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Thread: My personal conversion from Protestant to Eastern Orthodox Catholic

  1. #1

    My personal conversion from Protestant to Eastern Orthodox Catholic

    During the course and history of my journey in faith has led me to believe more often than not--that I was wrong more often than not. This is not a pleasant experience, but if you pray for truth above all and the mind of Christ--you will welcome rebuke and correction as I have done.

    First please allow me to say that this is *my personal journey in faith and calling*--this may not be yours as we are all called to different ministries and purposes within the body of Christ and the Lord leads His children where they are needed most or where He wants them to be for His own reasons. So please do not assume that what God has done in my life is what He wants you to do in your life as well. At least try to keep an open mind while reading this and let the Spirit speak to whomever He will with regard to those convictions and truths that set us all free from the lies and deceptions of false doctrines. We are all members of the body of Christ given different functions as arms, legs, feet, mouths and hands are to a physical body as well. God scatters His treasures, truths and people for a good reason.

    I am 59 years old now, but my journey in faith and belief in Christ began when the Lord found me broken, in pain and hurting at the age of 26 years old when I cried out these words to Him--"God if you're there and you can hear me--please help me". My, how time flies as I look back upon those days that seem like yesterday.

    Before that day when I cried out to the Lord, I could not read and understand the word of God. It was as if I was trying to translate a foreign language without understanding it. This too made me realize why God will not reveal the mysteries to those who have not sought Him out with a whole sincere heart and mind. But I always carried that Bible with me for some strange reason thinking and knowing in my mind that there was something there that was good because the person that gave me that Bible was a man of God who I came to trust knowing he cared about me when so many others didn't. It not just a part of God, but also a part of him I carried with me always. I do not know what happened to him to this day, but I remember him and hope to meet him again in heaven some day.

    I opened that Bible that very day because after I cried out to God that very day, and as God as my true witness here--I felt physical arms wrapping themselves around me as I was curled up in pain, but there was only me alone--so I thought. Now I realize it was my guardian angel or the Lord Jesus Himself, but someone was comforting me and I could physically feel the love like I'd never felt love before and didn't know what it was until that day.

    Over the course of the years I was led to many-many churches and saw people who loved the Lord in every single one of them. I can name the churches I was led to and attended services in all of them. Roman Catholic, Seventh Day Advent, Methodist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Baptist, Christian Science, Assembly of God, Evangelical Covenant (universalist church) and some non-denominational churches as well. There's almost too many to mention as you can see. And while some of you might be saying to yourselves while reading this "oh no--she didn't go there"-- I can tell you that yes I did go there! lol

    I was actually baptized in some of these churches as well. I listened to all of their sermons and liturgies. I saw people who cried for their love of the Lord in them too. I began to question God asking Him--"why Lord--why are there so many people believing such diverse doctrines and all in your name and which are right--which doctrine is yours and true?"

    In some of these churches I experienced miracles and wonders and saw the Spirit of the Lord there as well. Just one experience is where the Holy Spirit was asking me to say something that I refused to say until I felt someone push me in my back and almost fell out of my seat. I looked behind me and there was a very quiet little old lady sitting there holding her bible, so I knew it wasn't her--it was an angel pushing me to say what needed to be said to another woman who was thinking of leaving of her husband that very night. I didn't know who that message was for, but that I was being spiritually told to stand up and say it. For fear of making a fool of myself--I almost didn't stand up--but me being who I am, did stand up and say it. Then all of the sudden a woman who came with a group of singers--they all stood up and stared at me and started praising the Lord with tears. I had no idea what was happening until they told me that they had prayed for an answer that very night before the camp meeting began because she was going to leave her husband because of his drinking problem. The Lord through me told her to stay with her husband and that He'd heard their prayers and was answering them.

