So, What's With The Beard and Long Hair?

In the midst of my Journey To Orthodoxy, I find my self being redefined. In a word: I am changing. In another word: It is theosis. Inclinations of the heart are difficult to express in words, but simply put, I have become inclined not to shave nor trim my beard or hair. It is an abandonment of sorts, of the image that I have traditionally presented to the world around me. My thought was that by allowing my facial hair and head hair to grow that the self that I promoted would be hidden to the extent that I would be less likely to depend on it. Ironically, I have found that the long term influence of the western culture has provoked those who have known the clean cut, professional Nathan, to take notice of me-my opposite desire and intent. I have experienced some strong reactions from a few. A recent visit with my extended family in Arkansas was met with honest questions unsolicited advise and some insults. "So why'd you grow the beard?" "If you cut your hair and beard you might be able to get a better job. You look awful. Awful!" A prophet is not welcomed in his own town, especially a former Baptist turned Orthodox. If my entertaining strange doctrines and practices were not enough, now my physical appearance is being altered! I'm sure that my visit provided my family with a welcomed supply of food for the fodder but being in my fourth year of Orthodoxy, I am somewhat accustomed to my family's consternation of my new faith.

I was not accustomed, however, nor did I expect a particular reaction by a parishioner at church. She has been Orthodox many years and is a leader in the church. I became sorrowfully aware by her actions that tenure of Orthodoxy doesn't guarantee a complete or untainted understanding of the faith and traditions we hold. The parishioner's reaction to me was stunning and degrading. She approached me as I was talking to our godly priest emeritus, who is also bearded, yanked on my beard and made reference to us trying to "look like Santa Claus." Being that this was the first full beard I have ever grown, it was a new feeling for me. I don't ever remember feeling so violated. I was speechless as was the priest. What is one to say to such disrespect? By God's grace one does not say what one might. A man's beard is a sign of God's glory on him just as is a woman hair. The woman's ignorant act was akin to me yanking on her hair. I am able to allow for the fact that this woman is a convert to Orthodoxy and is part of a predominately convert Church, thus there are a few holes in her Orthodoxy.

Orthodoxy is not western. Orthodoxy does not and should not automatically conform to the culture around it. Only that which needs to conform is conformed. The culture of long hair and beards for men is not one of them. It is canon. It has purpose. It has history. It has reason. It is holy. It is a sign of the glory of God on his people. It is this that the woman yanked on. It is this that others despise when they criticise, make light of or reject as an oddity, the beard or long hair of an Orthodox man. Such a look for Orthodox men has been written about, confirmed and practiced by the church as a whole and is relevant in any culture. It would benefit all Orthodox people and non-orthodox family members of those on their Journey To Orthodoxy, to understand the sanctity of this practice so as to show due respect to this element of what the Church practices. Anyone on a JTO is already wrought with undiscovered paths, disciplines, rejection and difficult soul wrenching. The absence of soul wrenching provoked by insensitive observers would be a welcomed thing.

JTO Reader Update

As we head into the Christmas season 2008 JTO would like to express sincere thanks to all who have passed this way this year. From all across the world, the JTO forum allows us to learn, grow, discuss, repent, and just simply spend time. Our common thread is our desire for truth and He is the way the truth and the life. Thanks for continuing to join me on my Journey To Orthodoxy and for allowing me to join you on yours. I look forward to many days ahead and please take time to use the "comment" feature at the bottom of each article. I want to hear your reflections. Here are the latest stats of our visitors from across the world:

Current Country Totals From 22 Nov 2008 to 12 Dec 2008

United States (US) 296
Canada (CA) 34
United Kingdom (GB) 11
Germany (DE) 5
Israel (IL) 4
Bulgaria (BG) 4
Greece (GR) 4
Australia (AU) 4
Sweden (SE) 3
Spain (ES) 2
South Africa (ZA) 2
Russian Federation (RU) 1
India (IN) 1
Malaysia (MY) 1
Netherlands (NL)1

God Bless All,
Nathan Lee Lewis, JTO

Happy Thanksgiving

May the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob richly bless all of creation all around the world on this day of Thanksgiving-2008.
Nathan Lee Lewis
JTO

Five day JTO reader total:

United States (US) 78
Canada (CA) 8
Germany (DE) 2
Russian Federation (RU) 1
United Kingdom (GB) 1
Bulgaria (BG) 1
Spain (ES) 1
Greece (GR) 1
India (IN) 1

So You Want To Be A Prophet?

