelagianism, antinomianism, decisional regeneration, extreme dispensationalism, non-repentance gospel, divine inspiration of the KJV, irreverent worship, and many more. Not to say all IFB churches stand for these things but my group did. John Wesley got me rethinking my views while serving in the Philippines as an IFB evangelist. From there I began using the Book of Common Prayer which transformed my spiritual life in so many ways. I then got ahold of the Westminster Confession of Faith and in January will begin to function as a licensed preacher and assistant pastor in a Calvinistic Methodist church. Interesting to see how God led you out of the IFB back to a more historic Christian church. Glory be to the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Very good points! By the way, the prayer of humble access is also my favorite prayer. I pray it always before receiving holy communion.

Great video. I agree that Orthodoxy is beautiful, but very alien to most western minds. Traditional Anglican/Anglican Catholic tends to feel like "coming home" to the soul.

Wow, this is so similar to my journey. I grew up a convinced southern Baptist, but began to question some of my long held beliefs such as OSAS and the symbolic-only understanding of the ‘ordinances’. I considered the claims of Rome, but ultimately found the biblical and historical case for the papacy unconvincing. I seriously explored Easter Orthodoxy and was even a catechumen for a brief time, but had some key reservations which kept me from swimming the Bosphorus. I finally landed In Traditional Anglicanism about 15 years ago, and have been a member of the local ACNA mission parish for the past 12 years.

Wow, as someone who was a young IFB preacher who is now under the Anglican Communion, I really appreciated this. A lot of the issues you have raised were issues I have too. Selective literalism is the name of the game for IFBs.

This is very helpful. I've been in a similar boat after growing up in a pretty conservative Presbyterian church and then attending one of those "concert churches" you talked about when I was a teenager. I've explored many of the major trinitarian denominations since I started college. I loved the Divine Liturgy of Eastern Orthodoxy. The beauty of it all blew my mind, but I didn't end up joining because I ended up falling into new age deception. I fell away from Christianity for a couple of years, but now as a 22 year old I'm repentant and looking for a church to settle down in. Apart from the Episcopal Church, which I just can't bring myself to attend because of all the liberal theology... there's an ACNA church about half an hour from where I live and there's a very small Anglo-Catholic church in town. I think I'm gonna check them out. You've convinced me to give them a try.

Very thoughtful snd useful. I am a new Episcopalian and have much to sort out.

Quite helpful information, thanks! Appreciate the lack of histrionics in favor of a calm and clear presentation. Laughed out loud in the vain repetitions section... very good!

Thank you very much for sharing, I find it illuminating as I have the same background and intellectual growth on these points as you. I wish I had discovered/seriously considered Anglicanism and liturgical worship much sooner but I’m grateful to be awakened and receptive to it now...and it feels like everything I’ve thought Church ought to be with reverence, beauty, intentionality, structure, and doctrine and theological tenants supported by history and tradition. You brought up many sincere elements I’ve encountered in the past and reasons why I’ve grown exceptionally frustrated and disillusioned with my experience attending the Baptist churches I have for the majority of my life when most of it appears to be a conflict with overall alignment on theological positions than mere aesthetic or philosophical desires... If you haven’t already, I would appreciate learning more of what convinced you to officially convert and make that change - perhaps a more in-depth video analysis/comparison on why you left the IFB/SBC and what solidified your resolve to do so...like explaining it to Southern Baptists or other non-denominational believers in a way they would understand or your Biblical justification in doing so to Anglicanism specifically? Maybe even a “5 Reasons I Left Being a Southern Baptist” as a companion to this video? Anyways, I am sure you’ve covered many of these topics in your other content but at the same time, something like this may help greatly in shining light and enabling the inconsistencies to dawn on others on top of explaining why and how to genuinely learn more about Anglicanism and about converting. In all honesty I’ve been wrestling with my Southern Baptist upbringing and faith since 2015 ever since I recognized the reality of the Eucharist with a friend after we visited a few Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches. She eventually converted into the Roman Catholic Church but I could not merely drop and fully embrace misgivings/apprehensions about Papist practices or other issues, such as the extended elevation of Mary or transubstantiation that I cannot reconcile. Still, I have been exploring Roman Catholicism because it feels like it may ultimately be the most authentic option (RC monopoly on interpreting the Church can be quite convincing...) but I still cannot rationally/intellectually accept all positions so I cannot convert to that and yet I’ve realized I fully do not hold to Baptist theology due to so many gaps/errors in doctrine. Finding that Anglicanism values and embraces the best and largest consensus from the other Christian traditions without its severe abuses/extensions gives me hope

I converted from Roman Catholicism to Anglicanism (Anglican Church of Canada).

