Yeshayahu
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« on: March 10, 2012, 06:09:41 PM » |
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Hello,
I am not Orthodox.
I'm a Jew (although my dad was baptized in to the Greek Orthodox Church) in Israel studying at Yeshiva (a school for Jewish studies) and want to understand and become closer to Christ. Here are some fear-driven thoughts that have been troubling me and preventing me from doing so:
1. I don't want to upset God by accepting Christ and perceiving Hashem (god) as a trinity. In Judaism this is considered idolatrous.
2. I've been told that I would completely sever my relationship with God by adopting "foreign" ideologies such as those related to Christ.
3. In Judaism we have a concept related to Satan that is referred to as the "Evil Inclination", and I've been told that this is what is causing me to become drawn to Christianity.
4. When presented with all these different forms of Christianity (Orthodoxy, RC, Protestantism, etc.) sometimes I just feel like "throwing in the towel", as there is no chance I'll ever discover the truth and am better off with Judaism.
5. I don't want to upset my mother.
6. I'm worried about getting baptized. For one, as I've already initiated what's become an ongoing experience of faith in Christ, I'm worried that my desire for an "official baptism" would undermine the "spiritual baptism" that I've already undergone. Also, I'm in Jerusalem and can't find any english speaking Greek Orthodox priests to talk to!
My name is Theo.
Thank you for your prayers.
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Orual
Orthodoxy = 7, not 3
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I'm just here for the food.
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« Reply #1 on: March 10, 2012, 06:42:36 PM » |
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Lord, have mercy!
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He spoke it as kindly and heartily as could be; as if a man dashed a gallon of cold water in your broth and never doubted you'd like it all the better.
- C.S. Lewis, Till We Have Faces
f.k.a. Matron.a
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Cognomen
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You can run...
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« Reply #2 on: March 10, 2012, 06:50:01 PM » |
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Lord, have mercy.
For what it's worth, I shared many of your concerns. Rest assured (easy for me to say) that it is the Holy Spirit reaching out to you. You may even know this already, even if formulating the comprehension of this is beyond our abilities.
You will be in our prayers, and hopefully someone can provide information on an English speaking priest.
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"Paint a bunch of icons of our Lord and the saints and then kiss them. Also, pray to Mary after she dies in the future."
~ The Epistle of St. Paul to the Antiochians, 46 AD.
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Carl Kraeff (Second Chance)
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« Reply #3 on: March 10, 2012, 10:25:35 PM » |
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Lord have mercy.
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vorgos
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« Reply #4 on: March 10, 2012, 11:19:50 PM » |
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Hello,
I am not Orthodox.
I'm a Jew (although my dad was baptized in to the Greek Orthodox Church) in Israel studying at Yeshiva (a school for Jewish studies) and want to understand and become closer to Christ. Here are some fear-driven thoughts that have been troubling me and preventing me from doing so:
1. I don't want to upset God by accepting Christ and perceiving Hashem (god) as a trinity. In Judaism this is considered idolatrous.
2. I've been told that I would completely sever my relationship with God by adopting "foreign" ideologies such as those related to Christ.
3. In Judaism we have a concept related to Satan that is referred to as the "Evil Inclination", and I've been told that this is what is causing me to become drawn to Christianity.
4. When presented with all these different forms of Christianity (Orthodoxy, RC, Protestantism, etc.) sometimes I just feel like "throwing in the towel", as there is no chance I'll ever discover the truth and am better off with Judaism.
5. I don't want to upset my mother.
6. I'm worried about getting baptized. For one, as I've already initiated what's become an ongoing experience of faith in Christ, I'm worried that my desire for an "official baptism" would undermine the "spiritual baptism" that I've already undergone. Also, I'm in Jerusalem and can't find any english speaking Greek Orthodox priests to talk to!
My name is Theo.
Thank you for your prayers.
Yeshayahu, have you tried contacting the Patriarchate in Jerusalem? If there are any English speaking clergy there they would know. I wouldn't worry about baptism just yet. Take the time to read and learn about Christianity and all the different denominations. Once you've learned a bit, you will be able to make the right decisions with less anxiety and fear. I would highly recommend the book by Rev. A. James Bernstein, "Surprised by Christ". You may find it helpful. It describes the author's journey from Orthodox Judaism to Orthodox Christianity. May God give you strength and guide you. |
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« Last Edit: March 10, 2012, 11:22:54 PM by vorgos »
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Άγιος ο Θεός, Άγιος ισχυρός, Άγιος Αθάνατος, ελέησον ημάς.
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Maximum Bob
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« Reply #5 on: March 11, 2012, 12:33:38 AM » |
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Lord have mercy. Welcome to the OrthodoxChristianity.net. This being the 'Prayer Forum' I'll keep things brief, but if you wish also to discuss your concerns and receive some feedback here on the forum, you may want to start similar thread in 'Convert Issues'. Again welcome.  |
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Prov. 3: 5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.
Psalm 37:23 The Lord guides a man safely in the way he should go.
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NicholasMyra
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« Reply #6 on: March 11, 2012, 01:23:16 AM » |
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Lord, have mercy! May God's will be done in you.
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Ikonguru
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Lord have Mercy upon me, a Sinner
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« Reply #7 on: March 19, 2012, 10:33:14 AM » |
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His views are a bit extreme but Ex-Jew now Orthodox 'Pastor' who calls himself Brother Nathael has some experience in this area http://brothernathanaelfoundation.org/http://www.realzionistnews.comYouTube Videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/zionget |
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It is from a place of exile, where my captors torment me, that I write these lines. Through the grace of our Lord, I may one day be free.
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Papist
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« Reply #8 on: March 19, 2012, 11:25:38 AM » |
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Lord, have mercy.
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"The only-begotten Son of God, wanting us to be partakers of his divinity, assumed our human nature so that, having become man, he might make men gods." - St. Thomas Aquinas
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orthodoxchristianonline
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« Reply #9 on: March 19, 2012, 11:43:52 AM » |
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Theo, from the Bible we have seen that God is merciful and forgiving. Putting your faith in Christ is placing your faith on the Father and Holy Spirit. A great Jewish teacher who passed away recently in Jerusalem, confessed that Jesus Christ is the Messiah, before he passed away. You make a step and God will make a thousand steps forward on your behalf. God never left anyone, and hope not me either  Lord have mercy on your servant. |
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