And He himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. Eph. 4:11

And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then worker of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. 1 Corinthians 12:28

So you want to be a prophet?

"The mind is a deceitfully wicked thing. Who can know it?" 

The battle of the mind to know the thoughts of God and to adequately discern them is a treacherous and torturous endeavor. Some dreams and visions come with instant understanding as to their meaning and implications. Those which are foretelling of events, however, are not always fully understood as to their timing. I learned early and painfully not to presume upon what I don't know, especially on the timing or fulfillment of a certain prophecy. Some visions or dreams I have received have sat for decades with still no understanding as to their timing or meaning. Those early years of discovery have built in me an intense sense of caution. One pivotal moment of understanding came to me in a time of prayer. The Lord gave me instant and intuitive understanding that He did not reveal all things to me in order for me to speak them nor was it my responsibility to implement what I saw nor to move a people to respond appropriately. It was a word of relief. The word of the Lord is His and he will vindicate.

A prophet sees into the heavens and glimpses the mysteries of God. Some of the things he sees are made clear and are for the Kingdom of God in this time. God has something to say so he speaks through a human instrument.

There are no new doctrines, truths or revelations.

There are only specific and general directions to individuals groups or nations to accomplish His will and counter the devises of the enemy. Not all the prophet sees is to be spoken. He must learn the difference. He eventually finds that "secret place" of God. The mind and workings of God are a fearful thing and one must learn quickly what an awesome thing it is that He entrusts such to men and women. In my times of faithlessness and burdens of life I have, shamefully, wished and even pleaded with God to remove this gift of prophecy from me.

"Lord may I please have the gifts of Helps or Service?"

To know the sins of man, the impending peril of a people and to often have a word of knowledge containing specific details of a sinful or foreboding situation, is burdensome.

"Lord why do you show me these things?"

In these questions I have sinned. Christ Himself "learned through the things He suffered".

He has shown me the same grace and patience.

The preparation of a prophet is long and difficult. He must have no leaven. He must be pure and undefiled. He must have died to self. He must hate his own life and be willing to lose it for the sake of Christ. The preparation alone is enough for some to wish for death. If death doesn't come, they run and hide in a cave. In this they sin. Such is the strength of the human will and the sinful flesh. It does not want to submit to a life of depravity, conflict, threats and self-sacrifice as is the life of a prophet. Prophets are not particularly popular or well liked. They are maligned, stoned, driven off and murdered. They are born for a purpose and into the time for which God would have them speak.

"As for the Prophets, whether they be bishops, priests, professors, monastics, or lay people, our only prayer can be that they are inspired by God and not themselves (not to mention other possible spirits), and that we be ready to hear and obey their voice when they are sent to proclaim God's Word to us." Very Reverend Thomas Hopko

The prophet is peculiar and sometimes does apparently peculiar things. They fast when it is not called for. They give peculiar names to their children. They pierce their ears or wear strange clothes or let their hair grow to lengths that are culturally out of sync. They will set out on a hike without knowing their destination. They are not easily satisfied by the regular amenities of life. They are not given to fulfilling others expectations. Their life is a display of signs and symbols and it is a rare thing to be understood by others. They will never be accused of being normal. It is profoundly true for the prophet that

"In Him we live and move and have our being."

Outside of that there is no life and there is certain untimely death.

I cringe, and in fact, am angered by those who would use prophetic gifts to posture and present themselves to others for notoriety or to gain stature as a spokesman for God. They clamor for the acclaim of man and indeed that is all they get. They cause spiritual destruction and a falling away. They give vague predictions and personal insights and when elements of what they say come true they are empowered to say, "See I predicted that." They ignore the many elements of their words that were false or heretical and their followers hold them to no account.

A prophet of God gathers no followers.

They devise new escape-clause-doctrines that ignore the Biblical mandate which says, if a prophet speaks that which does not come to pass or is heretical then he is a false prophet and must be put to death.

