Atheist girlfriend

[All4Christ]

Pretty much. Though the problem talked about more often was the secular service.

Even if both were Christian, if they got married outside the church, it was often considered invalid and fornication.

Agreed on that as well. It didn't have to be our church though...any trinitarian Bible-believing church was ok.

 

[~Anastasia~]

Aye, there is variation, but I think certain basic tenets, such as Sola Scriptura and so on, have to be there for a denomination to qualify as Protestant.

To be really fair, denominations (or non-denoms) can split and choose ANY principles or beliefs.

Perhaps it is time to consider a new category, as Orthodox - Catholic - Protestant is fine in defining Orthodox and Catholics, but no, you really can't assign any definition to Protestantism. They evolve according to any concern, and it is not impossible to discard even a sola or two.

 

[~Anastasia~]

Agreed on that as well. It didn't have to be our church though...any trinitarian Bible-believing church was ok.

Right. It was never "only our church" but it was often "only in A church."

 

[All4Christ]

Right. It was never "only our church" but it was often "only in A church."

A Christian Church for us Jehovah Witness churches or Mormon churches didn't count.

 

[~Anastasia~]

My real point is that we need to be careful in stating anything as dogmatically true of ALL Protestants. Since they make up the bulk of what, 44,000 denominations and counting - we would most likely be wrong about some.

And when we are, it can create hard feelings and drive even more of a wedge between people and Orthodoxy.

 

[~Anastasia~]

A Christian Church for us Jehovah Witness churches or Mormon churches didn't count.

Ah, well, true. That was also the belief in ours.

 

[All4Christ]

My real point is that we need to be careful in stating anything as dogmatically true of ALL Protestants. Since they make up the bulk of what, 44,000 denominations and counting - we would most likely be wrong about some.

And when we are, it can create hard feelings and drive even more of a wedge between people and Orthodoxy.

That's one reason I never recommend Thirsting for God in a Land of Shallow Wells to anyone interested in Orthodoxy. It makes large broad sweeps about many Protestants and says that they believe things that many don't. My parents read it and were offended by being told they believed a bunch of things they didn't, and being "attacked" (in their mind) in a non-gracious manner.

 

[Constantine the Sinner]

Well then I guess I was wrong, thanks for the correction. I underestimated the diversity of Protestantism.

 

[All4Christ]

Well then I guess I was wrong, thanks for the correction. I underestimated the diversity of Protestantism.

That's one of the hardest things - knowing how broad the range of beliefs are. Ironically, I can say multiple beliefs of my old Pentecostal church are very similar to Orthodoxy, though in a different language. Salvation for example was an easy switch for me. Change the words to the equivalent Orthodox words, and it made a lot of sense, especially with theosis. Granted, there are some differences, but the concepts are pretty similar. Many would think there is barely anything that is similar, but I didn't find that to be the case theologically. Worship style though was extremely different, as well as some beliefs like speaking in tongues, ecclesiology, Mary, etc.

ETA: I studied the beliefs of the early Pentecostal Church with the Holiness movement. That was my starting point when comparing it with Orthodoxy. I also had serious issues with the way my church viewed baptism of the Holy Spirit.

 

[~Anastasia~]

That's one of the hardest things - knowing how broad the range of beliefs are. Ironically, I can say multiple beliefs of my old Pentecostal church are very similar to Orthodoxy, though in a different language. Salvation for example was an easy switch for me. Change the words to the equivalent Orthodox words, and it made a lot of sense, especially with theosis. Granted, there are some differences, but the concepts are pretty similar. Many would think there is barely anything that is similar, but I didn't find that to be the case theologically. Worship style though was extremely different, as well as some beliefs like speaking in tongues, ecclesiology, Mary, etc.

ETA: I studied the beliefs of the early Pentecostal Church with the Holiness movement. That was my starting point when comparing it with Orthodoxy.

SO much agreement. Though I have been in Pentecostal churches that were polar opposites in the issue. Some were toe-the-line legalists, and some were teaching essentially theosis.

Among Protestants, I have tried to identify groups, but even that is difficult.

Broadly, my own experience includes "Magesterial reform" as Fr. Andrew Damick classifies them, and evangelical type Baptist (which also have polar opposites on some theologies among them), and Pentecostals (again of such a spectrum to include opposites). The "emerging church" hardly seems to fit these categories, so that makes four MAJOR distinctions, some of which almost need splitting themselves to understand. And that's only most of my own experience - there are others.

 

[LouisBooth]

you guys are so far off topic, but I love the conversation

 

[~Anastasia~]

That's one reason I never recommend Thirsting for God in a Land of Shallow Wells to anyone interested in Orthodoxy. It makes large broad sweeps about many Protestants and says that they believe things that many don't. My parents read it and were offended by being told they believed a bunch of things they didn't, and being "attacked" (in their mind) in a non-gracious manner.

I was glad when I first read that caution from you.

I liked the book, and might have recommended it, and never caught how it might be taken by Protestants when I first read it (as a Protestant, ironically!)

 

[All4Christ]

I was glad when I first read that caution from you.

I liked the book, and might have recommended it, and never caught how it might be taken by Protestants when I first read it (as a Protestant, ironically!)

Honestly, anytime I read a book, I think about it from my friends' and family's perspective as well, as I want to give books that are helpful . I think that book is one of the ones that when you are on your way already, you can say "yea that's right!! We so didn't have the right doctrine in this or that! Or, we didn't believe that ourselves, but it's so good Orthodoxy doesn't believe it!" On the other hand, if you aren't interested in becoming Orthodox, or are happy where you currently are attending church, it can be a different reaction.

 

[~Anastasia~]

Honestly, anytime I read a book, I think about it from my friends' and family's perspective as well, as I want to give books that are helpful . I think that book is one of the ones that when you are on your way already, you can say "yea that's right!! We so didn't have the right doctrine in this or that! Or, we didn't believe that ourselves, but it's so good Orthodoxy doesn't believe it!" On the other hand, if you aren't interested in becoming Orthodox, or are happy where you currently are attending church, it can be a different reaction.

Wisdom.

I didn't recognize the difference when I was on the way.

But now, I often listen to podcasts with attention to how it will be taken.

Depending on one's prejudices, it can be difficult to find good teaching that won't give a wrong impression along the way.

 

[Christina C]

Αρχίζω μια θέση στο καθολικό φόρουμ των Christianforums.com για myorthodox φίλη που θέλουν να έχουν sex.Is ότι η αληθινή φόρουμ των christianforums.com περίπου καθολικοί;

Speaking a little Greek I think you are saying that you are starting a post on the Catholic forum on Christian forums - my orthodox girlfriend wants to have sex - as it is the truthful forum? If I am correct, why are you posting this message here in Greek?

 

[Anhelyna]

Well - eventually Catholic500 did post his question on the Catholic board - OBOB having posted it here and on the Anglican one too.

Sadly though , he's not been back to see the responses

 

[Mountainmike]

I have read a lot of the posts, but cannot be sure I missed something.

Surely it needs a step back...

Why is it she became atheist? Was she ever more than a nominal catholic? What was it that changed her mind...sounds like there is an issue in there somewhere, that could be worked through. Indeed what course is she doing?

Seems to me there is a need to Address the issue of atheism, in a patient way, rather than accepting it as a fact of existence, or trying to accommodate an inappropriate relationship.