    Now this is how the Spirit of the Lord works through us. This is our fruit of the spirit. Why I was led to so many churches I can only look back now and see the answer. Because I had prayed a prayer to God asking Him to show me His truth and not to let me be blown about by every wind of doctrine. Well--God had to reveal those to me before I could understand that--yes His sheep do know His voice and that we are in many places and churches for His reasons. God didn't want me to remain in any one of those places, but kept moving me to another and then another and with the same message everywhere I went, despite many in those places who were being taught other things by men and women unseasoned in the Spirit of the Lord. Many times I have stood up being prompted by the Spirit of the Lord just the same as I did in that little Baptist church all those years ago.

    I began to see that there is a problem in many of the Protestant churches and Catholic churches as well. We won't single out the Protestants here either. Although Gods children reside amongst the congregations in many of the churches--God knowing the hearts of those who truly belong to Him--that the Lords Gospel saving message of Christ has been perverted in many of them robbing His children of the fullness in that very saving Gospel message of Christ. I saw this as a very serious problem in almost every single Protestant church that I attended.

    Although I was very anti-Catholic at one point in my journey--not understanding in full knowledge and discerning all that I needed to Spiritually--I came to see a pattern emerging through my discussions on faith, salvation, grace, predestination and eternal security. That what the Spirit of the Lord had revealed to me as the saving Gospel message of Christ--(church traditions aside from that)--that I was in agreement with the Catholics more often than not! Now, I had to really scratch my enchilada head and wonder why what I always thought was wrong--turned out to be that the Catholics actually had the Gospel saving message of Christ right! Oh NO! Lord--what's happening here? LOL How could I have not seen this before?

    But then I had another hurdle to overcome. I didn't understand or have the Biblical knowledge of some of the Catholic traditions and practices that I most definitely did not agree with coming out of the Protestant churches. Yes--to some degree--I had allowed myself to become the very thing I was trying to avoid--that was being indoctrinated in the Protestant churches and into something I never thought was possible. The Lord revealed to me the difference through prayer and study of His word. What was of Him and what wasn't. If you seek in prayer--you will be shown.

    Now--here comes the part where we should always keep an open mind in Christ and never toss the baby out with the bathwater. We are called to study the word in prayer while seeking His truth in the Spirit of the Lord. If we do this--you will be rewarded with truth and have that blessed assurance to go along with it.

    Aside from whatever traditions and practices any church has adopted through the millennia or centuries--there is a right way to believe. There is a core Gospel message that has been preserved, despite any traditions that seem to take away from that, but they don't. The traditions and practices are aside from the Gospel saving message of Christ--it's that message that makes all of the difference in the life of a believer. Let me also say this--our Christian traditions are not those that Paul talks about that make void the word of God--it's the Jewish traditions of the OT that do. St. Paul tells us to hold fast to our Christian traditions and this is something many Christians confuse because they're not on the meat of the word and have not come to full understanding spiritually as I once was myself. But in all humility--I will also say this--I am still growing and learning in faith every single day and this is something that takes many of us years to build upon. Spiritual character is not built over night at the point of confession--this is where we are born in Christ as babes and begin to grow.

    I have grown in Christ and in His word thanks to the obedient brothers and sisters I have been blessed to have been witnessed to by them and at the same time, I also know that God is using me to do the same with them regarding certain spiritual matters as well. This is how it works to bring believers together in the fullness of the Gospel saving message of Christ. This is what matters--this is the message that saves the lost, witnesses to the hurting and those who need to know that there is hope and salvation in the Gospel of Christ. This is central--the church should always revolve around this message and Christ should always be the central part of the church.

    For these reasons which I have mentioned--I have been led to the Eastern Orthodox faith. Because at this point and time in my journey in faith I am seeing for the very first time the Gospel message that has been preserved in this ancient church. So much so that it has drawn me in for Gods own reasons I am sure. This may not be your path. This may not even resonate as true to you, but it may to someone else. Your relationship with Christ is your personal business and you are responsible for choosing what God is leading you to and to spiritually hear and see what it is that He wants you to do and be as this is the calling in our lives and it's a personal thing--an individual thing between you and our Lord.

    May the Lord use this testimony as He sees fit. I was led to write this and take this time to share this with you.