One inclination of a purified prophet of God is that he often hopes for a way that He will not have to fulfill what God is asking of him.

"Father if it be thy will let this cup pass from me."

He may pray and reason with God in that secret place but he eventually says,

"Not my will but thine be done."

The prophet knows full well that to stand against dominions and powers, to point a finger at a King or a Bishop, is done so at his own physical peril. Recipients of a prophet's word will either repent or react. Kings have swords and Bishops have edicts, but the prophet knows that God has the power over his eternal destiny. Thus a prophet fears what no man can do to him.

"For me to live is Christ and to die is gain."

And death does indeed come, sooner or later, as God wills. So you still want to be a prophet?

Truth Is Often Hidden In "Plane" Sight

Come out of your comfort zone. Truth is often hidden from the masses and only those with eyes to see can see.

..."narrow is the gate and a hard road that leads to life,
and only a few find it."

Lies and deceptions are often so blatant that they who perpetrate them wave them before your eyes and attempt to redefine what you are seeing. For example: Did you think terrorists flying airplanes brought down the twin towers on 9-11?

What else in your belief system have you readily accepted as fact? Are you failing to see where the church is because of what you have been told is true? Are you just accepting what has been waved in your face since birth? Don't start with your conclusions and attempt to defend them. Start at the original source and work forward. "To be deep in history is to cease to be protestant"

"Ask Questions. Be Informed."

"For you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free."

Does "Christian Music" Have A Soul?

I was shopping with one of my five daughters today. While in the car she put in one of her CD's proclaiming it to be a "Christian Rock Band". I told her there was no such thing as a Christian Rock Band.

"Does a Rock Band have a soul? Does it die and go to heaven? There are Christians who are in a band, but that does not make what they do Christian."

I spent many years as a worship leader. In the Evangelical Charismatic world, that entails leading a band with all the frills, musicians, singers, songwriters, rehearsals, sets, audiences, recordings and the like. It is quite a world and there is money to be made. Living in Nashville, I have had a chance to see the spent lives of various Christan artist/entertainers who couldn't quite make it in the business. I also see the successful artists around town in the restaurants and such. The Christian music and the country music world go hand in hand here. There is no difference. People are people. There may be music artists who are Christians but being a musician does not make you a Christian no matter what kind of music you perform. It especially does not qualify anyone to be idolized. Be careful whom you idolize, look up to or put on a pedestal, lest your faith be dashed when you see the real essence of their character.

Bishop Antoun To Visit Tennessee

JTO welcomes the visit of His Grace Bishop Antoun of the Self Ruled Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America. His Grace will spend time at Saint Ignatius Orthodox Church in Franklin, Tennessee. He will celebrate the liturgy and be honored at a luncheon to follow on November 16th, 2008. All are invited to come and meet with our pastor and receive his blessing and words of wisdom.

Short Biography of Bishop Antoun

Born: Damascus, Syria, January 17, 1931.
Educated:

• St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, Crestwood, NY (M.Div., 1962)

Ordained:

• Deacon, October 28, 1951, by Patriarch Alexander III
• Priest, May 29, 1960, by Metropolitan Antony Bashir
• Archimandrite, August 3, 1969, by Metropolitan Philip Saliba
• Bishop, January 9, 1983, by Metropolitan Philip Saliba

Ministry:

• Diocesan Bishop, Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America (Jan. 9, 1983- 2004 ); assigned by Metropolitan Philip to Engwood Chancery.
• Diocesan Bishop of Miami and the Southeast (2004- present): assigned by Metropolitan PHILIP to the Englewood Chancery.
• For more: Click HERE
  

Pray For President-Elect Barack Obama

I invite all JTO readers to pray for President-Elect Barack Obama as he leads the United States in this most difficult time in our history. I echo President-Elect Obama's words to those who did not support him during the election. He will be the president of all Americans. Choose prayer rather than criticism and allow our sovereign God to work his will and way in this nation. Prophesy if you must and criticize if it is warranted, but remember, the Kingdom of God will prevail and all nations and leaders will one day bow before the throne of God. God is still in control and Christ will come again.

