There Is Need Of Only One Thing

One had a heart of service. One had a heart of worship. Both good, yet one is rebuked as tainted works. The other, the example of how we, too, should live. One chose the good, one chose the better.

"Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me." But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her" (Luke 10:38-42).

Before my entrance into the Orthodox Church I served in the establishment of two Charismatic Episcopal Churches (ICCEC) in two cities. I pitched in, full-fledged, with all fervor, willing to do all that was needed. Self-sacrifice, commitment to the hilt, in order to accomplish all that was needed. To serve my priest, my Bishop and the people for God was my joy, my duty my task. Set up our borrowed room which served as our Temple. Choose the music, set up the instruments. I would also drive once a month from Central Arkansas to North Texas to attend the ICCEC seminary. Two years of travel, study, tests, accountability, so that I may be deemed worthy for ordination. We purchased a building. With that came the cleaning, the construction of the hand-made pews with nails screws assembly and staining, the sleeping on the floor of the Temple so as to get an early start of the next day's temple doings, the laborious and physically challenging roofing of the rectory, all for the cause of the Church of Christ. I served at the altar, unworthily, fearfully, yet under the grace of my priest.

My heart grew barren as I saw the incompleteness of the brand of faith I was in, even more so when the man-made denomination began to unravel at the seams. My heart was one step ahead of the demise of the ICCEC as I sought God to lead me to the Church where His glory was fully expressed. I thought I had found that promised land and gradually became aware that the ICCEC was only a bridge to that land. The bridge was shaky, began to sway in the wind and ultimately collapsed. So is the way of any Christian group which is not under the umbrella of the One Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church-the Orthodox Church. Orthodox means- "right glory" or the place where God's glory dwells.

As I stepped into the Orthodox Church, that place where The Truth has been preserved for 2000 years, I brought my identity, my task-dependent soul, with me. I was no longer on a course for ordination. With the two years of seminary gone and the five years of church building finished, I set about what I knew to do...tasks. Surely such is honorable and the Church needed a good worker like me. Surely the church would recognize my servant's heart and be as convinced as I of my value. There was so much to do, so many tasks gone undone. So, "I pitched in, full-fledged with all fervor, willing to do all that was needed. Self-sacrifice, commitment to the hilt, in order to accomplish all that was needed. To serve my priest, my Bishop and the people of God was my joy, my duty, my task." First was the ushering, then came driving the youth to and from camps, then came the youth adviser position for SOYO, then came managing the bookstore. Why weren't more people helping? Why was so much being left undone?

"Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me."

If the joy of the Lord is my strength then why was I weak, growing tired and fainting from the faith?

But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her."

There is need of only one thing and the thing I had chosen did not give me strength. I was distracted by my many tasks. I entered the faith with the heart of Mary seeking peace and serenity, worshiping at the feet of Jesus, but I soon picked up the mantle of Martha. My intention was to remain quiet, out of sight, to not promote myself, so I, being deceived in my own intentions, set myself about the hidden tasks. But the heart of Martha eventually takes on the root of bitterness and judgment toward others. A war begins to rage within and conflict arises. In my pseudo-desire not promote myself I did the opposite.

The fact is, God does not need any of us to do anything for Him. He is totally capable. I wish I could creep out of my task-making as slowly as I had entered, but for me it is not possible. I must retreat as Christ did from the business, the clamor, the noise, the crowds. I must do it now. I must leave the public ministry at the Temple.

I must get back to the Orthodox way, the Mary way, the One Thing. Forgive me if I seem aloof, distracted, not as full of enthusiasm and willingness to help, but I must sit at the feet of the Lord to hear what He is saying. I must choose the better part for there is only need of one thing.

A Wise Saying

One of the great prophets in the scriptures said,

"If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all."

Oh wait...that was my Mother.

Where Everybody Knows Your Name

Where Everybody Knows Your Name
by Gary Portnoy and Judy Hart Angelo - Cheers Lyrics

Making your way in the world today takes everything you've got.
Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot.

Wouldn't you like to get away?

Sometimes you want to go

Where everybody knows your name,
and they're always glad you came.
You wanna be where you can see,
our troubles are all the same
You wanna be where everybody knows
Your name.

You wanna go where people know,
people are all the same,
You wanna go where everybody knows
your name.