On the so-called "vain repetitions," I like to ask "is reciting Psalm 23 or the Lord's Prayer vain repetitions?" The answer is obviously no. The vain repetitions is a reference to the pagan practices of prayer, repeated invocations and loud, public prayers, which are tendencies we all can fall into, whatever denomination.

"[sigh] The Trail of Blood", lol! That's all you've got to say. Ex-Baptist, now fellow REC'er. A lot of your video resonates with me. Thanks for sharing!

I have been looking into various denominations the last few weeks and feel called to Anglicanism or some similar tradition. Similarly as you, I came to it by first looking into Eastern Orthodoxy.

Really appreciated this video. I'm wrestling through much of the same things at the moment. I've been looking into checking out an Anglican church. There are no ACNA churches near me, but there is an Anglican Province of Christ the King church. From what I understand, that denomination is quite Anglo-Catholic. Any opinions on that denomination? Are they similar to ACNA?

Love this! There are so many similarities concerning my Walk of Life. I want to ask you a question concerning what church should I attend in Memphis Tennessee? I've never visited the Anglican Church before in my life. I began as Southern Baptist then became independent fundamental Baptist then became calvinistic Baptist and now for the last couple of years due to reading early church fathers started visiting Lutheran Church and that led me to now Orthodox antiochian Church which I love but have some problems.

Wrote dow n this beautiful prayer of humilty to say in preparation for communion.

I grew up IFB as well KJV only but i ended up LCMS good video

I also love the prayers of Humble Acess we say it every Sunday in our Anglican church in South Africa

I have a question regarding Baptismal regeneration. If a person puts their faith in Christ, are they saved before or after baptism? I think a lot of traditions are rich whether they are Protestant, Catholic, or Eastern Orthodox, but Baptismal regeneration is something that I struggle with. I liken baptism to circumcision in the old testament. It was necessary but was not what saved, it was faith in God that saved. I do think Baptism is extremely important. There is an emphasis on it in scripture. I just feel like Baptismal Regeneration can quickly turn into legalism as if faith isn't what saves. That is an overarching concern I have (I'm not trying to make a caricature of baptismal regeneration). Or with cases like infants. Do infants who die without being baptized go to hell? Does a person who puts their faith in Christ and dies before getting baptized go to hell? If the answer is yes, I don't understand it and feel like it is legalistic. And goes against what Romans says when it says that Abraham was justified by faith. I by no means think baptism should be neglected, but I don't want it to be something that is legalistic. And I believe that faith in Christ comes, and then people are baptized. Maybe I'm misunderstanding baptismal regeneration. If you see this and can respond, I will be extremely appreciative.

"Father, just, just Father, please just" lolll

Very good video! I am currently in the process of deciding to be either Roman Catholic or Anglican and am struggling with the route to take. Pray me and any advice or talking points would be helpful.

I can’t share my entire story but my biggest gripe with Anglicanism is the liberalism I see all over the place. Idk if there is a more conservative branch within Anglicanism but if there is lmk.

could i ask you what about the orthodox doctrine you didnt agree with? im on the fence about anglican vs orthodox as well (as a pentecostal) and was wondering what the doctrine you didnt agree with in orthodoxy was. thanks!

Great video! I had not heard your story before and it's always something I'm interested in, why people believe different things and change beliefs. Are you part of the Anglican Communion? Is the Episcopal Church in it after blatantly disobeying the 1998 Lambeth Conference? Does it matter who is in it? Is that part of the link to the past, tracing a direct line back to the Apostles?

Can you you show me how orthodoxy lies within scripture? Non related to the video but I saw you comment that. You can answer it here or send me a link to a video where you have discuss this already?

Former church of Christ, came to the Anglican Way (Old High Church Episcopalian) through Eastern Orthodoxy. Still use KJV for devotional reading. Love acapella worship too.

This is very nearly identical to my Southern Baptist to confessional Lutheranism journey. Obviously Anglicanism is very similar on paper, but the “wide tent” has definitely gotten too wide on clear, Biblical issues for me to go your route. I hope you and others can be a voice for scriptural authority on the issues of ordination and marriage within the ACNA.

