My Journey toward Orthodoxy

[DennyB]

Well I'm new here,Hello everyone,to tell you a little about my self I was a Southern Baptist ,who is now worshipping in a Reformed Episcopal Church,I love it and my wife does. We haven't joined yet, My Journeys been a long one I started going to non-denom... when My wife and I got married, began to study Reformed Theology,Luther,Calvin,the whole nine yards,then I began to probe further into church history,the closer I got to the first century,the further I realized I was to the "Faith once delivered to the Saints",and how far down stream I had drifted,not really my own fault, because I was in ignorance,and this is essentially what Protestantism is a play on ignorance,and that is ignorance of liturgy, that has it's roots in history,the Eucharist,and The very Triune Nature of God. Ihave been reading alot about Orthodoxy, Orthodoxy is unique, especially compared to western tradition compared to our more philsophical and systematic approach to the Christian Life, Dad Blame!!!!  That Augustine!!!,no not really I think Augustine was a unique man himself,very smart, I really think that he is the one responsible for moving the church towards a symbolic and not literal approach to the Eucharist,even though if you read his works He does literally believe in the Real Presence ,but uses to much language that at times leads his readers in the opposite direction.

My views about Icons is changing,what really upset me the other day,I was in one of the largest Christian Book Stores,I won't mention the name, other than it had the word "life" and "way" in the title,and these stores tend to be sided more with the Evangelical Protestant type. And I noticed ALL the trinkets and portraits of Angels,Christ and the like,and I thought,and these people have the gaul to condemn ICONS in the Orthodox Church,what hypocracy. And the Commercialism,Jesus would be turning these tables over!!!!!


I have come to think that no matter what church one attends,that liturgy is a good one,Chrysostum's is a good one,from what I understand,I believe the Eucharist is CENTRAL to christian worship,with out it, our life in union with Christ is CUT OFF!!! Trinitarian Baptism,immersion, if possible, is a must. Well this is my take and it is were I am at at the Moment. Thanks for Reading.

Denny

[Pravoslavbob]

May God bless you in your search, Denny.  Welcome to the discussion.
 
Bob

[Sabbas]

I agree DennyB that St.Augustine was used in such a way, but he was such an intellectual and just couldn't seem to lose that dialectic debating that he so heavily engaged in during his youth. I wonder if you have visited www.westernorthodox.com ? or http://occidentalis.blogspot.com/ both good sites for those from western tradtions to learn more about Orthodoxy.
I wish you the best on your path. I myself was a staunch Nihilist for seven years before I sought out Orthodoxy.

[nimloth7]

Well, I was raised Southern Baptist , but became dissatisfied with the SB's. I was always attracted to the more "Traditional" Church - even my best friends growing up were either Catholic or Greek Orthodox.
Anyway, several years ago a dear friend of mine who is Greek Orthodox invited me to several services during Holy Week. I was totally smitten.  To me this was "The Church" . I've read a few books on Orthodoxy, but sadly haven't found many. Most  of the books I've found and read have been for Catholics .
Infact, a few months ago I was attending classes in  Catholicism (RCIA,  dropped though), but I still have interest in Orthodoxy. So, anyone know of any books, ect that would help. (I have read Clark Carlson's books, but, well...  ) I know that there are several non-Greek Orthodox Churches in my area so will be trying to attend them. (I love the Greek Orthodox Church, but as I'm not Greek, I've felt a bit out of place.)

[Doubting Thomas]

Just curious, nimloth7, what did you not like about Clark Carlton's books?

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