Shouldn't the above lyrics be apropos to the Church instead of the local bar? Too often it is not. A former pastor of mine once said, "The reason some people don't go to church is because they have been." With the influx of evangelicals, pagans, atheists and seekers alike to the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church- The Orthodox Church, it is important to be aware of the non-Orthodox among us. At Coffee Hour, set down your coffee. Walk away from your familiar friends and family and learn the name of the stranger among you. You may be entertaining angels unaware but it is more likely you are securing the soul of one who, but for your love, may never pass your way again.

Do You Really Want To Know?

[UPDATE 1/16/2010: It has come to my attention that, since the first addition of this book, there have been at least eight new Editions. Some have noticed a progressive change in the belief system of Ware which is in keeping with the modern day Ecumenical Movement. In other words, what Ware believed 30 years ago has changed. This is of concern because, true Orthodoxy does not change. I have not validated this assertion, but am in the process of looking into the matter to see if this book can indeed be recommended in its current form. Proceed with caution.]

I recommend the book The Orthodox Church by Timothy Ware. The cover script reads: "A clear, detailed introduction to the Orthodox Church written for the non-Orthodox as well as for Orthodox Christians who wish to know more about their own traditions."

The back page reads: "Since its first publication thirty years ago, Timothy Ware's book has become established throughout the English-speaking world as the standard introduction to the Orthodox Church. Orthodoxy continues to be a subject of enormous interest among Western Christians, and the author believes that an understanding of its standpoint is necessary before Roman Catholic and Protestant Churches can be reunited."

By Penguin Books. Can be purchased through Light and Life Publishers or contact your local Orthodox Church bookstore.

Can't We All Just Get Along?

Our good friends at www.westernorthodox.blogspot.com should be ashamed of themselves! How dare they comment on the murderous spirit of the professing Roman Catholic Nancy Pelosi!? How dare they relate the results of her ideology of abortion on demand to another Roman Catholic who devalued human life-Adolph Hitler?! How dare they tell the truth?! Don't they know how offensive that might be? Can't we all just get along?

I have taken heat lately for my own post showing the mutual attitudes of Martin Luther and Hitler regarding Jews. I was told by an Orthodox brother that I was being mean spirited and un-loving to non-Orthodox. My brother even asked to have his links removed from my BLOG. He did not want to be associated with me. My response to Him and others who have a tainted idea that somehow there is no room for strong apologetics and frank discourse in speaking with non-orthodox is seen in my prior post Dismembering The Body.

Wow, that Adolph doesn't have many friends. Seems like no one wants to be associated with him and to even invoke his name is problematic. A valid point. A hard point. A true point. A needed point. Hitler embodies the depths of what evil can do. To use such as an example is appropriate. The massacre of Jews and the massacre of babies...Murder is murder, whether it is The Speaker of the House or the Founder of Protestantism.

Dismembering The Body

I recently received an e-mail from an Orthodox brother accusing me of having a bad spirit toward the non-orthodox. He used one of my recent posts as the example. He said I have compared the non-orthodox with Hitler. No, I compared Martin Luther with Hitler in that they both hated Jews and wished for their destruction. My brother, Are not Jews non-orthodox as well? Should we stand by and say nothing to the millions of Protestants who have no idea that the origin of their faith and their separation from the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church comes from this man's loins? What you see as an attack on the non-Orthodox I see as a battle for their very souls!

A reminder of the martyrs of the faith and of the saints of old who stood their ground and then shed their blood would be beneficial for my accusing brother. If it weren't for those who grabbed the reins of the Emperor as did Athanasius or fought the Arians as did the whole of the Church, there would be no Church.

Was Jesus mean spirited when He took a whip to the non-Orthodox moneychangers in the Temple? There is such a pervasive idea in this society that confrontation is somehow unspiritual. It is the "can't we all just get along" idea. Don't offend, by all means don't offend! The scripture says,

"It is impossible but that offenses will come."

A Prophet can walk into a room saying nothing and the controlling spirits and the tainted flesh of the people present will react strongly. Is the Prophet at fault? Or could it be that this is why God has gifted him so, to expose the dark inner workings of the evil one? Thank God for those who stir up trouble in this way. Thank God for our Bishops, Metropolitans and Priests who war for our souls. I assure you they have seemed unloving and unkind to the recipients of some of their confrontations.

