Protestant converts to Orthodoxy

[ndismyhome]

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

Those would be two big ones. I would also add indellible character, Eucharistic emphasis, and the notion that (pre Vat. II) only a priest and altar servers were needed for mass. Orthodoxy feels more “Lutheran” to me in piety than Roman Catholicism does. If I were to leave my Lutheran denomination, I would try to enter into the OCA. If not there then eastern rite Catholicism, and if all those options were exhausted, Latin rite Catholicism.

As to your point about Sacred Tradition and Apostolic Succession, I would be suspect of the “Lutheran-ness” of anyone who did not take those doctrines seriously. After all, we put the Nicene Creed at the front of our Concordias for a reason!

 

[JonNC]

=ndismyhome;8780627]Those would be two big ones. I would also add indellible character, Eucharistic emphasis, and the notion that (pre Vat. II) only a priest and altar servers were needed for mass.** Orthodoxy feels more “Lutheran” to me in piety than Roman Catholicism does.** If I were to leave my Lutheran denomination, I would try to enter into the OCA. If not there then eastern rite Catholicism, and if all those options were exhausted, Latin rite Catholicism.

Perhaps because of scholasticism?

As to your point about Sacred Tradition and Apostolic Succession, I would be suspect of the “Lutheran-ness” of anyone who did not take those doctrines seriously. After all, we put the Nicene Creed at the front of our Concordias for a reason!

Well said.

Jon

 

[FabiusMaximus]

Are Orthodox ever really engaged in apologetics against Protestants? Or do they see Protestantism as Rome’s own dish to wash?

I suppose it would depend when and where.

The Protestant Reformation did generally occur on “Catholic turf,” considering that all the countries that were affected by the Reformation were within the Catholic Church’s orbit, rather than Eastern Orthodox. Most countries where there is a large Orthodox presence have huge Orthodox majorities.

If we are limiting the discussion to the United States, I think there are some important points to consider:

1. The Orthodox Church is still relatively unknown here, and what little people may know, they associate with “ethnic churches” - Greek, Serbian, Russian, Romanian, etc. The “Orthodox Church in America,” from what I understand, is still a work in progress.
2. Given the above, resources are stretched thin, and depending where you are, things might be more devoted to helping out the church as is.

3)I think there has been some outreach to Protestants. Well at least the Orthodox priest I know is a very nice guy and would like me to convert .

 

[FabiusMaximus]

Perhaps because of scholasticism?

Well said.

Jon

Well from what I remember, Lutheran was interested in the Orthodox Church and acknowledged similarities between his philosophy and the Orthodox’s.

As an Orthodox priest I know mentioned, perhaps what stopped him from having his faction join Orthodoxy is the fact that he “decided to look West, and not East.”

 

[ndismyhome]

@JonNC -Scholasticism would be a big part of it. The Lutheran reformers looked extensively to the Fathers to help craft their critique. The Orthodox never really grew away from Patristic-style theology.

@FabiusMaximus - the OCA is autocephalus, I believe. As such, it is a fully functioning American Orthodox Church in communion with the others. As for your comment on Luther looking west rather than east, there is more truth to that than I would like to admit.