Orthodox Christianity

Orthodox Christianity ^ | Richard Shaward

[don-o]

Hello and welcome to my site. My name is Richard Shaward and this site reflects my Christian journey.

What I share on this site are things regarding Christianity that have had a personal impact on me, articles that I like, articles that have shaped my theological thinking, and what I would like to share with others while on my Christian journey.

A little background about me. I was not raised a Christian. I became a Christian at age 20 in a small Dutch Reformed and Calvinistic denomination and those early years were formative and meaningful. I went to a Reformed College and received a B.R.E degree. Later I became went to a Baptist Seminary and received a MDiv degree. I became a Baptist Pastor and served in three Baptistic type Churches.During all these years my life worldview was mainly within a mindset of the Anti-Rome Protestant Reformation. There are many Protestant Christians who, like me, are/were often very ignorant of a broader deposit of Christianity outside of a post 16th century box. In sincere ignorance I never knew that Christianity was broader than that Western historical context. I stumbled upon Eastern Orthodoxy. My family entered the Orthodox Church and after five years. I desire to have an Evangelical Orthodox Christianity that has existed throughout all of the Church’s History since the book of Acts and yet as powerful of a witness today.

I do not want to be labeled ”Eastern Orthodox” but I desire to be an Orthodox Christian. The word “Orthodox” simply means “right glory” or “right belief,” and Orthodoxy therefore is the fullness of the Catholic (whole) Christian Faith that has once been delivered to God’s people (Jude 1:3). To be Orthodox is not just an exercise of the “head” but is also “right living.” It has been said that the “only heresy is a heresy of life” and it is our life that we will be held accountable for, not for what we may fallibly believe and may even get wrong in our continuing journey.

Thanks for visiting. I don’t allow many comments to show publicly with a post as most comments are invites to debate and arguing; and this site does not have debating as its purpose. It simply expresses my Christian journey, and that journey is thankfully always being tweaked.

But I invite all comments and I assure you I DO read them all. Again, thanks for visiting.

[RitaOK]

Yes, and you have proved my point, and since I go ballistic with the calvinist kamikaze evangelization methods, coupled with their colossal ignorance (fear of all things pre-circa 2012), I know any discussion will prove to be out of the question.

This means I am unable to enjoin the regurgitated food fight. Dang it. Let the jolly blood letting begin at Christmas time, between those with the stomach for it and relish it.

[metmom]

If I may intrude, I believe the poster may intend to ignore the Calvinist bullies, who regularly bait Catholic FReepers into title posts for discussion, overwhelm them with overlong material, and then use that as an excuse to practice their snark lines, to insult Mary, the Holy Father, and generally dash any hope for a discussion.

Did a *Calvinist bully* post THIS thread?

Who's baiting whom with comments of *There are many Protestant Christians who, like me, are/were often very ignorant* like the article has?

[don-o]

Romanists

This thread and the blog cited is about Orthodox Christianity. Do you have anything to add to that discussion?

[CynicalBear]

I couldn’t even make sense of his post so I didn’t bother to respond.

[CTrent1564]

don-o

I have used that site before and find it a very good site expressing what the Eastern Orthodox believe, and of course fully Catholic here.

Thanks for linking it here. It shows that there is an Church that is rooted in the Eastern Roman empire and that holds to the first 7 Councils totally has a faith in terms of Doctrine, Liturgy, justification, sacraments, ecclessiology that is 99% in agreement with Rome and Rome and the East have not been in full communion since the 11th century [date is usually 1054AD].

[metmom]

I had the same problem but did find that tidbit that could be addressed.

[fish hawk]

glad I’m still on your ping list. Aloha and Merry Christmas

[Mrs. Don-o]

???

Where does he say he "migrated to Rome" or "ended up with the RCC"? You didn't go to the site?

It looks like you caught sight of the word "C(c)atholic" and went straight for your Glock. Tsk! It's

Ready... Aim... Fire

--- and not t'other way around.

[DaveMSmith]

When I was a junior in high school, our jazz band toured communist Romania. Part of that trip was to stay with a peasant family for dinner up in the mountains. After dark, they took us all to their Eastern Orthodox Church - it seemed the government didn't hassle them too much about their faith. We could just tell... faith in God was the most important thing in their lives.