God bless those with differing gifts who can speak a kind, quiet word void of seeming confrontation. I too, at often times, must do the same according to the leading of the discernment of Holy Spirit. A quiet word, a gentle spirit. There is a time for that but, dare I say, "a time for peace, AND a time for war"?

It would do my brother good to understand the nature of spiritual gifts and personalities in the body of Christ, to understand his own gifts by taking this test, to restudy the spiritual gifts and the body of Christ remembering that we are all gifted according to the grace of God. We have gifts differing from one another, yet part of the same body. These gifts by nature serve different purposes in the body. Does an Exhorter take the same approach as a Prophet? In layman's terms, the fact that I may approach a matter differently from my brother does not make my approach wrong. Neither would his approach be. It is different and thank God for that. God chose Peter. Impulsive, passionate, Peter who was quick to take up the sword. God chose Paul, a persecutor by vocation. He took these brash men and molded them, but in his molding did not remove the fire in their souls nor the tenacious courage to confront lies with truth for the salvation of the souls of men. They made some mad enough to kill them.

Will my accusing brother cut off his arm? Will the body be dismembered? God forbid. Christ, in his mercy uses us all to build his Kingdom. All are needed. Christ had a perfect balance of all gifts. The same hand that healed, held a whip. Both are needed. Both are justified. Both are Christ.

Years ago, I was amazed at the tenderness of Christian Radio Talk Show host Bob Larson in dealing with his call-in audience. He was able to minister to pagans, wiccans, satanists, by giving a gentle word. He had an ability to see to the core of their wounds and bring healing balm. As the years progressed, however, Bob began to show impatience by arguing and cutting the callers down, even cutting them off and hanging up on them. It was a striking change in tone and I hurt for his callers. I have always been aware of what happens when one so gifted in using of the Sword of the Spirit to divide to the very bone and marrow, begins swinging widely and indiscriminately. He wounds and draws the blood of the very ones he is sent to heal. I confess that I must guard against such for I too am a sinner and can in every way sin. God forbid that I sin at all, but God forbid that I sin particularly in that way.

I do commit to this friend and to all JTO readers to guard my heart and words. I also ask the JTO readers to commit to pray for me. For should the sword I yield be my own, then the battle is lost. Still, isn't it amazing that God uses and chooses any of us?

Nathan (Paul)

Orthodox Filmmaking

The Protestants have them...
The Catholics have them...
The Jews have them...
Even the Mormons have them...
Why don't the Orthodox have feature films?

Here we are Lord...Send us!

Years ago I wrote a mission statement to the Christian World with the challenge to reach the world through the art of film making and to support filmmakers just as we support missionaries. In the sovereignty of God, the challenge fell on deaf ears and very few at that. Holy Trinity knew that my Journey To Orthodoxy was to be kicked into high gear and that, by His grace, I would enter the One Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.

I have been Orthodox for four years. I have found myself on the Orthodox Circle Website seeking to find other like minded missionaries. I have been disappointed to find the predominant attitude of those claiming to be filmmakers on the site is that of "I thank thee oh God that I am not like that filmmaker over there...". As I shared my pro-life feature film project on the site I was confronted by my brothers with all the reasons why I would not be successful with such a venture. I really had not asked their opinion. I had asked for their prayers. I am an arrogant and sinful man, maybe that's why I recognized the arrogance and sinful way in which I was received as an Orthodox filmmaker. But, I am a big boy and realize that a few trite voices do not a vision thwart. In other words, all the self-anointed, self assured, arrogant, so-called filmmakers, don't matter.

It is a given that God has called us to take the gospel into all the world. Orthodoxy, particularity in America, has been slow in fulfilling that call. There are only about 500,000 Orthodox Christians in America. We are segmented into our jurisdictions, hunkered down for fear that less money will flow back to our preferred patriarchal sees. Thus does the state of evangelism on the North American continent suffer. Could that also be why Orthodox filmmakers are not making more of an impact? We too are segmented, holding tight what we consider ours? Should we not hold to the faith of our fathers which says,

"Possessing everything but owning nothing..."?