The Commenter's Commentary

I received another wonderful scriptural exposition from "The Commenter", my Church of Christ brother. He once again lists scriptures of which there is no contest. The subject was The Church. The scriptures he lists are pure and unadulterated. I find it interesting that The Commenter suggests the use of Strong's Concordance to assist the Bible Student (Who is Mr. Strong and from where does he get his authority?) I must assume that The Commenter is giving credence to the idea that individuals alone cannot adequately interpret the scriptures without some foundational source. The question remains and The Commenter has yet to address it, what is your source of biblical interpretation? Who gets to say what truth is- what do the scriptures mean and can they be adequately interpreted without at least giving the Early Church Fathers a vote? If Mr. Strong, other modern commentaries and Commenter's own interpretations are valid sources for understanding faith and doctrine, would not more so the Early Church Fathers who knew and walked with the Apostles? The Commenter includes his own commentary with the scriptures. At first glance I can find no fault in his scriptural commentary, however, he errs in his summation and shows a lack of understanding of history when he says,

"I feel sure that as the Holy Spirit guided the Apostles into all truth, we have all that we need to know about His church. These wonderful blessings can only be had by going back, back, back…, back behind the Reformation movement-back behind Romanism, back behind orthodoxism, or any other “ism” that gets in the way, all the way back to the day of Pentecost, which was the inauguration of New Testament Christianity. "

Orthodoxy IS that Church birthed out of Pentecost. Commenter's suggestion that one can go "back behind Orthodoxism" suggests erroneously that Orthodoxy was a later invention. The use of the word Orthodox in relation to the Church of the Apostles came about early in the Church to distinguish between the Church of the Apostles and heretics.

"It was in the early centuries of the Church's existence, while fighting to safeguard the true doctrines of Christ, that the Christian Church officially took on the name "Orthodox." The word Orthodox literally means "straight teaching" or "straight worship," being derived from two Greek words: orthos, "straight," and doxa, "teaching" or "worship."

Here is Commenter's treatment on The Church. It is worth reading. Read it or scroll past for final thought.

