Religion talk with a friend (NEED HELP)

[Balcerhouse]

I have a really good friend who started talking to me about Orthodoxy while I was still a Baptist probably… 6 years ago, maybe more. I had never heard of the Eastern Orthodox church at 20 or so years old. I was raised hardline independent fundamental kjv only baptist and had went to a private baptist school my entire education. I knew about Catholics (obviously) they were the whore of the revelation, or rather the Catholic church was not necessarily the people in the Church.

Anyway I’m getting away from my point. My church had split a few times and they were very ugly splits. Deacons wife leaving flicking the auditorium off as she left for example. Well seeing the priests in their weird outfits and their long beards I thought it all looked awesome and thought how weird it was that these people worshipped Jesus. Then my parents told me that they worship Mary too. I was disappointed and tossed them in the Catholic category.

Fast-forward five years or so and after conversations trying to convert my friend he gave me books and I gave him books. Turns out that I became Catholic. The friend is still not satisfied haha he of course has the main topics of 1. papal primacy and 2. the filioque. I’m satisfied with the Church’s understanding of both but he and I are going to get together later today to smoke some pipe tobacco and talk religion.

Are there any Orthodox to Catholic converts or anyone in general that have good points I can bring up?

 

[MikkiD]

I am sure as a Catholic you realize that we honor Mary. We don’t worship her. There is an excellent book by Scott Hahn that explains our relationship with the Blessed.Virgin. I think it is called “Hail Holy Queen”. I am a cradle Catholic, but one concept that I thought other denominations would find interesting is the comparison he makes to ancient kings (such as David) having a queen mother who had a special position and esteem with the king. Often she would intercede for the people. We often ask for Mary to intercede for us. We love her, we implore her help, but we don’t worship her as diety.

 

[St_Francis]

For future reference, there is an excellent book citing Protestant and Orthodox sources as well as Catholic sources throughout Church history called Jesus, Peter, and the Keys.

 

[ahs]

The Orthodox folks that I have talked to about Peter’s Primacy tend to resort to Sola Scriptura on that topic…“the Bible never records Peter as having claimed that he was the leader…”

The writings of the ECF’s can be of help, but Scripture infers it just as clearly. The best thing I could tell you, if both of you have already discussed the Scripture verses, is to read a good tract on it and give it to him to read as well:

catholic.com/tracts/peters-primacy
catholic.com/magazine/articles/peter-and-the-eastern-orthodox (Magazine Article specific to Eastern Orthodox and Peter)

In then end, only the Holy Spirit can do any convincing. Mt 16:9 read with Is 22:22) is a slam dunk as far as I’m concerned. But I’ve witnessed Orthodox and other non-Catholics dismiss it as nothing.

 

[pablope]

I h
Fast-forward five years or so and after conversations trying to convert my friend he gave me books and I gave him books. Turns out that I became Catholic. The friend is still not satisfied haha he of course has the main topics of 1. papal primacy and 2. the filioque. I’m satisfied with the Church’s understanding of both but he and I are going to get together later today to smoke some pipe tobacco and talk religion.

Are there any Orthodox to Catholic converts or anyone in general that have good points I can bring up?

catholic.com/magazine/articles/peter-and-the-eastern-orthodox

ewtn.com/library/ANSWERS/1ORTHO.htm

catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=3485

 

[zz912]

Some of the issues that i see for the Orthodox position include:

Churches becoming nationalistic, whereas the Church of Christ is universal.

Lack of uniform teaching on some items, especially on things of more recent vintage, I.e. cloning, embryonic stem cells, contraception, etc.

Lack of ability to call ecumenical councils to be able to deal with these and many other issues.

The success of the Eastern Rite Churches to come back, and stay in communion with Rome.