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Questions from a Seeker
- Thread starter Nicodemus_of_MI
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- Aug 4, 2013
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This one sentence stuck out like a sore thumb to me. In it, I find encapsulated the whole difference between Western and Eastern theology.
Like you, when I left the PCA assembly for what I thought was Orthodoxy (I have much later found out that I was in error, but that's another story for another time) I was scared spitless of offending God. I had spent 25 years in Protestantism, first in Bob Jones Fundamentalism for 13 years, then PCA Calvinism for 12 years. In both of these instances, while lip service was given to the fact that God is love, the real thing I heard pounded home over and over and over again was the wratch of God and sure hell for all who didn't agree with our translation of the Scriptures. This is a far cry from what I constantly hear on AFR (Ancient Faith Radio) regarding the immense love that God has for us. This is, to me, the very heart of Orthodoxy, and the reason I hope to soon be converting myself after 20 years in the ECC.
What I hear coming through is the same fear I had when I made the jump and left Protestantism behind. My one advice would be the same that my spiritual father gives to me: "God LOVES you." Not God loves you only if you do this. Not God loves you if you are perfect in your prayers and devotions. Not God loves you because you give money to the poor. Our heavenly Father's love is unconditional. This is a lesson I am still striving to learn. I highly recommend it as you work your way through what I understand personally to be a very confusing and some days stressful journey.
Learning to rest in God's love, to trust in His goodness, to follow His timing and will, has been a difficult journey for me, but one that has given me much reward.
Finally, from an intellectual standpoint, the tipping point came for me when I read the Early Fathers and could not find anything in them that resembled any of the Protestant churches I had been in. My mind was made up - my trembling heart just had to follow.
I wish you God's blessings on your journey.
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~Anastasia~
† Handmaid of God †
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FWIW I remember that fear when I converted as well. I had all but forgotten about it. But I do well remember that the point that struck me most of all about Orthodoxy when I was in the process is - that for the first time, I really DID understand God as love - in a way I never had in over 40 years of various kinds of Protestantism.
Yes I used to fear how God would regard me if I made a mistake. Now that feels so foreign. We can of course reject God, deliberately cut ourselves off from Him. Even then though He will love us. But never would He abandon us simply because we make a mistake in diligently seeking Him.
Yes I used to fear how God would regard me if I made a mistake. Now that feels so foreign. We can of course reject God, deliberately cut ourselves off from Him. Even then though He will love us. But never would He abandon us simply because we make a mistake in diligently seeking Him.
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E.C.
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Welcome to TAW 
I grew up Roman Catholic and became Orthodox at the age of sixteen. I think my story is probably buried somewhere in one of the introductory threads. Who knows. Anywho...
I do know one Orthodox deacon who was a Baptist preacher when he became Orthodox. I don't know if he was the head pastor when he converted, but he was at least one of them. When he became Orthodox, he was a layman for quite a few years before he looked into becoming a deacon. That's usually the standard deal with clergy from other confessions. If they desire to become an Orthodox priest later on, there's a slightly different path for it. If you'd like, I could reach out for this deacon's contact info and send it to you separately, or invite him to post here. He'll definitely be able to speak Reformed Protestant better than I can ever hope to
And if you need to find an Orthodox parish, there's a directory here: Orthodoxy in America
I grew up Roman Catholic and became Orthodox at the age of sixteen. I think my story is probably buried somewhere in one of the introductory threads. Who knows. Anywho...
I do know one Orthodox deacon who was a Baptist preacher when he became Orthodox. I don't know if he was the head pastor when he converted, but he was at least one of them. When he became Orthodox, he was a layman for quite a few years before he looked into becoming a deacon. That's usually the standard deal with clergy from other confessions. If they desire to become an Orthodox priest later on, there's a slightly different path for it. If you'd like, I could reach out for this deacon's contact info and send it to you separately, or invite him to post here. He'll definitely be able to speak Reformed Protestant better than I can ever hope to
God brings people into the Church in His own time and when it is the best point at that individual's life. We don't always know it when we're going through it, but we realize it later on. The best thing to do in the meantime is get in touch with an Orthodox priest somewhere; there's quite a few in Michigan, and pray. A lot. I'd keep the inquiries into Orthodoxy discreet with the congregation until you hit a point where you make that step. With the COVID-19 these day there's only so much we can do with that, but at the very least contacting a priest via email or phone would be a good step.
And if you need to find an Orthodox parish, there's a directory here: Orthodoxy in America
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