    Peace in Christ



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  3. #2
    Ephesians 2:8-9-

    8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

  4. #3
    My family and I are being Chrismated in a ROCOR church this Sunday.

    I wish I could say this was anything other than an intellectual journey. But this really is simple.

    1) No other body, aside from Rome, makes a claim of being the historical Church - at least not a claim which can be taken seriously. No other body can trace its roots back that far.

    2) Some other bodies inflate particular doctrines and make them seem of paramount importance. Perhaps it's sin. Or faith. Or the crucifixion. Or grace. Or love.
    Who are they arguing with? Themselves, or outsiders?
    If we settled that argument, and found a congregation of believers who all agreed that this thing is paramount, what then? Where do they go from there?
    If you hammered each of those out, what would your church look like?
    Why obsess about any one thing - or even any ten things - when you can have a faith that encompasses them all?
    I found that this faith already exists.

    3) How can we reconcile the ever changing nature of all other Christian expressions? Not one, not one single one, aside from Orthodoxy, has remained unchanged - in my measly 40 years of life!
    How can I pass this on to my daughters in good conscience? How can I claim that right and wrong are immutable, objective concepts when those holding the keys to right and wrong are so easily mutable?
    Why would we not choose the expression which has not changed in 2000 years - the expression for which change is unthinkable?
    The expression which chose irreconcilable rift with 50% of Christendom over the addition of three words to their creed?

    4) Why would I not raise my children in an environment that concentrates foremost on what they are saying and doing, and pays so little attention to what others are saying and doing?
    I grew up that way - learning to point fingers at other Christians, and not knowing what I myself was supposed to believe.
    It's not about what other people believe. It's about Christ.
    Not just Christ the friend, or even Christ the redeemer.
    Christ the second person of the Trinity.
    Christ the Pantokrator.

    I want me and mine to do what we are supposed to be doing, not what we - not what anyone - necessarily wants to do.
    I like the idea of joining a group that has two millennia under its belt to support what it's doing.

    5) Answers.
    They exist. There is always an answer. At least for everything I've asked so far.
    You're probably not going to meet a priest who knows all of them. But the answers exist.
    There are no crimes against people.
    There are only crimes against the state.
    And the state will never, ever choose to hold accountable its agents, because a thing can not commit a crime against itself.

  5. #4
    You offer one example.
    I can offer millions of examples of people leaving Orthodoxy for atheism.
    If leaving is our basis of truth, then atheism clearly wins.
    There are no crimes against people.
    There are only crimes against the state.
    And the state will never, ever choose to hold accountable its agents, because a thing can not commit a crime against itself.

  6. #5
    Some one gave your thread one star. I'll bump it back up.

    I get Chrismated in the Eastern Orthodox Church in October. I went from a Catholic, 15 year atheist/agnostic, nondenominational, back to Roman Catholicism and finally home to Orthodoxy.

    I am very skeptical by nature. I actually love reading Videodromes, James, and Otherone posts because my mind works very similiar. It is only by the Grace of God that I am a Christian.
    Last edited by RJB; 09-16-2014 at 07:04 PM.

  7. #6
    Quote Originally Posted by fisharmor View Post
    My family and I are being Chrismated in a ROCOR church this Sunday.

    I wish I could say this was anything other than an intellectual journey. But this really is simple.

    1) No other body, aside from Rome, makes a claim of being the historical Church - at least not a claim which can be taken seriously. No other body can trace its roots back that far.

    2) Some other bodies inflate particular doctrines and make them seem of paramount importance. Perhaps it's sin. Or faith. Or the crucifixion. Or grace. Or love.
    Who are they arguing with? Themselves, or outsiders?
    If we settled that argument, and found a congregation of believers who all agreed that this thing is paramount, what then? Where do they go from there?
    If you hammered each of those out, what would your church look like?
    Why obsess about any one thing - or even any ten things - when you can have a faith that encompasses them all?
    I found that this faith already exists.

