/christian/ - Christian Discussion and Fellowship

They are dominantly ethnic clubs. The exotic appeal of the different tradition will fade.

You need to start with theology and work your way to church affiliation from there.

What are your issues with Protestantism? You've shared that you were part of two 20th century movements which have historically had some heterodox flavors to them.

>>839848

I have no problem with Protestantism or with Protestants (also because I have been involved with Protestants since I was a child), but I disagree with some aspects and I can't feel very comfortable in this environment. I disagree with some terms, such as the sola scriptura, the "Judeo-Christian tradition" that is ridiculously propagated in this medium and the social changes that contradict the word that is infiltrating the church. I miss something more traditional and serious, that really treats God with due respect. Sometimes I think that I would get along with the Lutheran Church, but I believe that the doctrine that really enchanted me and seems to me to be coherent is the Orthodox one, but I don't know how to pursue it.

>>839850

Whether or not it is a neolib/neocon term, this is the mentality of most of the Protestant churches I know, they treat Jews as if they are inferior only to the Holy Trinity, it is even comical. As for sola scriptura, I see that it is irrational, as there are writings of apostolic fathers, books in the Septuagint and oral traditions that are totally disregarded by Protestants, not to mention that the Catholic Church defined what was or was not canon. If it were to remove books from the Bible, Luther would not be able to say what is and what is not canonical, he simply took what he thought was not contradictory and kept it in the Holy Scripture.

When I speak in traditional, I say that I would like something that is closer to the Christian doctrines of the early church, it may simply be my preference, but I feel more comfortable with something that I know is pure and simple.

I may have said some nonsense, but everything I say is from experience and conversations with other Christians. Well, I'm not a Theology graduate and I'm not here to argue whether the Protestant or Catholic or Orthodox church is the right one. If you are with Christ, you are right. I only speak for individual beliefs and equally individual desires.

>>839851

All of these are strawmen or stereotypes

>>839856

I can't see the strawman fallacy, but as for stereotypes it was similar. I have lived in this environment since I was a child, although it seems stereotyped, I can confirm this about the Pentecostal environment(which really fits the stereotype, at least where I live), and the Adventists on a smaller scale. But as I said, I'm not here to defend or attack, I just want to know the tips of the orthodox anons. But if Protestants / Catholics want to convince me that I should stay in the Protestant church or go to the Catholic one, I am open discussion.

>>839851

Let me know if you find this.

My church would be without any RC influence. Its probably non existent.

Basically no creeds or catechisms AFTER the apostolic one in the Council of Jerusalem.

Any man made tradition that is borne out of scripture has no weight. Only the by listening and following Word of God and being Christ-like is what is required.

Let me know if you find this.

>>839846

>Syrian and Lebanese immigrants

>There were also many elderly people

>best branch for someone of Western origin

The Orthodox Church is the Church established by Christ. Either you believe that or you don't. If you believe that, nothing will prevent you from wanting to dwell within it. If elderly people and immigrants distract your attention from God while in Church, would your attention be any better in a "western" one? If you truly desire to seek God, than seek Him.

>>839859

Obviously there is Catholic influence in almost any existing church today, this is not a problem. My biggest problem with Catholicism is the Pope, although I recognize that there have been great ones during the history of the church.

I am not very knowledgeable about the different Christian councils, but I believe in the Septuagint, in the writings of the apostolic parents and in oral traditions.

I believe that the words of men, as long as they are inspired by Christ, have value. But in any case, I believe that everyone according to their knowledge and obedience to God will be judged. And yes, it is essential to seek to be like Christ.

>>839860

My brother, you may have expressed it wrongly. My problem is not with who attends the church, since everyone is equal before God. I mean, this is very new to me, so I would just like to know from the Orthodox brothers how the process of integration in the church works. I am in some way a hypocrite and I will not deny this, so I would like to understand these different issues better. In the end I'm just looking for a church to attend, I love God and I try to follow him. I identified with orthodox doctrines and really wanted to become an active member in some church in order to be able to do good works in an organized way in a community.

>>839864

You could go around an see the various Orthodox parishes around you and find one that fits you the most. Most often this isn't feasible because unless you live in a busy metropolitan area Orthodox parishes can be very spread out. I suggest going with what ever one is the closest, because it will make it so that you are more apt to attend more regularly while going through catechism. When you are finished with baptism and chrismation, then you will be Orthodox and can go and be welcomed anywhere. First you just need to become Orthodox. By the time you finish catechism, you might find that you have grown a relationship with your future spiritual father and godparents that you will not even desire to leave. You will feel as one with the parish despite it being whatever jurisdiction it is. But if you don't feel that attachment afterwards then you could leave and look around. Finish the intro process first. :-)

What matters is doctrine. And if you truly believe that the Orthodox Church is the one true Church founded by Christ Himself, then you surely know that the priest is not just the leader of a social/ ethnic club. The laymen's faith is and dedication to the Lord shouldn't be a priority. Just go to liturgy, confess, take communion once you're allowed to and follow the Lord.

I understand how you may feel. Personally I'm born, raised and still live in Romania. I go to Church and I do not integrate there at all… for now.

Follow Christ and all the rest will be added to you

>>839857

Yeah and I don't hope to derail your thread.

There are zionists in every group. There are worse zionists in the Protestant sphere, like hagee, and there are better anti Protestants and better hierarchies that don't endorse zionism.

Sola scriptura doesn't mean a rejection of extrabiblical texts or traditions, it means seeing them as less authoritative.

Luther and all the rest of the reformers did not remove books.

The Catholic Church did not decide what was canon, God decided what was canon. The Roman Catholic church is an institution who reached an understanding of the canon, and when they canonized the apocrypha in the counter reformation they got it wrong.

There is no earlier church than the new testament church which is the point of sola scriptura. The reformation was following in the Erasmus tradition ad fontes "to the source". More radical examples of this would be the brethren, Moravian, or anabaptist traditions.

All Patriarchates follow the same creed, it's the same church.

>>839848

>lemme tell you what you actually believe

This board, I swear most posts are like yours.

>>839901

Did you quote the wrong post?

>>839902

I guess you don't realize what you do.

You first said the interest in orthodoxy is merely fetishism, while OP is asking if different jurisdictions have different doctrines.

>>839907

The only guess I have is that you're mistaking exotic for erotic because I really have no idea what you're talking about

>>839908

I don't think think I'm mistaken. The erotic is by definitipn towards something distinct or different, but this is not in OP's theme.

>>839916

I am telling you that you're mistaken