And, yet, I am encouraged. I have recently become acquainted with two Greek brothers who were raised Orthodox in the Greek jurisdiction. Again, in the sovereignty and timing of God, they find that they have journeyed back to their faith and found the spiritual well deeper than they had ever known. From the depths of the well they unexpectedly tasted the heart of the Great Commission in relation to filmmaking. I am encouraged because they get it. I am encouraged because...they are not filmmakers (yet). They are Christians. It seems I have more than once had to qualify the fact that I do not make Christian films. I am a Christian who makes films. Perhaps those of us who cling to our artistic, self-promoting arrogance, will be usurped by the likes of these Greek brothers, who have been entrusted with a pure heart and understanding as to why we are given any gift. "Adventiat Regnum Tuus", let "Thy Kingdom Come", not ours.

Master, if you will but say the word I will be healed. Master say the word. Master say the Word. God grant that those of us in the Orthodox faith who have been snatched from the mouth of the vile world of self-exhibition and self-promotion may be molded into instruments of Thy peace. Holy Trinity grant that those of us who have sought individual artistic achievement may become One with you, with the Church and with our brothers with whom we share this vision:

To reach the world through the art of film making and
to support filmmakers just as we support missionaries.

Now, in this time, let me put the trumpet to my lips and call on all existing and future Orthodox Filmmakers. I call on the Patriarchs, Metropolitans, Bishops, Priests, deacons, laymen of the One Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, to support with finances and prayers, your filmmaker missionaries who do reach the lost of this world through the most influential medium on the planet. But even if you do not, we will prevail for the angel of the Lord goes before us. What God has put together, no man can tear apart.

Nathan Lee Lewis-A Sinner
Executive Producer
Kingdom Films, Inc.

UPDATE: 1/16/2010 Kingdom Films has been dissolved as a corporation. Please see: www.nathanleelewis.com 

www.mosestheblack.com

A Worthy Quote On Sola Scriptura

Everything that is in the Bible is true
but not everything that is true is in the Bible.

What Sola Scriptura Looks Like

I recently received the Post below in the Comment section of my post: "What Sola Scriptura Sounds Like." As you can see below, this Church Of Christ Commenter's Comment is an extensive list of scriptures collected together in categories. The Commenter left no reason as to why he posted such a list in the Comment section or how it applied to my tongue-in-cheek visual aid illustrating the confusion and disunity that Sola Scriptura has wrought. I can only assume that the Commenter thought that if he just posted scripture passages that would be sufficient for clear discourse. If the scriptures are sufficient and need no interpretation, why do churches have teachers and preachers? I assume the Commenter' s church has teachers and preachers. Why don't churches just have readers of the scriptures? Why do Christians write books? I wonder if anyone from Commenter's denomination has written books. Has he read any of them? Why, if all we need is the scripture, did the founder of the Church of Christ write commentaries on the scripture giving his opinion of what they mean? Why is this necessary if the scriptures speak for themselves and are self-sufficient and need no point of reference from history or church tradition? The fact is, we all listen to others opine on the meaning of the scriptures. The question is what will be the source of your influence? The 2000 year old Apostolic Church, or the 100 year old model of self-proclaimed "Reformers."

Indeed the Commenter's list is a good visual of what Sola Scriptura looks like. The more you read the more questions you have:

Anonymous said...