    3) How can we reconcile the ever changing nature of all other Christian expressions? Not one, not one single one, aside from Orthodoxy, has remained unchanged - in my measly 40 years of life!
    How can I pass this on to my daughters in good conscience? How can I claim that right and wrong are immutable, objective concepts when those holding the keys to right and wrong are so easily mutable?
    Why would we not choose the expression which has not changed in 2000 years - the expression for which change is unthinkable?
    The expression which chose irreconcilable rift with 50% of Christendom over the addition of three words to their creed?

    4) Why would I not raise my children in an environment that concentrates foremost on what they are saying and doing, and pays so little attention to what others are saying and doing?
    I grew up that way - learning to point fingers at other Christians, and not knowing what I myself was supposed to believe.
    It's not about what other people believe. It's about Christ.
    Not just Christ the friend, or even Christ the redeemer.
    Christ the second person of the Trinity.
    Christ the Pantokrator.

    I want me and mine to do what we are supposed to be doing, not what we - not what anyone - necessarily wants to do.
    I like the idea of joining a group that has two millennia under its belt to support what it's doing.

    5) Answers.
    They exist. There is always an answer. At least for everything I've asked so far.
    You're probably not going to meet a priest who knows all of them. But the answers exist.
    Excellent post fish. I think the most wonderful thing about my conversion is that at this late stage in my life and having traveled so far--looking back now is like seeing so many people and roads traveled. So many lives have been touched through the witness of Christ along the way including mine. I have no idea where the spiritual road ahead will lead me--all I know is that it's far too late for me to question the Lord and simply trust that wherever I go--He's already been there and blazed my horizon and I go in faith knowing that He leads me and I'm never alone.

    I have seen many things and experienced many miracles in the Lord--some not so pleasant too. But everything I have been shown has been for a reason and a purpose which I believe is my calling alone and no one else's.

    For many years now I have not attended any church, other than a couple Protestant churches we were invited to and after a service or two--was not impressed to say the least. Some of the things that men and women are teaching in churches today are truly scary. Some of these strongholds are enormous and I could feel the spiritual oppression as soon as I walked through the doors in some of them too. Do these people calling themselves "leaders of the flock" not know what God says about those who lead His sheep astray? I would never want to claim that title unless God Himself gave me three dreams and a vision and even then, I would shudder to think of the penalty for taking such a responsibility not seriously enough.

    I went to one Assembly of God church because we were invited--both my husband and myself who consider ourselves fairly seasoned Christians in the word. We went into the Sunday school to hear what was being taught. As we sat there and listened to this man, who was probably in his late twenties or early thirties--I looked at my husband and said to him--do you have any idea what this guy is talking about? He said--"no, nothing he's saying makes any sense at all". Some woman was taking notes sitting next to me and I thought to myself---what could she possibly be getting from this? LOL This guy was acting like he was some TBN preacher who liked the drama of dancing across the stage in an effort to prove how spiritual he was simply did not have a blinkin clue! How is it possible that he was even allowed to speak to little children--let alone adults sitting there as well? We were shocked and awed.

    Then some members of the church asked us if knew that we were saved. Both my husband and myself told them that we believed we had the hope as long as we walked in the Spirit of the Lord. They said "oh that's not right". They continued to tell us unless we could speak in tongues and prove it right there and then that we were not saved and that was a prerequisite for our salvation. My husband and I just laughed out loud because again--we were so shocked to hear this coming from elders of this church! We tried to explain with scripture that everyone has different gifts of the spirit and that speaking in tongues is not a prerequisite for anyone's salvation. We were basically ran out of that church--well--I've been tossed out of better places than that--like really nice taverns in my old party days when I was young and rowdy. At least drunks are more true to their own nature.

    Almost every single Protestant church I've been to has taught a different Gospel and this is the truth. Something is spiritually amiss here and very wrong within the Protestant denominations. I know what it is now--but it took a long time to see it.
    Last edited by Terry1; 09-16-2014 at 06:43 PM.