Good stuff. Wish there was an Anglican Church close by where I live. Instead, my family worships in a UMC. While there are many things I appreciate about the Methodist church, I miss receiving the body and blood of the Lord in the Eucharist.

I threw my trail of blood away. 😅

Can you point out some good, Conservative Anglican KZfaq channels to watch (in addition to yours), and perhaps some of the ones we should avoid?

I would love to see you dialogue with Gavin O on Baptist churches. I'm sure you know that lots of baptists (their confessions) reject the 'sinners prayer,' the 'trail of blood' or the idea that the church fell away after the apostles [restorationist]. I think the idea of grace as going through the physical 'material' Christ [True Sacrement] does that in Baptist/Puritian/Reformed theology which emphasizes the Reformed Christology of Two Natures in One Person, with a true human body. I'm not sure how the Lutheran Lords Supper makes sense unless ubiquity works. I cant speak to IFB specifics, i think of the particular baptists - and southern baptists and conservative northern baptists.

I like what you say about assurance. I want to find a tradition I can commit to. I like Anglicanism, but I think I am too politically conservative to be a good fit

I believe in the "Via Media" however mine has a strong right lane! Rev. Dr. Mel McMinn

No matter you are a believer of any Christian denomination; as long as you dutifully read the Bible and regular systematic theology books, you will know what the Christian doctrine is, and you will not be misled by individual denominations that deviate from the biblical doctrine. The Anglican Church is also a member of the WCC, the WCC denominational association that advertises that it can cater to fallen believers and agree that it is not necessary to observe pure biblical teachings.

0:17 - women were not allowed to wear pants? So what do they wear under their trousers? Joking, lots of love from an Anglican from London

So now that there is an adulterer as Supreme Governor of the CofE, according to Scripture, what is gafcon going to do about this?

About the ABC analogy: It doesn't matter which song or melody you use. You're not less authentic depending on which melody you use, even non traditional melodies is still authentic. But you don't want to go too deep into the reading analogy, there is fierce controversy on whether you should use the "global" ("Peter and Jane" type) method vs the alphabetical, syllabical methods, and whether one or the other causes dislexia. You'll be introduced to all that should you have kids. In my family, we learned to read according to the "via media" the so called "méthode mixte" so I guess if we had dislexia, proponents of both extremes would say it was the fault of the other, not to mention our reader followed the story of a "kind" ghost, so there might have been demonic influences, lol. Thankfully, none of my siblings have dislexia.

I am an Eastern Orthodox, a convert from Lutheranism since 2012, and I have lately begun to feel more and more drawn to High Church Anglicanism (this is not entirely new development; it was always my second choice). I still firmly believe in the Orthodox theology, but Anglicanism feel easier to belong to. I do not know should I go towards Anglicanism or remain in Orthodoxy.

Certainly elements of Catholicism required reform some of which was accomplished at Vatican II and certainly Anglicanism has a special charism for working with the Bible and combining it with authentic traditions. So have you ever seen an Anglican eucharistic miracle or read about one that had believable documentation?

John William Burgon was an Anglican.

Thank you for making this. I've left nondenom for Anglicanism and now I'm looking at the Constantinople. I just want to be closer to truth.

I grew up going to a fundamentalist megachurch, and I find myself drawn to Anglicanism due to its open mindedness and its middle ground between Protestantism and Catholicism.

How do you reconcile this fine lecture with the LQBT agenda in the Anglican church and liberal position on divorce and remarriage.?

Hey, what are your views about homosexuality? Thank you!

I am curious…what kept you away from Eastern Orthodoxy?

What is the sinner's prayer? Are not all prayers sinners' prayers?

The BCP says there are only 2 sacraments necessary for salvation; NOT 7!

This is hilarious.

Each pope is elected by a conclave of cardinals. Who elected Henry VIII?

Credo in unam sanctam Catholicam et apostolicam ecclesiam.

As to your point on vain repetitions, nearly all nondenominational or evangelical congregations that I have attended at least point to the Psalms or the “Our Father” as a standard for prayer.

Jesus brings presence and enlightenment through the Holy spirit...the ritual of sacrament is,while a good thing...it is not required for salvation...genuine acceptance Jesus in your heart is all that is necessary....if you pray the sinners prayer over and over and still have doubts,it's not because you didint make a ceremony of it. The same can be said of baptism..the water holds no power,the spirit does.

