Orthodox Priest Becomes an Evangelical Pastor

[JM]

Interesting testimony of a man that was ordained Eastern Orthodox that left and became a Protestant minister.

Yours in the Lord,

jm

 

[Tigger45]

Very rare occurrence, in fact I’d not heard of this before. Typically occurs the other way around such as Protestant to Orthodox.

 

[Jonaitis]

Very rare occurrence, in fact I’d not heard of this before. Typically occurs the other way around such as Protestant to Orthodox.

Yes. I personally have a friend who switched, and then became Roman Catholic.

 

[JM]

Please remember you are in the Semper forum when posting.

I know a few that have converted to Catholicism and Orthodoxy. Neither read their Bibles and within 10 years stopped attending Church altogether.

 

[Tigger45]

Yes. I personally have a friend who switched, and then became Roman Catholic.

Yeah I was an Orthodox catechumen for about 7 years but couldn't commit. Synergism puts me psychologically on a hamster wheel.

 

[JM]

Yeah I was an Orthodox catechumen for about 7 years but couldn't commit. Synergism puts me psychologically on a hamster wheel.

Similar story with me but for less time... I was converted reading scripture so it's difficult to move to tradition when the Holy Spirit speaks so clearly in scripture.

 

[Tigger45]

Similar story with me but for less time... I was converted reading scripture so it's difficult to move to tradition when the Holy Spirit speaks so clearly in scripture.

I was raised in a nominally Catholic household but didn't fully dedicate my life to Christ until 30 yo through Calvary chapel. Orthodoxy did help familiarize me with the early church and church fathers. Previously like many protestants my knowledge only went back to the Reformation.

 

[JM]

I was raised in a nominally Catholic household but didn't fully dedicate my life to Christ until 30 yo through Calvary chapel. Orthodoxy did help familiarize me with the early church and church fathers. Previously like many protestants my knowledge only went back to the Reformation.

The church fathers solidified my Protestantism especially when one realizes that if Israel can lose their covenant position with God a state church can lose it's lampstand. Succession of truth matters more than pedigree.

 

[Tigger45]

The church fathers solidified my Protestantism especially when one realizes that if Israel can lose their covenant position with God a state church can lose it's lampstand. Succession of truth matters more than pedigree.

What I noticed with the ECF's is overwhelming they themselves justified their teachings with Scripture, hence ultimately Sola scriptura .

 

[JM]

What I noticed with the ECF's is overwhelming they themselves justified their teachings with Scripture, hence ultimately Sola scriptura .

Yes, it goes something like, "so and so said this which is our tradition. Besides, scripture confirms it."

 

[Tigger45]

Yes, it goes something like, "so and so said this which is our tradition. Besides, scripture confirms it."

Right, which is fine with me when establishing a point in a discussion but when teachings are held outside of clear biblical references is when I become suspicious.

I prefer to glean from ECF writings to find a consensus of thought and understanding within church paradigms at the time but they are just another perspective to add to the knowledge I’ve gathered along the way in my Christian journey.

 

[PloverWing]

I liked his observation that ordinary Christians in the pews (Orthodox, Evangelical, and presumably those in other traditions) often don't know that much about their own church's history, and that one remedy might be for congregations to watch and discuss an introductory church history video series together. I might suggest that in my own parish.

 

[tampasteve]

I think there is a lot more movement from Orthodox and Catholic churches into Protestant churches than most people really realize, probably more from Catholic to Protestant than Orthodox, but it is still there. It is more obvious in Liturgical churches like Lutheran and Anglican churches as those tend to attract lapse or minimal Catholics due to the similarity in worship style. At least this seems to be the case in my anecdotal observations.

I would entirely believe it happens in the clergy as well, unless they make a podcast about it we just don't hear about it as it is not exactly news worthy.

People move into the Orthodox and Catholic churches as well, of course. I crossed the Tiber, and eventually left again. So technically the RCC would have me on the roles still. But the numbers moving into those churches is likely less than the numbers moving out or just leaving the Catholic/Orthodox church all together for nothing or just being inactive in those churches.

 

[Tigger45]

I've seen a lot of Catholic to protestant and protestant to both Catholic and Orthodox but not any personaly from Orthodox to Protestant once they are baptized and charismated.

 

[tampasteve]

I've seen a lot of Catholic to protestant and protestant to both Catholic and Orthodox but not any personaly from Orthodox to Protestant once they are baptized and charismated.

I have no idea how common it may be, but I do know a couple Eastern and one Oriental Orthodox that became Protestant.

 

[JM]

James White and others have mentioned that many that move to traditional Catholicism or Orthodoxy from Protestantism usually stop attending Church also 10 years later. They find out the Emperor has no clothes and give up or join a schematic group.

 

[public hermit]

James White and others have mentioned that many that move to traditional Catholicism or Orthodoxy from Protestantism usually stop attending Church also 10 years later. They find out the Emperor has no clothes and give up or join a schematic group.

What's a schematic group?

Although I'm in the Reformed tradition, there is a lot about orthodoxy that I admire. I especially like their approach to spiritual discipline and prayer. What I find baffling is the almost inherent nationalism among the various Orthodox sects.

 

[JM]

What's a schematic group?

Although I'm in the Reformed tradition, there is a lot about orthodoxy that I admire. I especially like their approach to spiritual discipline and prayer. What I find baffling is the almost inherent nationalism among the various Orthodox sects.

Some schismatic groups are, for example, Catholic groups that don't believe the current Pope is valid or strict Orthodox that follow the old calendar and other older traditions no longer followed or accepted.

I find the Orthodox to be cultural expressions of an ancient form of a State church encrusted with false practices that causes spiritual purification and naval gazing.

 

[Tigger45]

I have no idea how common it may be, but I do know a couple Eastern and one Oriental Orthodox that became Protestant.

Do you happen to know if those three were converts to Orthodoxy? The priest at our local Orthodox parish said the bishop likes to see catechumens attend the full year before baptism hoping to reduce a revolving door of converts.

 

[JM]

If you're confused I get it but capitulation to the spirit of the age and accepting non Calvinistic Reformed beliefs and pushing them forward in the Semper forum, when those beliefs are contra to our creeds and confessions, is not a virtue but virtue signalling. Calling someones comments prejudicial from a position of ignorance is a guttersnipe claiming high ground.

My comments come from experience in Orthodoxy and study of church history and theology. My comments echo the sentiments and teachings of the Reformers and the Semper forum, they can be found using something called google if need be.