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Anthony_V
Guest
Are Orthodox ever really engaged in apologetics against Protestants? Or do they see Protestantism as Rome’s own dish to wash?
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Madaglan
Guest
Bishop Kallistos Ware, and other Orthodox, have referred to Roman Catholicism and Protestantism as flip sides of the same coin. From an Orthodox perspective, Roman Catholicism and Protestantism, while coming to different answers, ask the same questions. Orthodoxy is said to ask different questions, and one will frequently find mention of the Orthodox or Patristic mindset that must be acquired for a proper understanding of the Faith.
Apologetics against Protestants has been fueled by historical circumstances (e.g. Reformation & Counter-Reformation). While Baptists and others have entered traditionally Orthodox countries and attempted to make converts, Protestantism never has stood as a major opposition to Orthodoxy, and so there are not as many apologetic works.
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Nine_Two
Guest
Many Orthodox, especially in the Old World, see Protestantism as a Roman problem, however there are still a great many (especially in the New World) who see them as something distinct from Roman Catholicism.
I’m not aware of any major efforts directed specifically at Protestants, however there are clearly some efforts. Every parish I’ve been to has pamphletes somewhere out for the taking describing certain elements of Orthodoxy, and I’d estimate more than half are written to appeal to the Protestant viewpoint. The Antiochan Archdiocese has a missionary branch which is led by former Protestants, I imagine this puts a great deal of its efforts into Protestants.
I’m not aware of any major efforts directed specifically at Protestants, however there are clearly some efforts. Every parish I’ve been to has pamphletes somewhere out for the taking describing certain elements of Orthodoxy, and I’d estimate more than half are written to appeal to the Protestant viewpoint. The Antiochan Archdiocese has a missionary branch which is led by former Protestants, I imagine this puts a great deal of its efforts into Protestants.
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followingtheway
Guest
It’s very distinct from Roman Catholicism
As much as I love Protestants, I must say, if you ask most people out there, they’ll say we’re more like you guys.
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Anthony_V
Guest
Would you consider Roman Catholicism as a “major opposition to Orthodoxy”? In a doctrinal sense, I mean. I’m very much supportive of our continued reconiliation. My point being, if such is the case then why is a Protestant advance on Orthodoxy laughable, but a Catholic advance one that hasn’t been settled with nearly 1000 years of ink and pen? As you stated, they do indeed ask the same questions.
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DihydrogenOxide
Guest
Yep.It’s very distinct from Roman Catholicism
And we are.
I think the cultural and political divides had limited the contact between Orthodoxy and western non-catholic communions, the Tübingen Lutherans overture to Orthodoxy aside.
stpaulsirvine.org/html/lutheran.htm
Lutherans and Orthodox have been in dialogue in recent years.
helsinki.fi/~risaarin/lutort.html
Not sure, Anthony, if any of this relates to your OP, but I hope so.
Jon
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dcointin
Guest
We certainly do, especially as more of us convert to Orthodoxy. Our former churches have started taking note of this trend and publishing polemics against Orthodoxy, especially the more dogmatic churches. This is certainly the case with my former church, the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.
Do you have a link? I’d be interested in reading it. I have a great deal of respect for Pelikan.
Jon
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dcointin
Guest
Forgive me, a link to what? LC-MS polemics against Orthodoxy in general? I agree that Pelikan is fantastic, and I own two of his books.
Yes. I hadn’t come across any on the LCMS website.
Did Pelikan influence your move to Orthodoxy?
Jon
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dcointin
Guest
I wasn’t referring to anything officially communicated by the synod, my apologies if that was unclear. I heard an episode on KFUO once on Issues Etc., where they discussed Orthodoxy and the phenomenon of Protestant conversion to it. I was attended a symposium at Concordia Theological Seminary and a book was given in honor of a speaker that contained an polemical essay against Orthodoxy. I also hear comments on blogs, Facebook posts, etc. by pastors on the subject. My point is that it seems to be on their radar now.
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passer_by
Guest
Well you have to remember that for the most part of these 1000 years, there was not much communication between the West and East and the relationship was … hostile. Now that the two churches seem to communicate much freely and in a friendly sense, I am sure within the next 100 years, this issue will be resolved
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ndismyhome
Guest
@JonNC and dcointin
I have a number of former LCMS friends who converted to Orthodoxy (OCA) during their time at seminary. Most of them are alumni of Concordia Ft. Wayne. Apparently, there has been a minor exodus of pastors, scholars, and seminarians from Missouri Lutheranism to the Orthodox Churches.
I have a number of former LCMS friends who converted to Orthodoxy (OCA) during their time at seminary. Most of them are alumni of Concordia Ft. Wayne. Apparently, there has been a minor exodus of pastors, scholars, and seminarians from Missouri Lutheranism to the Orthodox Churches.
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dcointin
Guest
I graduated as a pre-seminary student from Concordia University, and was going to attend Concordia Seminary at Ft. Wayne as well. I have the interviews and paperwork in place, but toward the end of my senior year in college I realized that I needed to postpone seminary and come a decision about my beliefs. It was much harder for seminarians to make this decision, and even more so for pastors. A good friend of mine also left CTS and became Anglican priest, finishing his education at Neshota House.
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ndismyhome
Guest
@dcointin
At my friend’s OCA parish of about 200 members, there are 4 former LCMS seminarians, 3 former Lutheran pastors (2 of which were ELCA, one LCMS), and a number of former Lutheran laypeople of different backgrounds. I even met a family of WELS converts!
At my friend’s OCA parish of about 200 members, there are 4 former LCMS seminarians, 3 former Lutheran pastors (2 of which were ELCA, one LCMS), and a number of former Lutheran laypeople of different backgrounds. I even met a family of WELS converts!
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dcointin
Guest
How do you feel about their reasons for converting? Is that something you’ve ever considered, whether to Orthodoxy or Catholicism?
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ndismyhome
Guest
I thought that most of them had reasonable reasons (hah!) for converting.
ndismyhome and dcointin,
Would it be fair to say that when one strips away the ecclesiological issues of papal infallibility (ex cathedra) and universal jurisdiction, Sacred Tradition and Apostolic Succession seem appealing to some Lutherans, hence the apparent movement in that direction instead of to Rome?
Jon
Would it be fair to say that when one strips away the ecclesiological issues of papal infallibility (ex cathedra) and universal jurisdiction, Sacred Tradition and Apostolic Succession seem appealing to some Lutherans, hence the apparent movement in that direction instead of to Rome?
Jon
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Anthony_V
Guest
With all due respect to the LCMS and other Lutheran synods, I congratulate you on your first Holy Communion (whenever that was) and Confirmation! May God bless your life abundantly through the sacred mysteries of the mystical body of Christ! :extrahappy:
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