Their Church had no pews and there were ancient icons on the walls - the lighting at night inside was surreal and I had my first spiritual experience. We just prayed - no mass was said. The glow of that Church is still with me. One word that sticks in my mind is humility.

I became really involved with my own Church after that. Our doctrines differ in some areas but the basics are the same... most importantly the mystical spirituality that I practice today is identical. My in laws are Catholic and have taught me much - we never argue about faith. Just different paths and experiences we can share to enlighten each other.

This blogger has a great site - bookmarked!. It's always interesting to me to see the stages of spiritual development - this young man is gathering truths and forming his understanding. He's exercising his spiritual freedom to see what works in his life and makes sense. He's open to serious discussion and comments. Good stuff.

[HarleyD]

These threads are generally an intellectual exercise in futility, between brick walls with no resolution to their differences.

Actually to us Calvinists (especially to us 5 pointers) nothing is an exercise in futility. We are commanded to shared the gospel. It is the Holy Spirit that will enlighten if He so chooses. That is the reason we tend to be so persistent, knowing that it's the Holy Spirit who will penetrate that wall-not us. All we need to do is to be faithful to our calling. ;O)

[HarleyD]

There are several places throughout the Internet by Richard Shaward. I'm not going to give these out but one can simply Google his name. (Is this the same Baptist minister of 2006 who was going to study the early church fathers?) The man offers no doctrinal understanding, he makes no distinction between Orthodox and Calvinism, and in one place he says he use to be a more "lighter" Calvinist like R.C. Sproul (something I'm SURE Dr. Sproul would disagree with). On one of his websites he bashes Calvin on the Secret Providence of God in which Calvin states that it must have been God's will that man (and Satan) fall because He did nothing to prevent it. Personally, I think Calvin makes a lot of sense. But people seem to go crazy with even thinking such a thing.

Well, the reason man fell isn't much of a secret quite honestly. We fell because we don't want anyone-not even God-to tell us what we can and can't do. It's that simple. No matter how good it would be for us to do it or how bad it would be if we did it. And we still grieve and quench God today-even as Christians. It was that way with Adam. It was that way with Cain. And its been that way ever since. God wants (and expects) us to do what is perfect. We don't.

But I digress. The bottom line is it's obvious that Pastor Shaward does not have a clue about Reformed theology. He cannot clearly explain it nor can he say why Orthodoxy is correct. Instead we get the tired old argument about the Church fathers...whose beliefs the Church picks and choose which ones they want to believe and then say the Church choice is right because they picked those beliefs.

If Pastor Shaward wanted to truly believe the early Church fathers, he would have discovered that the Church (Orthodox or Roman) does not believe in what they wrote about the atonement. The Orthodox never believe the western view of the atonement and Rome has moved away from the the early fathers and aligned themselves with the eastern view. So much for believing the fathers. There goes "traditional values".

[johngrace]

Hi metmom- What are we a tagteam. If you do not know by now. There can not be lawyering now. You have a great day.

[xzins]

Actually to us Calvinists (especially to us 5 pointers) nothing is an exercise in futility. We are commanded to shared the gospel. It is the Holy Spirit that will enlighten if He so chooses. That is the reason we tend to be so persistent, knowing that it's the Holy Spirit who will penetrate that wall-not us. All we need to do is to be faithful to our calling. ;O)

That's actually true for us Arminian Calvinists as well. We think God gives the increase, and that we are just planting seeds. God opened Lydia's heart to hear the gospel.

[don-o]

I have no idea. I was interested in the essays that his site hosts and the ease of finding Orthodox writings related to various topics. Perhaps a fruitful discussion could be had by referring to the thoughts of multiple Orthodox writers that are available from the site.

[RitaOK]

I appreciate the decency of your snark free response and very much thank you for that. I appreciate it. Your reply has the dignity of relaying respect that I haven’t seen from calvinist posters. Ever. Stick around and you will see what I mean.