  8. #7
    Quote Originally Posted by RJB View Post
    Some one gave your thread one star. I'll bump it back up.

    I get Chrismated in the Eastern Orthodox Church in October. I went from a Catholic, 15 year atheist/agnostic, nondenominational, back to Roman Catholicism and finally home to Orthodoxy.

    I am very skeptical by nature. I actually love reading Videodromes, James, and Otherone because my mind works very similiar. It is only by the Grace of God that I am a Christian.
    Congrats! Your Chrismation is far more uncomplicated than mine is. I have to finish Catechism as time allows before I can be Chrismated and then regarding my baptism, because I don't have a certificate--will need permission from the Bishop because the EOC does not believe in "rebaptizing" unless they know it wasn't done properly the first time. Now my husband was baptized in the Catholic church and the Catholics keep excellent records--so even his Chrismation would be far less complicated than mine.

    I'm actually looking forward to meeting with the Priest regularly--he's wonderful and so bright. I can still attend bible study too. I'm really excited about the whole process actually.
    Last edited by Terry1; 09-16-2014 at 06:54 PM.

  9. #8
    Quote Originally Posted by fisharmor View Post
    You offer one example.
    I can offer millions of examples of people leaving Orthodoxy for atheism.
    If leaving is our basis of truth, then atheism clearly wins.

    I agree here and the reason we need the ancient church is so blatantly obvious in light of the different doctrines and Gospels being taught by the Protestants churches. There is a reason there's a need for our Christian traditions and practices and there's also a reason why the ancient church has never changed with regard to the core Gospel message of Christ that has indeed been preserved by this church.

    In the Protestant churches, many of them do not respect and honor the process and hold their traditions as sacred as the ancient church does. There is order and a sense of respect for the entire service and liturgy from beginning to end. Jesus Christ is central to everything. Everything has meaning--everything is respected and held sacred and there's no running up and down the isles and no one in blue jeans and T shirts. Not that they wouldn't be accepted, but understanding this is the House of the Lord--people are expected to be at their best in the way they dress and act and with respect for the Lords House. Everything is sacred in this ancient church--everything and their message is consistent throughout any EOC any where you go--the saving message of the Gospel of Christ is the same.



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  11. #9
    Quote Originally Posted by Terry1 View Post
    Everything has meaning--everything is respected and held sacred and there's no running up and down the isles and no one in blue jeans and T shirts.
    I was once at a catholic church on Ash Wednesday and watched as a golden retriever walked down the aisle in the procession. Plenty of people there in tshirts, shorts, sandals and what not. I think it sorta depends on the community where the church is located, this was in the keys.

  12. #10
    Quote Originally Posted by specsaregood View Post
    I was once at a catholic church on Ash Wednesday and watched as a golden retriever walked down the aisle in the procession. Plenty of people there in tshirts, shorts, sandals and what not. I think it sorta depends on the community where the church is located, this was in the keys.
    Well it's like I said--I'm sure no one would be thrown out or rejected for coming to church in their jeans and T-shirts, but honor and respect is taught as should be and I believe and agree that when coming to the House of the Lord--people should wear some of their best clothing as if you were going to a special dinner or celebration. If their jeans and T shirts are their best--then that is what it is too. God knows this.

    I believe that we are called to be examples in everything we do as witnesses for Christ in this physical world.

  13. #11
    Quote Originally Posted by Terry1 View Post
    I agree here and the reason we need the ancient church is so blatantly obvious in light of the different doctrines and Gospels being taught by the Protestants churches. There is a reason there's a need for our Christian traditions and practices and there's also a reason why the ancient church has never changed with regard to the core Gospel message of Christ that has indeed been preserved by this church.