IV. THE IMPORTANCE OF SCRIPTURE (THE TRUTH, THE WORD, THE GOSPEL,THE DOCTRINE, THE FAITH) SCRIPTURE: Paul wrote Timothy: “…and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.“ (2 Tim. 3:15-17). Peter wrote: “…knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Pet. 1:20,21). Although these Verses tell us how the Old Testament came, the same principle is true concerning the New Testament. Jesus promised: “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but what ever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.” (John 16:13-15). THE TRUTH: Concerning truth, John wrote: “For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. (John 1:17). Jesus said: “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:24). He further stated: “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32). He said: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6). In His great intercessory prayer, Jesus prayed: “Sanctify them by your truth. Your word is truth. (John 17:17) Paul in describing what love does said that it “rejoices in the truth.” (I Cor. 13:6). Paul asked: “O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth…” Gal. 3:1). “You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?” (Gal. 5:7). To the Thessalonians Paul wrote: “and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” (2 Thess. 2:10). John wrote in 2 John 4 “I rejoiced greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, as we received commandments from the Father.” In 3 John 4, John had this to say: “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” THE WORD: Regarding the Word of God Jesus said: “The seed is the Word of God.” (Luke 8:11). Jesus said: “the Words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” (John 6:63. “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My Words, has that which judges him-the Word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.” (John 12:48). Jesus prayed “for them also which shall believe on me through their Word.” (John 17:20) In the Book of Acts “the Word” is mentioned about 38 times. On the day of Pentecost “those who gladly received his Word were baptized.” (Acts 2:41). In Acts 8 those who were baptized (Vs. 12) were reported as “received the Word of God.” (Vs. 14).” “Those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the Word.” (Acts. 8:4). “The Word was considered so important that the Apostles could not “leave the Word of God and serve tables.” (Vs. 2), but gave themselves “continually to prayer and to the ministry of the Word.” (Vs. 4). After Cornelius and his household were baptized (Acts 10:48), Acts 11:1 states “that the Gentiles had also received the Word of God.” Those at Colosse were told to “Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” (Col.3:16). Timothy was told to “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth.” (2 Tim. 2:15). “Preach the Word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.” (2 Tim. 4:2). The writer of Hebrews stated: “For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Heb. 4:12). James told the 12 tribes scattered abroad to “receive with meekness the implanted Word, which is able to save your souls.” (James 1:21). THE GOSPEL: Some of the last words of the Lord Jesus Christ before His ascension were: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:15,16). Six times the “preaching of the gospel” is found in the Book of Acts. To the Romans Paul wrote: “So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.” (Rom. 1:15,16). Paul wrote to the Corinthians: “Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you unless you believed in vain.” (I Cor. 15:1,2). Paul wrote: “…and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thess. 1:7,8). THE DOCTRINE: “Now about the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and taught. And the Jews marveled, saying, ‘How does this man know letters, having never studied?’ Jesus answered them and said, “My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me.” (John 7:14-16). Whenever and wherever Jesus taught, people were astonished at His teaching (doctrine). (Matt. 7:28; 22:33; Mark 1:22;11:18; Lk. 4:32). Of the early converts we read: “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine…” (Acts 2:42). Paul urged the brethren at Rome to: “note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. (Rom 16:17). Paul urged Timothy: “remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine.” (I Tim. 1:3). After Paul foretold the great apostasy he told Timothy: “If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed.” (I Tim. 4:1-6). He urged Timothy to: “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.” (I Tim. 4:16). Titus was told: “But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine.” (Titus 2:1). He was further told: “In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good words; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility.” (2:7) THE FAITH: In many instances the word “faith” is preceded by “the” meaning the doctrine received, believed, and obeyed, Christian doctrine, the gospel, all that Christianity stands for: the system of religious (gospel) truth itself. Thus we read: “a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.” (Acts 6:7); Elymas sought “to turn the proconsul away from the faith.” (Acts 13:8). Paul “exhorting them to continue in the faith.” (Acts 14:22); and “churches were strengthened in the faith.” (Acts 16:5). To the Romans Paul spoke of “weak in the faith.” (Rom. 14:1). He told the Corinthians: “Watch, stand fast in the faith; be brave, be strong.” (I Cor. 16:13) and to “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith.” (2 Cor. 13:5). To the Galatians Paul said the churches in Judea “were hearing only ‘He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy.” (Gal. 1:23). To the Ephesians Paul wrote of coming “to the unity of the faith.” (Eph. 4:13). The Colossians were told to “continue in the faith.” (Col. 1:23). And to be “established in the faith.” (Col. 2:7). Paul wrote “To Timothy, a true son in the faith:” (I Tim. 1:2). He said that “the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith.” (I Tim. 4:1) Paul spoke of some who had “strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” (I Tim. 6:10). He spoke of “men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith.” (2 Tim. 3:8). Paul said, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Tim. 4:7). Jude in Verse 3 of his little epistle writes: “beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to earnestly contend for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.” What a wonderful array of References attesting to the importance of God’s Revelation to us. Is it any wonder that near the front of the Bible we read: “You shall not add to the word” nor “take from it.” (Deut. 4:2); Near the middle we find: “Do not add to His words” (Prov. 30:6); and near the end the warning “If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” (Rev. 22:18,19). Jesus warned: “And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” (Matt. 15:9). Paul admonished: “…that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written…” (I Cor. 4:6). He gave the stern warning: “But even if we or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.” (Gal. 1:8-9). John wrote: “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.” (2 John 9). Peter wrote: “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God.” (I Pet. 4:11). Concerning the Book John wrote, he said: “And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.” (John 20:30,31). “Your Word have I hidden in my heart, that I might Not sin against you.” (Ps. 119:11) “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light To my path.” (Ps. 119:105) [Anonymous] Nathan Lee Lewis- A Sinner said...