I am (nearly) convinced that Biblical (and _Historical_ ) Christianity lies somewhere between Anglicanism, and Baptist theology (and you could probably put Lutherans in there too). With a conservatist, moderate Charismatic expression.

I see how Anglicans and Catholics have much in common. You briefly touched upon Catholicism, but I'm interested in why didn't you become a Catholic. I would like to hear that part of the story. Also, don't think I'm trying to be rude and correct me if I'm wrong, why would you become Anglican when it seems it started because Henry the 8th wanted a divorce? May the Lord guide us!

Honest inquiry: Anglicanism has a reputation of being ultra-liberal and pretty much anti-scriptural. However, as a Lutheran I understand that there are two types of Lutherans: the ultra liberals and the confessionals (the REAL Lutherans). Us confessional are not at all in communion with the liberals and so we have nothing to do with their heresies. Is it the same in Anglicanism?

Something must have happened to cause you to leave Independent Baptist church? Did you let up on your evangelistic Baptist outreach and personal Bible study?

To be fair, the “once saved, always saved” nonsense you cited is not what is meant by the perseverance of the saints and eternal security in other, more theological serious traditions. More serious than Fundamentalist Baptists , that is. In confessional traditions, the idea is not that baptism or the Sinner’s prayer preemptively gives you carte blanche to murder and steal. The idea is that your salvation is an act of G-d not of man, and that you cannot lose G-d’s grace, just as you cannot earn it. So although a sinner may appear to have faith, it is known primarily to G-d whether that faith is sincerely a work of the Holy Spirit and therefore saving faith. And that it certainly biblical; of that I have no doubt

I'm Catholic and I reckon you chose well as Catholic tradition is seeping through the Anglican church as our nations wher all maidens of the holy Roman empire of charlimagne onwards all Thea's Christian kingdoms appear with monarchs...this is what Peter said in his epistles _we are to be a nation of priests and kings_(new jrslem txt)so I would choose Anglicanism as it is the most on track to the original plan of the holy spirit ..learn the prophecy of st Francis de Paola...(in the world there will be 12 monarchs 1 emperor 1 pope)this is after the wars in Europe and the great monarch steps in ...as a scotch Catholic I love this stuff because we where all Christian kingdom I recommend the great monarch prophecy as it is so inspiring this man more or less prepares god's warriors for the battle of antichrist as he comes before the antichrist according to some prophecies ...ther are so many prophecies of the great monarch it is the most prophecied subject in Christendom.... basically it points to one of the monarchs of the Fleur de ly stepping in to help a holy pope, at a very tough time in the world....it's worth learning

Under benadict 16 we Catholics really took up the liturgical beauty again and found a new appreciation of the liturgy as a whole I could really see Christ and how the paschal mystery comes out during the liturgy ...Christ's church needs no innovation on the liturgy in the vast history and treasury if tradition we have a Carolingian Catholic rite of worship wich has not been used for centuries....the service is sung and veil is put up and the ancient mass is sung always facing Calvary hill ...the mass is sung ,cathecumens must leave before the consecration of the bread and wine...as a veil is up and the faithful could only hear the mass being sung in Latin....the veil is opened at communion ....alas the symbolic language if the churches rites have been lost or misunderstood while dark sects in the occult profane the sacred by inversion of the rites and profanation....but this form of liturgy with the veil was ancient and revered,full of Christian symbolism , especially around the cross and the crucafixion of our lord ...it was a miniature recapitulation of Calvary the churches wher built toward Calvary and shaped like a crosd,it's measurements wher even sacred to numerology and the placing of icons wich tell us stories or point to a virtue wher set in a deliberate place ...like today it is even lost why the tabernacle in the church is flanked by an icon of Joseph on one side and Mary on another like two pillars at the entrance to the temple..(the temple of Solomon had two pillars with two characters at top one masculine one feminine) Joseph was a carpenter and Mary was a seamstres ....plus the meaning of their names means alot ,but this depends what order or society has made the place of worship....eg the knites of John built their chapels in the sign of a cross wich can be seen from above if you line all the chapels together ... people would be confounded if they knew how advanced Christendom was at its hight... every thing was built for a reason Even mathematics was used in churches and iconography all pointed to biblical truths ....we have a great great faith there real faith revealed by god ....that's why it's a contradiction to everyother natural religion ....as Peter binds and loosens laws like a parimiter of sorts his job is to strengthen the followers of Christ ...so even Catholics feel contradictory being thrown by the media Into just another world religion?when hidden in its Bossom is the revealed way if god ..as all the traditions of Christendom point ....some may see the church as a whole as too divided into sects and unrecognisable due to the ausault of the world.....I leave that to the mother of god .. people could not recognise Christ as his flesh was married and he was hard to recognise with the wounds and blood and his scourge at the Piller ripping his flesh....yet unrecognisable as he was his mother recognised him ... behind all the blood and puss and cut flesh was her son... unrecognisable by what evil men had done ...his mother knew and saw him and followed him ...let us pray for the mystical body that men may see him behind the wounds and media afflictions of men not knowing they are crucifying Christ again (meditations on via cruxis)