    In the Protestant churches, many of them do not respect and honor the process and hold their traditions as sacred as the ancient church does. There is order and a sense of respect for the entire service and liturgy from beginning to end. Jesus Christ is central to everything. Everything has meaning--everything is respected and held sacred and there's no running up and down the isles and no one in blue jeans and T shirts. Not that they wouldn't be accepted, but understanding this is the House of the Lord--people are expected to be at their best in the way they dress and act and with respect for the Lords House. Everything is sacred in this ancient church--everything and their message is consistent throughout any EOC any where you go--the saving message of the Gospel of Christ is the same.
    To me, 1 of the biggest and most tragic losses that the Protestants suffered was the loss of the sacraments. It wasn't until I began partaking in them that I realized how full, beautiful, and meaningful they are. Most importantly, the Eucharist. Like you, I've been to very beautiful and elaborate Protestant and non-denominational churches, but none had the "depth" and "fullness" of an Orthodox parish. ~hugs Terry~
    Quote Originally Posted by Torchbearer
    what works can never be discussed online. there is only one language the government understands, and until the people start speaking it by the magazine full... things will remain the same.
    Hear/buy my music here "government is the enemy of liberty"-RP Support me on Patreon here Ephesians 6:12

  14. #12
    Quote Originally Posted by heavenlyboy34 View Post
    To me, 1 of the biggest and most tragic losses that the Protestants suffered was the loss of the sacraments. It wasn't until I began partaking in them that I realized how full, beautiful, and meaningful they are. Most importantly, the Eucharist. Like you, I've been to very beautiful and elaborate Protestant and non-denominational churches, but none had the "depth" and "fullness" of an Orthodox parish. ~hugs Terry~
    So true--

  15. #13
    Jesus said to take the Lord's Supper in "remembrance of Me." The Lord's Supper does not bestow God's grace on those who practice it. It is a remembrance, not a re-sacrifice.
    Ephesians 2:8-9-

    8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

  16. #14
    Quote Originally Posted by Kevin007 View Post
    Jesus said to take the Lord's Supper in "remembrance of Me." The Lord's Supper does not bestow God's grace on those who practice it. It is a remembrance, not a re-sacrifice.
    You can't be damned for not "remembering" Jesus properly Kevin. Read that scripture that tells you that if you drink the blood and eat the flesh of Jesus unworthily--you *are* eating and drinking damnation unto yourself. This isn't something one simply casually does as if they're having a snack in the name of Jesus.

  17. #15
    Quote Originally Posted by Terry1 View Post
    You can't be damned for not "remembering" Jesus properly Kevin. Read that scripture that tells you that if you drink the blood and eat the flesh of Jesus unworthily--you *are* eating and drinking damnation unto yourself. This isn't something one simply casually does as if they're having a snack in the name of Jesus.
    Paul was speaking to the Corinthians, who were careless of irreverant behavior Terry. As Believers we should judge ourselves before partaking of it. You know that a real, true sacrifice is bloody, don't you? Jesus said do this in remembrance of me. His one time perfect sacrifice is enough- it is finished. Jesus is in Heaven- and has been since he went up. He isn't coming back everyday, thousands of times a day in a million places. When Jesus was here he was in one place at a time PHYSICALLY in a man's body. He is the same today and yesterday. God doesn't change. We believer's have the Holy Spirit here to guide us in all truth. Jesus is not on earth, at a mass or in a church. He isn't in a Protestant Church either. He is seated at the right hand of the Father until He makes His enemies a foot stool at the end of the Tribulation.


    Of David. A psalm. The LORD says to my lord: "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet." (Psalm 110:1)
    Ephesians 2:8-9-

    8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

  18. #16
    Ephesians 2:8-9-

    8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.



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  20. #17
    Terry- salvation is a passing grade for all Believers. But every Believer gets different rewards/marks at the Judgment Seat of Christ/Bema Seat. Why? Because some sin more or less than others, some do less or more with what God has given them. Pretty simple.
    Ephesians 2:8-9-

    8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

  21. #18
    so, Terry- I can commit as many sins as I want till Sunday, repent- ask another sinner (priest) to forgive me, then start all over again?
    Ephesians 2:8-9-

    8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

  22. #19
    Quote Originally Posted by Kevin007 View Post
    so, Terry- I can commit as many sins as I want till Sunday, repent- ask another sinner (priest) to forgive me, then start all over again?
    James 5: 16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.