"The Church (the Kingdom of Heaven, The Body of Christ, The House of God, The Bride of Christ) The word “church” is found in the New Testament about 77 times. The word “churches” appears about 37 times. “The church” is found about 66 times and “The churches” about 19 times. The word “church” may have reference to the entire Body of Christ or a congregation in a particular location. “The churches” may have reference to several congregations in a particular area or among a particular people. “My church” designates belonging to Christ as does “churches of Christ”. “Church of God” or “churches of God” shows ownership. Anyone can use Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, or pages 227 and 228 of The Englishman’s Greek Concordance of the New Testament by George V. Wigram and arrive at these conclusions for himself and have a most profitable study. Matthew 16:18-20 is a wonderful introductory paragraph for this study. In those Verses Jesus makes several promises and the Passage I want to use is Verse 18: “And I also say to you that you are Peter (petros, rock), and on this rock (petra) I will build my church, and the gates of Hadeas shall not prevail against it.” In that promise Jesus would (future) be the builder; Jesus would build His (ownership) church; Jesus would build His church (singular); The foundation would be the petra, the rock-bed truth Peter had confessed, and the gates of Hades would not prevail against it. All of this is found in one verse, Verse 18, and in all references to the church throughout the New Testament none will be in conflict with this wonderful verse.Not long before Jesus ascended back to the Father we read: “Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them.” (Matt. 28:16). These are eleven of the twelve Jesus chose as His Apostles. (Matt. 10:2-4). These men had accompanied the Lord Jesus beginning from the baptism of John. (acts 1:21,22). They had heard His doctrine, witnessed His miracles, behalf His benevolence, and seen His mistreatment. Although after His arrest “the disciples forsook Him and fled.” (Matt. 26:56), they were never the same after His empty tomb.While the eleven disciples were at the mountain “Jesus came and spoke to them saying ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and, lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age’”. (Matt. 28:18-20) He who believes and is baptized will be saved.” (Mark 16:16). Jesus also said “that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” (Luke 24:47)The record of the apostles doing what Christ commanded them to do is found in the Book of Acts. Peter stood up with the eleven and began preaching the Gospel. (Acts 2:14-35). Peter continued, “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the Apostles, ’Men and brethren, what shall we do?’ Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and youo shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.’ (Acts 2:36-39). And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, ’Be saved from this perverse generation.’ Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine, and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.’ (Acts 2:40-42). ’praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:47).” Thus Christ’s church (the church of Christ) had its beginning. And what a simple procedure the Lord used in building His church. The Gospel was preached, those who believed it repented and were baptized for the remission of their sins. They were saved and “the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:47) The Book of Acts is a history of the beginning of the church as the Body of Christ as a whole and of the church in Jerusalem in particular. Also, Acts is a history of the beginning of several congregations in different locations and among different people. Acts 5:11 states that “great fear came upon all the church.” Acts 8:1 says “at that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.” “As for Saul, he made havoc of the church.” (Acts 8:3). “Therefore, those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the Word.” (Acts 8:4) In Acts 9:31 Luke, the historian writes: “Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.” For a whole year Barnabas and Saul “assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.” (Acts 11:26). “Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. (Acts 12:5) When Barnabas and Saul “had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.” (Acts 14:23). Concerning Paul’s activities Luke records, “From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church.” (Acts 20:17).Ephesians 5:25 is a powerful reminder of Christ’s love for the church: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her.” And to those elders at Ephesus Paul admonished “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.” (Acts 20:28). Paul tells us that God “put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” (Eph. 1:22,23). And he reminds us that the church is to make known the manifold wisdom of God. (Eph. 3:10) Paul exclaims “to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.” (Eph. 3:21). Paul proclaims that “Christ is head of the church; and He is the savior of the body.” (Eph. 5:23), and that “the church is subject to Christ.” (Eph. 5:24).In all the times “the church” is mentioned nothing is said or no questions are asked about “which church” or “what faith”, etc., do the writers have in mind. The reason being that was well understood. All that was written leaves no doubt as to who built the church, who purchased it and with what, who the head is, what the church is, and any other question that could come up. It was just “the church”. How clear and simple and easily understood the Lord arranged it. Satan’s primary objective was to muddy the waters and keep it that way. As Paul was writing to the Ephesians he said: “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” (Eph. 4:4-6). Peter wrote, “as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue.” (2 Peter 1:3). I feel sure that as the Holy Spirit guided the Apostles into all truth, we have all that we need to know about His church. These wonderful blessings can only be had by going back, back, back…, back behind the Reformation movement-back behind Romanism, back behind orthodoxism, or any other “ism” that gets in the way, all the way back to the day of Pentecost, which was the inauguration of New Testament Christianity. No wonder Jesus said, “Because narrow is the gate and difficult (confined) is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matt. 7:14). But since Jesus is “the way” (John 14:6) by following Him I plan to make it. That is my Journey. The Commenter"

For The Commenter, all of my Church of Christ friends and others who give sincere honor to the Word of God and to His Church I encourage you to not be ignorant of history by ignoring 2000 years of those who have faithfully held and interpret the scriptures and died to defend the faith of the Apostles. Please take time to study the following three articles. Warning: They may ruin your religion.

Which Came First-The Church or the New Testament? Click Here

Finding The New Testament Church Click Here

Scripture and Tradition Click Here

Note To Self

[From the words of St. Simeon the New Theologian]

"Unless you are humbled, brother, and unless you are under submission, afflicted and dishonored; unless you are despised and slandered; unless you accept to become as one of those who are obscure, foolish, base and down-trodden; unless you are shunned by all men and regarded as one of those who are reprehensible and begging in the squares and byways of the city, how, do tell me, can you become alienated from your own will?

God has commanded that we endure all thee things that come our way for a testing and for experience, not for testing and experience but for catharsis of our souls. In spite of this fact, we do not desired to suffer these things, but, instead, the reluctance to endure them lives within us which is the earthly mind of the flesh.

How then can we become dead? In no way. If we do not become dead to the world and to the things of the world, how can we live the life which is hidden in Christ, not having become dead for God? How can we behold God dwelling within us as light, as St. Symeon* said (*St. Symeon was his namesake and his spiritual father) ? In no way, brother. Let no one deceive you.

