July 03, 2003

How Not to Convert the Orthodox

Karl has a great piece about a Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary approved doctoral project on how to convert the Orthodox to Protestantism, particularly in Russia.

I have been looking through the document in question and I am truly amazed at how a doctoral student could refer to so many Orthodox sources and yet be complete clueless about what we Orthodox believe. Where he does grasp what we believe, he juxtaposes it to modern evangelical theological innovations, but often ends up comparing apples to oranges.

For example, he contrasts the Evangelical view that grace is unmerited and free with the Orthodox view that grace is received through the Sacraments. He admits that Orthodox theologians deny grace is merited, but says this doesn't matter because Orthodox "person on the street" often comprehends it as something else. It appears to me that this "person on the street" has two qualities: first, he is a man, and second, he is made of straw. If you get my meaning...

Enough for now. These whole idea of converting Orthodox Christians is something I've been wanted to rant about for a while, but for now, click over to Karl's blog if you want more on this.

Posted by david at July 3, 2003 12:47 PM
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