    Are you going to argue with this too? What's the difference between my Priest and your friend or pastor using intercessory prayer and assuring you that you have been forgiven for repenting of them.

    If I'm going to confess my faults and sin to another person--I'd like to know that they are a man of God and of the cloth and seasoned in the word of God as "righteous" men of God are.


    17Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. 18And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.
    Last edited by Terry1; 09-16-2014 at 09:18 PM.

  23. #20
    Oh, Terry...I'm sorry to see that certain members are pissing in your perfectly lovely thread. Forgive me if I made it worse. ~hugs~
    Quote Originally Posted by Torchbearer
    what works can never be discussed online. there is only one language the government understands, and until the people start speaking it by the magazine full... things will remain the same.
    Hear/buy my music here "government is the enemy of liberty"-RP Support me on Patreon here Ephesians 6:12

  24. #21
    Quote Originally Posted by heavenlyboy34 View Post
    Oh, Terry...I'm sorry to see that certain members are pissing in your perfectly lovely thread. Forgive me if I made it worse. ~hugs~
    No you didn't. You're presence is always a joy and very welcome. It's our calling to be pissed on--

  25. #22
    Quote Originally Posted by Terry1 View Post
    James 5: 16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.


    Are you going to argue with this too? What's the difference between my Priest and your friend or pastor using intercessory prayer and assuring you that you have been forgiven for repenting of them.

    If I'm going to confess my faults and sin to another person--I'd like to know that they are a man of God and of the cloth and seasoned in the word of God as "righteous" men of God are.

    confes.


    17Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. 18And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.
    confess your sins to one another..... which means you do not need a priest. And since you have ignored the other thread, the A.S. chain was broken many many times and it is not valid. On top of that, Peter was referring to Jesus as the rock anyway, lol
    Ephesians 2:8-9-

    8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

  26. #23
    Quote Originally Posted by Kevin007 View Post
    confess your sins to one another..... which means you do not need a priest. And since you have ignored the other thread, the A.S. chain was broken many many times and it is not valid. On top of that, Peter was referring to Jesus as the rock anyway, lol
    Now, this is interesting.
    When my parents watched me refuse to take communion at a Lutheran church last Christmas, they were concerned and started asking questions.
    I told them I hadn't had communion in over four years.
    To their credit, they kept it together. Both of them started running down the Lutheran bullet list of things I would have said in this situation 7 or so years ago.
    And I delicately snipped each argument into pieces.
    And I realized that they just didn't get any of this.

    Fast forward a couple months, and I'm having them over to dinner to admit to them that we're joining the Church. Well, the Holy Spirit was at work that night, because it was a night without incident, and the argument was ended... by two very important points.

    First, I talked about the historicity of the Church and how nothing has changed from the beginning. My father asked "So for the Orthodox, the reformation never happened?" A couple sentences later we explained no, it never happened, because it didn't need to.

    Then a couple minutes later my mother asked "Look just tell me you're not going to be buying indulgences here."
    "Mom, wow, ok... listen, the Orthodox are not Roman Catholic."

    I learned a really good lesson that day.
    Kevin, quit shadowboxing and come throw punches at what we really are. We all ignored the other thread because the Orthodox are not Roman Catholic.

    I'll warn you, though, it's a tar baby. If you find out what it really is, you stand a good chance of getting stuck in it.
    There are no crimes against people.
    There are only crimes against the state.
    And the state will never, ever choose to hold accountable its agents, because a thing can not commit a crime against itself.

  27. #24
    Kevin has resorted to grabbing at straws now. He refuses to acknowledge the difference between the RCC and the EOC. So when he feels he's been backed into a corner--he then reverts to attacking the RCC as if it were relevant to EOC doctrine and discussion as well. There is a reason for that schism, although we do consider ourselves sister churches in Spirit.

    EOC does not have confession booths. We have real conversations about how to better ourselves. Kevin refuses to do his own homework and study. Frankly--I'm tired of doing it for him too.

