FOR THE EASTERN ORTHODOX
First off, I’d like to thank you for your interest in this page.
If you would like to write and refute something I wrote, you are more than welcome to, but please read this page first to see if the objection has already been addressed.
I would like to be upfront about the purpose of this blog. As mentioned on the home page, I am a former EO believer. I was involved with my local EO church (in Niš, Serbia) very actively for several years as an acolyte. I toured many monasteries, read a solid amount of EO theological books, and even aspired to become a priest. But, over time, EO teachings started making less and less sense in light of what I read in the Bible.
After years of thorough studying and firsthand experience, I came to a genuine conviction that the teachings of the EOC were not in line with Scripture. Funny thing is that at that time I did not even know who Evangelical Christians were, and what they taught (they are a tiny minority where I grew up). I was very happy when I “stumbled” across them, and realized that there were people out there who already taught what I suspected to be the truth. I never regretted the switch. Truth be told, as an EO I had no real relationship with the Lord. I got saved after I left the EOC, and my spiritual life has been blessed beyond measure ever since. I felt that a thick veil of darkness was lifted, and I finally started to understand the meaning of Scripture more and more. I’ve been joyfully serving the Lord since.
Naturally, I wanted to share this light with others. My sharing of the Gospel to the unreached caught the eye of some EO believers who happen to witness the act. Instead of applauding my effort to reach the lost, they would, in a very accusatory tone, ask: “why are you not Orthodox?!” Do keep in mind that this was in Serbia, a place where being non-EO many translate into “a Serbian culture hater”. Any time I tried to give a Scriptural explanation for my stance, the only sure answer coming my way was “Only the EOC has the right to interpret Scripture. Your opinion is irrelevant.” I dare even suggest that some were wishing they could treat heretics the good old way - the same way that the great Serbian saint Simeon (Stefan Nemanja) did – cut their tongues out and burn them at a stake (See a more thorough analysis of this topic here). Since I got nowhere with Scripture based arguments, I decided to try a different approach.
You will undoubtedly notice that my blog has no Scripture references. I regret that, but due to the previously mentioned experiences, I tried to bring my point across a different way - by revealing some actual EO teachings offensive and shocking not only to Bible believing Christians, but also to common sense.
My point was to ultimately show some of the glaring problems that EO doctrine has produced over the centuries. These are merely the tip of the iceberg, and the anti-Scriptural issues run much deeper.
My hope is that this will liberate the readers to critically evaluate what EO has to offer.
I would urge you to check out the following pages for a more thorough Scriptural analysis of EO:
www.orthodoxy-illuminated.weebly.com
www.gospelfororthodox.org
www.bereanbeacon.org/eastern-orthodox-articles.html
Blessing of our Lord Jesus Christ be upon you all.
In Christ,
Alex J.
If you would like to write and refute something I wrote, you are more than welcome to, but please read this page first to see if the objection has already been addressed.
I would like to be upfront about the purpose of this blog. As mentioned on the home page, I am a former EO believer. I was involved with my local EO church (in Niš, Serbia) very actively for several years as an acolyte. I toured many monasteries, read a solid amount of EO theological books, and even aspired to become a priest. But, over time, EO teachings started making less and less sense in light of what I read in the Bible.
After years of thorough studying and firsthand experience, I came to a genuine conviction that the teachings of the EOC were not in line with Scripture. Funny thing is that at that time I did not even know who Evangelical Christians were, and what they taught (they are a tiny minority where I grew up). I was very happy when I “stumbled” across them, and realized that there were people out there who already taught what I suspected to be the truth. I never regretted the switch. Truth be told, as an EO I had no real relationship with the Lord. I got saved after I left the EOC, and my spiritual life has been blessed beyond measure ever since. I felt that a thick veil of darkness was lifted, and I finally started to understand the meaning of Scripture more and more. I’ve been joyfully serving the Lord since.
Naturally, I wanted to share this light with others. My sharing of the Gospel to the unreached caught the eye of some EO believers who happen to witness the act. Instead of applauding my effort to reach the lost, they would, in a very accusatory tone, ask: “why are you not Orthodox?!” Do keep in mind that this was in Serbia, a place where being non-EO many translate into “a Serbian culture hater”. Any time I tried to give a Scriptural explanation for my stance, the only sure answer coming my way was “Only the EOC has the right to interpret Scripture. Your opinion is irrelevant.” I dare even suggest that some were wishing they could treat heretics the good old way - the same way that the great Serbian saint Simeon (Stefan Nemanja) did – cut their tongues out and burn them at a stake (See a more thorough analysis of this topic here). Since I got nowhere with Scripture based arguments, I decided to try a different approach.
You will undoubtedly notice that my blog has no Scripture references. I regret that, but due to the previously mentioned experiences, I tried to bring my point across a different way - by revealing some actual EO teachings offensive and shocking not only to Bible believing Christians, but also to common sense.
My point was to ultimately show some of the glaring problems that EO doctrine has produced over the centuries. These are merely the tip of the iceberg, and the anti-Scriptural issues run much deeper.
My hope is that this will liberate the readers to critically evaluate what EO has to offer.
I would urge you to check out the following pages for a more thorough Scriptural analysis of EO:
www.orthodoxy-illuminated.weebly.com
www.gospelfororthodox.org
www.bereanbeacon.org/eastern-orthodox-articles.html
Blessing of our Lord Jesus Christ be upon you all.
In Christ,
Alex J.