Some Evangelical Christians evangelizing in predominantly Christian countries

[Gleb Yakunin]

Are you implying the OCA has not done a good job evangelizing?
I am totally lost here ... and if you are not willing to explain i think there is no point on having this conversation
I also mentioned that they use the special typicon that Russians do but you did not seem to pay any attention to that either..

*sigh*

sorry, I thought I answered.
yes, after re-reading my posts, I did answer.

The OCA is doing a fine job. The typicon of Russian is in use.

 

[Anglian]

We seem to have drifted a little away from our dear sister's OP, but since it is in rather an interesting way, I wonder if we might push a little further down one of the roads opening up?

Several times it has been commented that the OC does not seek converts, but rather it receives those knocking at its door. I think we can all agree that is so, and if it is, that it differs profoundly from Protestant Evangelicals trying to convert those who are already Christians. The issue I'd like to push is why it is that people do knock on the door of Orthodoxy as they surely do?

Those, like the group who came with Fr. Peter Gilquist, were former Protestants who, on really getting to grips with the early Church discovered it was still with us in the form of the OC. They clearly put up with a great deal by way of ecclesiastical politics, to judge by his book, and the EP rather dropped them late in the day, before they came in via Antioch (if memory serves me aright). No where was there a consideration of the RCC. Yet, ethnically, that is closer for most Protestants. Is it therefore the distrust of the RCC which so many Protestants feel which kept them from even exploring that angle?

Is the OC therefore the obvious Church of choice for those Protestants who feel the need for a more historic form of Church? I thought it might be worth asking?

peace,

Anglian

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

*snip*

.......Is the OC therefore the obvious Church of choice for those Protestants who feel the need for a more historic form of Church? I thought it might be worth asking?
peace,
Anglian

Greetings Anglian.
What about the obvious Church for the Roman Catholics?

Perhaps if the Protestants saw a mass conversion of RCs to the OC, that might inspire a lot of Protestants to do the same......Just throwing that out there

 

[Anglian]

Greetings Anglian.
What about the obvious Church for the Roman Catholics?

Perhaps if the Protestants saw a mass conversion of RCs to the OC, that might inspire a lot of Protestants to do the same......Just throwing that out there

An interesting question. I don't know how common it is for RCs to cross over to the OC, and it would be interesting to know why that would be so. The existence of the Eastern Rite Catholic Churches may also complicate things here. I just had a sense that most of those who join the OC used to be Protestants of one variety or another, and that may be quite wrong.

I know that my own Church received many converts in the UK when the Anglicans ordained women, and that since they have talked about woemn bishops we've had more inquiries. I am always a little wary of those who wish to join because they are agin' something; better to join because you're in favour of what the OC teaches.

peace,

Anglian

 

[Rhamiel]

Greetings Anglian.
What about the obvious Church for the Roman Catholics?

Perhaps if the Protestants saw a mass conversion of RCs to the OC, that might inspire a lot of Protestants to do the same......Just throwing that out there

mass conversion might help many protestants become EO, but it would also harm relations between the EO and RC
what would cause even more Christian unity would be a healing of the Schism between the two Churches

 

[Gleb Yakunin]

mass conversion might help many protestants become EO, but it would also harm relations between the EO and RC
what would cause even more Christian unity would be a healing of the Schism between the two Churches

How can it harm relations?
Heal the schism, how? If I may suggest that the Church of Rome come back into the fold, the OC has been waiting on her return.

 

[Anglian]

Heal the schism, how? If I may suggest that the Church of Rome come back into the fold, the OC has been waiting on her return.

Not as long as my OC has been waiting for the other OC? Or is it the other way around

That's part of the problem. There are two types of Church calling themselves Orthodox, and they have not been in communion with each other since the 450s. Perhaps the Orthodox might like to heal their schism before dealing with the other one they helped to cause? Not saying they caused it alone, but the notion that it was all the fault of the big bad RCC won't cover it either.

peace,

Anglian

 

[Gleb Yakunin]

Not as long as my OC has been waiting for the other OC? Or is it the other way around

That's part of the problem. There are two types of Church calling themselves Orthodox, and they have not been in communion with each other since the 450s. Perhaps the Orthodox might like to heal their schism before dealing with the other one they helped to cause? Not saying they caused it alone, but the notion that it was all the fault of the big bad RCC won't cover it either.

peace,

Anglian

I know I'm writing in English, so why is it Anglian that you turn my words to mean another.
Honestly, I could care less about the OC,RC and the orientals coming together. It's all merely a 'name brand' to me.

 

[Anglian]

I know I'm writing in English, so why is it Anglian that you turn my words to mean another.
Honestly, I could care less about the OC,RC and the orientals coming together. It's all merely a 'name brand' to me.

Sorry if I have offended you; it was not my intent.

I was only pointing out that to say that the OC was waiting for the return of the RCC was to risk glossing over the fact that there is not one OC; if that is inaccurate, I'm not sure how?

Your view that they are 'brand names' is a very Western one; it is not, of course, held by the OCs; nor I think by the RCC, although its ecclesiology is rather more developed than that of the OCs.

peace,

Anglian

 

[Gleb Yakunin]

Sorry if I have offended you; it was not my intent.

I was only pointing out that to say that the OC was waiting for the return of the RCC was to risk glossing over the fact that there is not one OC; if that is inaccurate, I'm not sure how?

Your view that they are 'brand names' is a very Western one; it is not, of course, held by the OCs; nor I think by the RCC, although its ecclesiology is rather more developed than that of the OCs.

peace,

Anglian

Brand name as in providing an item for market.