Well I see the more "poetic" KJV prayer book as catering to your desires and your needs and your wants. I don't see how that is different in any way to the way contemporary music "feeds" you. People prefer the liturgical worship because they LIKE it better. They feel it feeds them better, but the same can be said about a contemporary service. I can connect with God in a more meaningful way at a contemporary service with a VARIETY of hymns, modern songs, Gospel songs, etc. Now on to liturgy. Why do you say "modern" churches don't have liturgy. They may not have OLD liturgy, but isn't the order of service liturgy? Most churches follow opening worship > welcome > announcements> giving > message > Communion > closing worship. How is that not liturgy? If you're talking about "ancient" liturgy then it was "brand new" at some point in time. Especially since Justin Martyr talks about NOT using incense. Sinner's prayer is wrong, most churches realize this. But it is the pistis, faith, trust, that actually conveys grace. Please show me Biblically where the Eucharist conveys grace? Show me where a conveyance of grace is sacramental. Jesus dying on the cross did NOT convey grace to us! Otherwise everyone would be saved. Faith conveyed grace that was offered on the cross.

Ok, I have to say that I am a little concerned. It seems to me like your denomination picks and chooses based on whatever it likes/feels good about. Like, you say, we like Augustine (early A and some later A, huh?), we like liturgy, we are 'Catholic' (I do not recognize this definition I might add) in that we follow Church history, like you decide this and that pretty randomly it seems to me. What is that via media mentality? You pride yourselves in being between the 'extreme' Roman Catholics, and the Puritans? It seems to me like in the end it is you guys who decide what each thing is, and if something maybe sorta kinda resembles your position, Woohoo Welcome!!! if not, Disregard, because it's extreme? IDK man, seems very arbitrary to me.

An Anglican is a dress-up Protestant.

You are in complete error concerning the Eucharist, John 6 is not speaking of the physical Flesh and Blood of the Christ, he is speaking spiritually not physically, concerning the last supper, the last supper the Christ is speaking of remembrance and this is the operative word, Paul is speaking of the disrespect of those partaking in the breaking of bread, none of these scriptures is speaking that the bread or the wine is the physical body and blood of the Christ, because in itself it is spiritually barbaric to do so, if a person hates his brother he is a murderer even though he has not physically murdered, if a man looks upon a woman to lust after her she has committed adultery with her in his heart, yet he has not physically done anything, it has to do with the spiritual content, because as it is written, the spirit is life the flesh counts for nothing, to think that the bread and the wine is the physical body and blood of the Christ, you may as well lay his corpse on a dining table and eat his flesh and drink his blood because this is what you are spiritually doing, thus it is barbarie to do so it is in itself cannibalism thinking that to eat the flesh and the blood of the Christ has some kind of power when in-and-of-itself it does not, Christ is speaking of the power of the spirit in a person, the content of a person's heart not the physical because it counts for nothing, when you think that the bread and the wine is physically the Christ's body and blood you give power to the physical when it counts for nothing,

"Barely" Protestant, but still Protestant! Grapple some more with the theology of the Church -- your preference for Anglicanism is still based on its being in accord with *your* preference and *your* understanding. IOW, *you* are still the arbiter of religious truth -- which, of course, is the foundation of Protestantism.

If I do not believe in the unique, only, authentic, real and truly trustable catholic religion, why should I believe in the FALSE ones????

Personally as a Catholic I don’t like it because it’s too strict……… I love it because it’s not at my convenience or preference. It is the Church Christ himself created 2,021 years ago. I’m not knocking your video I think you’ve explained Anglicanism very well. I just think that for me it feels too convenient rather than original.

You should work to have the Anglicans seek communion with the Catholic Church!!!