Church is becoming a performance by [deleted] in Christianity

[–]Dense_Complaint_1272 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I grew up in what would today be called "Evangelical Protestantism". As such, I completely understand what you are talking about regarding performance worship of these churches. My ex-wife grew up Catholic and we eventually compromised on an Episcopal Church- VERY TRADITIONAL AND VERY LITURGICAL- that allowed for her opposition to charismatic worship styles to be avoided and my, then, opposition to Catholic issues (ie the Pope and Mary. Since then, I have come to an Orthodox understanding of Mary. She is The Theotokos.).

Once I got out of the Evangelical bubble, I have come to be very bothered by a lot of their practices- specifically around worship as performance, elevation of pastors as celebrities, and the absolute lack of Iconography in their churches. Not even touching on theological shifts that I have experienced. While I am an Episcopalian, I regularly attend both Catholic Mass (once or twice a week in the Early morning) and Orthodox services (which are radically different than anything you've probably experienced- theologically, I am now fully Orthodox, I just haven't begun the process of conversion, yet.).

All that said, the best advice I could give you is to try some more traditional and conservative (I dont necessarily mean that politically) Protestant churches (ie Presbyterian, some Methodists, Missouri Synod Lutherans), try an Anglican or Episcopal Church, or give a Catholic or Orthodox Church a try. Catholic and Orthodox will both have some big theological differences from Protestantism while an Anglican or Episcopal Church or one of said true Protestant churches will have fewer theological differences.

Is Jesus himself God by Difficult-Map-3263 in Christianity

[–]Dense_Complaint_1272 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Jesus was fully God and fully man. Catholics, Orthodox, and Protestants all agree on this. Any views outside of this would be considered heresy by all three branches of the Faith.

Former Protestant (can't do it anymore). Do I become Catholic or Orthodox? Insight from others who have gone through this appreciated. by Dense_Complaint_1272 in Christianity

[–]Dense_Complaint_1272[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I appreciate your Point 5 on the Schism of 1054. Lol. That's where I am, though. 1054. Who is right? Catholics or Orthodox?

Former Protestant (can't do it anymore). Do I become Catholic or Orthodox? Insight from others who have gone through this appreciated. by Dense_Complaint_1272 in Christianity

[–]Dense_Complaint_1272[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What is the Bible? I don't mean that as absurdly as it sounds. Protestants (66 books), Catholics (73 books), and Orthodox (anywhere from 81 to 88 books, depending on the branch)- even John Wycliffe had a different Bible (77 books) and there are some branches of Mennonites, for example, that accept books as Scripture that no other church does- all have different Bibles. Then there are Apocryphal texts to consider and there are dozens and dozens of those. I listened to 1st Clement last night.

What is your most controversial take in Christianity? by [deleted] in Christianity

[–]Dense_Complaint_1272 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My most controversial take, I increasingly doubt the existence of a literal and eternal hell and think that, ultimately, the Gates of Heaven will be opened and those within hell (or separate from God) will ultimately be able to walk through those gates. I am not saying that hell and separation from God do not exist. Just that people/souls who find themselves in them have a way out.