But you are saying that it is foolish to follow the blessed Symeon and it is shameful to imitate his actions? Then imitate Christ our God. Endure sufferings yourself for your own salvation, as he suffered for you. As you know, they called him a demonized, a deceiver, a glutton and a winebibber. They said: "You have a demon" (John 7:20), and again: "Behold a man gluttonous, and winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners" (Matt. 11:19)

These things even our blessed father, St. Symeon, heard in our behalf or rather for us. Furthermore you can hear again concerning the Lord being bound and dragged as a murder and criminal and standing before Pilate as one who is base, receiving a slap from the servant, being thrown into prison and being taken out of prison, led by the soldiers who bear sticks and then handed over by the people to Pilate who said: "Take ye him and crucify him" (John 19:6).

Understand how he was rendered in their midst- He Who is above all the Heavens and Who holds all things in His hand: scourged, flogged, maligned, abused and led to the praetorium-He Who is beyond the sight of all creation and even of the Seraphim, undressed and tied to a post, receiving forty full stripes, indicating the death sentence.

Then, what? He was dressed in a purple mantle scoffingly and He was struck on the head and asked, "Who is he that struck you?" He was crowned with thorns, bowed down and scoffed, spat at and did hear what sarcastically was uttered? "Behold the King of the Jews" (Mark 15:26). He was dressed again with his own garments, tied with a rope by the neck and led to death, and then carrying the burden of His own cross, when He came to the place where the cross was set, He was deserted only by His friends and disciples; after this, He was again divested of His garments, lifted up with His hands and feet and nailed to the cross by the soldiers and left to hang; He was offered gall to drink and was pierced with a lance and blasphemed by a thief, scoffed at and heard: "He who destroys the temple and three days raises it up again, save yourself and come down from the cross," and again, "If you are the Son of God (Matt. 27:40), come down from the cross and we will believe in you".

Thus after suffering these things, and having given thanks, he prayed for those who put him to death, and gave up his soul into the hands of His Father."

Note to self: All is fine if all is not fine.

Two Reasons I Became Orthodox

I left this...




To find this...

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?

Thanks, but NO THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have been inundated with e-mail forwards to almost all of my e-mail addresses. It seems the Evangelicals make best use of this impersonal method of communication. I try to take time to personally answer these forwards, especially the ones that are most provoking. I think it shocks the senders-they certainly don't expect to hear back from anyone when they push that forward button. Out of sight out of mind- no responsibility or accountability. My message to them...Quit it if you don't want to hear it! Here is my latest retort to someone who thought I might be inspired by anything Rick Warren says:

Dear Friend,

The Rick Warren update forwarded to my KFI Business account is an unfortunate substitute for a personal message. I have no interest in what he says or "thinks" (a word he uses often). I do care about what you think. I met Rick when he was a skinny newly graduated religious diatribe at California Baptist College. My cousin also is on his staff. Warren has already admitted the hollowness of his own ministry and church. It is regretful he couldn't have learned that in 1974 when I met him. Could have saved he and thousands of people from entering the mire of the western evangelical church which is a far cry from the original church of the Apostles-The Orthodox Church. He has sold a lot of books though. Rick Warren is a flash in the evangelical pan. I would rather quote men like St. Ignatius who lived and walked personally with the Apostles and Christ himself. But I'd be willing to bet Rick's followers have never heard of St Ignatius, Iranaeus, Justin Martyr, Clement of Rome or any of the Early Church Fathers who were too busy getting torn apart by lions to negotiate a book deal. They would have very little in common doctrinally or method-wise.

Please forgive my strong response, I seem to get more than my share of forwarded evangelical tripe. You are not the first one who has had both barrels let loose on them for not thinking through to whom they are communicating. I am not an evangelical, protestant or western Christian. I am part of the One, Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church- Eastern Orthodox of Antioch, where we were first called Christians. The undivided, unbroken, original Church for over 2000 years. It took me 50 years to wade through the Warrenesque noise and find the faith of our fathers. I think I'll stay. When it gets too noisy for you I invite you to join me. www.journeytoorthodoxy.blogspot.com