Until the other night, I held no animosity toward a protestant Calvinist. Now, I would avoid them with the same speed and vigor as I would Nancy Pelosi. Why? Because I lack the ability to go into an occassion for temptation for my own personal sin willingly. (It’s not acceptable, or nice for me want to reach through the key board and strangle strangers.) LOL! And then spend a lifetime repenting for going ballistic.

Some I have to pray for, but can not engage. I haven’t that gift. You all have fun.

Peace. & Thx. Rita

[CommerceComet]

Anyone who admits "I go ballistic with the calvinist kamikaze evangelization methods, coupled with their colossal ignorance" shouldn't call others "bullies." The difference between "going ballistic" and "being bullied" depends on which side of the discussion you're on.

It seems quite hypocritical to decry the lack of civil discussion and then launch into a mini-diatribe like you did.

[RitaOK]

I’m sure you are quite right.

I’m also sure I know kamikaze evangelization methods when I see them, but maybe I’ll work on my inference of what a bully does. For my own sake I hope it works. It seemed a word more acceptable than “Taliban Calvinists”. At the time. :)

[RitaOK]

I’m sure you are quite right.

I’m also sure I know kamikaze evangelization methods when I see them, but maybe I’ll work on my inference of what a “bully” does. For my own sake I hope it works. It seemed a word more acceptable than liars and “Taliban Calvinists”. At the time. :)

As for “diatribe”— that’s the definition of these unfriendly type threads isn’t it? Both sides are certain of their own eloquence and knowledge, while equally certain they are doing G-d’s work by enduring the other side’s “diatribe”. I just had never stumbled across such a thread before.

[RitaOK]

Sorry for the double post. I am going blind on this dang cell keyboard. .)

[one Lord one faith one baptism]

the problem many protestants have in general, and calvinists in particular is they think there was one Christian who lived between 95ad and the 16th century and that is St. Augustine.
these same people will attack the Catholic Church ( Latin and Greek ) as teaching baptismal regeneration, the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, apostolic succession, One Church, priests forgiving sins, etc. etc., never realizing that Augustine was a CATHOLIC BISHOP, IN COMMUNION WITH ROME and believed all of those doctrines i named above. BUT, since he also believed in predestination, he is A-OK in their minds.
Many Protestants can’t deal with the fact that they believe many novel doctrines, none of which were held by ANYONE before the 16th century.
let’s name one - baptismal regeneratiion. if there is one doctrine in the Scriptures that is clearer than any, it is baptism is for :
1. the remission of sins
2. receiving the Holy Spirit
3. being placed into the Body of Christ.
All the Church Fathers believed and taught this, the Nicene Creed is very clear the Catholic Church confesses ONE BAPTISM FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS.
Calvin rejected 15 centuries of Christian doctrine and turned baptism into a meaningless ceremony, much like various OT types and figures.
so of course the Calvinist must attack the Church, the fact that the Catholic Church is here for almost 2,000 years is a daily reminder to them that they are separate from the Apostolic Church, Latin or Greek.
so Catholics, whether you are Latin or Greek, rejoice and be glad when you are attacked for the sake of Christ, rejoice and be glad.
the problem the Catholics need to be in tribulation over is not inane comments from some Calvinist, it’s the fact we are experiencing the falling away predicted in the Scriptures which will occur right before the end of the world and the return of Jesus in the clouds.
Satan has indeed been loosed, and the Church is experiencing such a falling away, such apostasy, unknown in it’s 2,000 year history. the two witnesses are dead, and the world rejoices. this is the problem of the Catholic Church.

as an aside, to those offended about being accused of being ignorant.........anyone who reads the various threads where the Church is under assault, there is one constant:
the position of the Church is never accurately stated and most times, outright falsehoods are told, knowingly in the case of those who were once Catholic and know better or unknowingly by those who only hear or read what others say the Church teaches. for example, i wish i had a dollar for everytime i read on these threads that Catholics worship:
Mary
the saints
bread
statues
i’d be retired! LOL! Catholics try to correct these falsehoods, but it’s pointless, there are those that love lies more than the truth.
for those people, being accused of ignorance is very charitable actually.
as i say Catholics, be glad and rejoice!!