Anonymous, I posted your lengthy list of categorized Scriptures mainly because I think it illustrates the point of my post. Sola Scriptura, The Bible Alone, void of any interpretive context within the life and history of the Church, leaves interpretation of the Scripture up to the individual or group. There is no debate that every word of the Bible is true, however who gets to say what truth is? Are the scriptures you listed self-explanatory? If so then why are there 25,000 different denominations who explain them differently? Who gets to say what these scriptures mean? You? Me? Campbell or Stone? Your Elder board? Orthodox means "right teaching" or "right glory". It is true that "No one or no other religion has anything to offer comparable to that of Jesus Christ taught in His all sufficient Word, the New Testament. (II Tim. 3:16,17)" This is fully Orthodox. There is no name under heaven and earth by which we can be saved. This is the gospel. It is the faith of our fathers, that which was handed down to us by the Apostles and preserved for us in the Church for over 2000 years. For it is the Church which is the "pillar and ground of the truth" ( 1 Timothy 3:15) and the gates of hell has never and will never prevail against it. The question is: Does what you believe about the Scriptures match what the Church/Apostles/Early Church Fathers believed about them? If not, why not? You can say the Church left the faith and got into error and now your group has it right, say something, but can you ignore the fact that the Church that the Apostles established is still here after 2000 years? It is the Orthodox Church, and its unbroken and undivided existence is historically verifiable. Regarding interpretation of scripture: My Southern Baptist Pastor father used to give an illustration of how easy it is to make the scriptures say what you want them to. If you start with a presupposition then you can come to the desired conclusion. For instance, put these two scriptures together and what do they say?: 1. "And Judas went out and hang himself." 2. "Go thou and do likewise." Here we have come up with the scriptural basis for suicide. Though the individual scriptures you listed are without error, you had to decide in what context to use them and thus you compiled them to speak a doctrinal opinion, "The Doctrine", The Faith" etc. But what if you have used a scripture in a way and in a context that the Church as a whole has never used it? Let's start where you referenced: “You shall not add to the word” nor “take from it.” (Deut. 4:2) This is reference to the Laws of Moses for a particular nation not "The Bible". The same passage says "I have taught you Laws and customs(traditions)." Does that mean the Orthodox are Right in giving great attention to that which was handed down by "letter and word? There goes the foundation of Sola Scriptura- only the scriptures. Next: “And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.” (John 20:30,31). What? So, everything that is written is true, but not everything that is true is written! You see, a lot of things happened in the Church that wasn't recorded by the disciples, but they were recorded by their disciples and by the entire unified church-its called Holy Tradition and it's called the One, Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. This same church has preserved and interpreted scripture. So again, how much of what you believe about the scripture measures up with what they believed and preserved? How much of how you practice your faith matches up with how the church has always worshiped, your Scripture, Truth, Word, Gospel, Doctrine, Faith, as you have listed? What about the practical things? Why do you have the form of church government that you do? Why is the order of service the way it is? Does it really look like the Church of the Apostles? Who decided all of those things and when? It is true! “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light To my path.” (Ps. 119:105) But it is also true that the CHURCH is the pillar and foundation of that truth/word and eliminating her from the equation is to walk by a very dim light indeed.

Note To Commenter: Please forgive if I have misinterpreted your intent when you posted the list of scriptures. Void of any commentary I had to presume your intention. The fact remains that The Orthodox Church has preserved, taught, fought for, believed in, and die for the scriptures. History also shows that it was the Orthodox Church that gave you the Scriptures. If you so strongly believe in the inerrant Word of God, why can't you believe that the unified Church, who physically collected and preserved those inerrant scriptures, may have a pretty good idea how to interpret them? There was only one church for the first 1000 years! The scriptures are read and prayed word for word in the Orthodox Liturgy more than any other group on the planet and rightfully so for we are the One, Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. Come and see.

I Know What I Know What I Know...

It is unthinkable to think that what you think now will not be what you think in the future, especially where it comes to your doctrine, denomination or basic religious upbringing. But, alas, things change and we find we are not as knowledgeable as what we thought we were when we were thinking those thoughts. Ya think?