    Kevin would rather run to rabid sites like "gotquestions.com" or "CARM" who actually don't agree with each other. He's all over the place attempting to justify what it is that he's chosen to believe.
    Last edited by Terry1; 09-17-2014 at 11:08 AM.



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  29. #25
    I don't think poor Kevin reads what he posts nor does he read what others post. He has said he is very busy.

    In his article he posts about a Romanian Orthodox who becomes an evangelical, the man pretty much admits he was born into it without becoming an Orthodox. I'm sure Kevin could have found a more insightful article if he had spent the time.

    He also hasn't addressed any points the OP made. Instead he does his usual approach, he attacks off topic subjects such as the Eucharist, Salvation, etc. and the sad thing is that he has a poor understanding of what Catholics believe. If he paid as much attention to what was being taught by the Church as a kid as he pays attention to what other posters say and what his own web links say nowadays, I see why he was lead astray.

    If Kevin really believed that he was supposed to be worshipping Mary, that he was supposed to trust in his own works over Jesus Christ, etc. It's better that he left the RCC. However it would have been even better if he would pay attention to the actual teachings.

    The oddest thing he is doing is trying to get Orthodox Christians to defend the Papacy. LOL

  30. #26
    Quote Originally Posted by RJB View Post
    I don't think poor Kevin reads what he posts nor does he read what others post. He has said he is very busy.

    In his article he posts about a Romanian Orthodox who becomes an evangelical, the man pretty much admits he was born into it without becoming an Orthodox. I'm sure Kevin could have found a more insightful article if he had spent the time.

    He also hasn't addressed any points the OP made. Instead he does his usual approach, he attacks off topic subjects such as the Eucharist, Salvation, etc. and the sad thing is that he has a poor understanding of what Catholics believe. If he paid as much attention to what was being taught by the Church as a kid as he pays attention to what other posters say and what his own web links say nowadays, I see why he was lead astray.

    If Kevin really believed that he was supposed to be worshipping Mary, that he was supposed to trust in his own works over Jesus Christ, etc. It's better that he left the RCC. However it would have been even better if he would pay attention to the actual teachings.

    The oddest thing he is doing is trying to get Orthodox Christians to defend the Papacy. LOL
    I guess he wants to believe apples are oranges just because they're fruit. I could say that Protestants are all the same too, but we all know that would be a stretch of the imagination.

  31. #27
    I'm speaking to the RC's, not the EOC. The reason I took the thread post into here was because the RC's were not answering the question in the Mary thread.
    Ephesians 2:8-9-

    8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

  32. #28
    Quote Originally Posted by Kevin007 View Post
    I'm speaking to the RC's, not the EOC. The reason I took the thread post into here was because the RC's were not answering the question in the Mary thread.
    Why don't you post it in the Dennis Kucinich thread or the anti-vaccine thread or the NFL thread? Why this thread?
    Last edited by RJB; 09-17-2014 at 12:49 PM.

  33. #29

  34. #30
    I don't want to get into a religion debate, but I kind of had the opposite experience as Terry. My mom raised my sisters and I Catholic, but that caused me to be an unbeliever. All I saw was religion, people going through the motions on Sundays but then acting like everyone else the rest of the week. Even as a child I intuitively knew that there was something missing, or off. No one even told me about salvation or my need to be born again. I didn't see any transformed lives or anything that would inspire me to seek God. So I rejected it all, unfortunately throwing out the baby with the bathwater.

    I'm very thankful that God pursued me and (years later) opened my eyes, which was the biggest turning point of my life. And 4 years after I became a Christian my younger sister also became a born-again Christian. We both go to nondenominational churches, but more importantly it's about following Jesus... it's a daily thing, that involves full surrender, not just going to church on Sundays.

    PS: I miss Kevin.
    “I have no doubt that it is a part of the destiny of the human race, in its gradual improvement, to leave off eating animals, as surely as the savage tribes have left off eating each other.”

    ― Henry David Thoreau

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