Glossing over? I just responded to Rhamiel about OC/RC. How you tossed in the Orientals was incredible.

And now my view of 'Brand names' is of the West, according to you.

Oh well, I must be doing something wrong.

 

[Anglian]

I can't quite understand why it was 'incredible' to bring up the fact that there is no such thing as 'the' OC; but if it has offended you, I am sorry for it.

peace,

Anglian

 

[Gleb Yakunin]

I can't quite understand why it was 'incredible' to bring up the fact that there is no such thing as 'the' OC; but if it has offended you, I am sorry for it.

peace,

Anglian

no,no Anglian. The fault belongs to me.

You are right about the split of what I call the OC and the OOC.

But to me, the original lessons of Jesus have been skewed by men. To much emphasis on church and not enough on the teachings.imho.

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

*snip*

.....That's part of the problem. There are two types of Church calling themselves Orthodox, and they have not been in communion with each other since the 450s.
Perhaps the Orthodox might like to heal their schism before dealing with the other one they helped to cause?.........
peace,
Anglian

Greetings bro. I was unaware of that until I came on CF some years back.
Tis some interesting history behind those 2 OCs

The Ancient Way - Eastern Orthodox - Christian Forums
The Ancient Way - Eastern Orthodox

The Voice In The Desert - Oriental Orthodox - Christian Forums
The Voice In The Desert - Oriental Orthodox

 

[Philothei]

They clearly put up with a great deal by way of ecclesiastical politics, to judge by his book, and the EP rather dropped them late in the day, before they came in via Antioch (if memory serves me aright). No where was there a consideration of the RCC. Yet, ethnically, that is closer for most Protestants. Is it therefore the distrust of the RCC which so many Protestants feel which kept them from even exploring that angle?

Is the OC therefore the obvious Church of choice for those Protestants who feel the need for a more historic form of Church? I thought it might be worth asking?

Anglian with all respect here how is this the OP? that is another OP .

 

[Gleb Yakunin]

Greetings bro. I was unaware of that until I came on CF some years back.
Tis some interesting history behind those 2 OCs

The Ancient Way - Eastern Orthodox - Christian Forums
The Ancient Way - Eastern Orthodox

The Voice In The Desert - Oriental Orthodox - Christian Forums
The Voice In The Desert - Oriental Orthodox

Oh yes, Lord have mercy.

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

Anglian with all respect here how is this the OP? that is another OP .

Greetings dear friend!

What I can't understand is how come different Congregations/Denominations/Churches can't evangelize to ll the "heathen unbelievers" in foreign countries

Some Evangelical Christians evangelizing in predominantly Christian countries

There are missionaries in all Congreations of Christianity and the main goal should be to bring those who either deny or do not know about our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ.

Besides, according to our Lord in Matt 24, the End cannot come until that is accomplished
Thoughts? God bless

Matt 24:14 And shall be being proclaimed this, the Good-Message of the Kingdom, in whole the being-homed/oikoumenh <3625> into a testimony to all the Nations and then shall be arriving the End/teloV <5056>.

1 Corin 15:23 Each yet in the own rank, a firstfruit Christ, thereafter the ones of the Christ in the Parousia of Him
24 thereafter the End/teloV <5056>.........

 

[Philothei]

How can it harm relations?
Heal the schism, how? If I may suggest that the Church of Rome come back into the fold, the OC has been waiting on her return.

And to add to your comment the EO church has indeed been waiting for her return as the RC is one of the Patriarchates that historically have been the most important to us.

Furthermore this is not the right OP for bringing up the relations between RC and EO or OO etc.

But about evangelism and the EO church

 

[Philothei]

That's part of the problem. There are two types of Church calling themselves Orthodox, and they have not been in communion with each other since the 450s. Perhaps the Orthodox might like to heal their schism before dealing with the other one they helped to cause? Not saying they caused it alone, but the notion that it was all the fault of the big bad RCC won't cover it either.

and the point is? How is this the OP? I will just say that this kind of thinking is what gets us ALL in trouble .... Pointing fingers rarely helps anything does it?

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

and the point is? How is this the OP? I will just say that this kind of thinking is what gets us ALL in trouble .... Pointing fingers rarely helps anything does it?

Just make sure it is not "the finger"

John 8 and Jesus writing in the Dirt - Page 6 - Christian Forums
John 8 and Jesus writing in the Dirt

John 8:6 This yet they said trying Him, that they may be having to be accusing of Him.
The yet Jesus down-stooping, to the finger wrote into the ground.
7 As yet they persisted asking Him, He up-bends and said toward them "The sinless-one of ye first the stone on her let be casting"!
8 And again down-stooping He wrote into the ground.

Daniel 5:24 In-then before-him being-sent the-fingertip, that of the-hand and-the-writing, the-this, being-signified
25 And this the writing that being signified: 'Mene', Mene', T@qal , P@rac'.

 

[Dorothea]

Yes, I know that subject is off the OP, but I would like to comment on the split of the EO and the OO. I know that it is "technically" split. Even though the split has been realized to have been nothing but political and issues with wording, apparently. I guess I see the OO as the same as EO, just that we haven't gotten to the point of sharing the chalice overall. Of course, in our church, there is an Ethiopian family who's OO that their daughter takes communion at our church, so maybe that's why I don't see a huge split there. The beliefs are the same, not detailed and real differences that are worrisome. I believe the EO and OO will unite sometime in the future soon (sooner than the RC and EO).