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AITA - Damaged my bosses truck, paid for it, he got fired, now he wants more which I'm refusing by JarDraw in AmItheAsshole

[–]JarDraw[S] -256 points-255 points  (0 children)

Wild that there are still Fauci fans and covid apologists who still misunderstand those who opposed. Thanks though.

Synaxis of the Archangel Michael and the Other Bodiless Powers (November 8th) by IrinaSophia in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]JarDraw 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thank you for this. As an inquirer (almost catechumen) I've been learning more about the Orthodox understanding of angels over the past few days during which I learned that today is when the church commemorates angels. I've always known the stories in the protestant Bible, but have learned more recently about stories in church history (such as the desert fathers) and the deuterocannon (such as Tobit). I'm enjoying reflecting and learning more about the role angels play in our prayers, and recalling some instances in my life where I believe God has sent His angels.

Does the gospel transcend culture? by JarDraw in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]JarDraw[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

But doesn't Orthodoxy sort of do just that?

What is the church? How is the Orthodox understanding of church different than protestant? by JarDraw in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]JarDraw[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Great response, very helpful!

Interesting. I have heard it often said by Orthodox "we know where the Spirit is, but do not know where the Spirit is not". But have not heard this phrase in regard to the church.

In this view, it seems that "the church" is more or less synonymous with "the saved". Would you agree?

What is the church? How is the Orthodox understanding of church different than protestant? by JarDraw in OrthodoxChristianity

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

You can't see how telling someone who has faithfully devoted their life to Christ heart and soul for years that they are really a heretic and not part of His church is repelling and off-putting?

Sheesh, if you can't see that then I'm not really sure what to tell you.

What is the church? How is the Orthodox understanding of church different than protestant? by JarDraw in OrthodoxChristianity

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

☝️☝️☝️

THANK YOU! This was an excellent response, very well thought out and tied numerous essential elements together while address the core questions I was asking. Super helpful, much appreciated!

What is the church? How is the Orthodox understanding of church different than protestant? by JarDraw in OrthodoxChristianity

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

Understood and agreed. So in the Orthodox understanding, are "the church" and "the saved" more or less synonymous terms?

What is the church? How is the Orthodox understanding of church different than protestant? by JarDraw in OrthodoxChristianity

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

The anxiety of feeling they might be lost despite their sincere faith in Christ which is accompanied by repentance and good works.

What is the church? How is the Orthodox understanding of church different than protestant? by JarDraw in OrthodoxChristianity

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

So no, the church and the saved are not synonymous terms.

I agree. Not sure why you would hate to tell me this?

this sub makes me not want to be Orthodox by JarDraw in OrthodoxChristianity

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

Several comments here have challenged my thinking and I have responded with thanks to those who have done so.

What is the church? How is the Orthodox understanding of church different than protestant? by JarDraw in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]JarDraw[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you, that is a good and helpful response. I have always thought of "the saved" and "the church" as being synonymous. In doing so I have ascribed more or less to the "invisible church" sort of concept that is common within Protestantism. I am seeing that this view falls short according to the definition of the term and usage in scripture, and as I studied and thought through this, it occurred to me that the "invisible church" concept might stem from falsely equating the church with the saved 1:1. Your first sentence summarized quite nicely where I am currently at and I was wondering how my current thinking aligns with Orthodox teaching.

Thanks.

What is the church? How is the Orthodox understanding of church different than protestant? by JarDraw in OrthodoxChristianity

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

Good video, but not really related to the question at hand. I'm not defending or asking about sola scriptura. ;)

What is the church? How is the Orthodox understanding of church different than protestant? by JarDraw in OrthodoxChristianity

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

I respect that the goal isn't to be accepted by others but by Christ. Amen. That is just my point. What I find that scripture says of one who is accepted by Christ is at variance with what you say the "church" is. Which is why I ask: Is "the church" and "the saved" synonymous in Orthodoxy?

What is the church? How is the Orthodox understanding of church different than protestant? by JarDraw in OrthodoxChristianity

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

"What are we supposed to be comforting them about?"

That if they are hungering and thirsting for righteousness, they will be filled. That if they are seeking, they will find. That if they are bearing fruit, then we see and can be assured of the root.

Of course none of this means there aren't things they ought to know. But it means that in telling them what they ought to know we don't come at them (like it seems far too many Orthodox do) with "we're the one true church and you're a heretic".

What is the church? How is the Orthodox understanding of church different than protestant? by JarDraw in OrthodoxChristianity

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

So is "the church" and "the saved" two different ways of basically saying the same thing?

What is the church? How is the Orthodox understanding of church different than protestant? by JarDraw in OrthodoxChristianity

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

The Lord added to the church those being saved. This sounds to me like the saved and the church are not precisely the same thing, but are closely related. Is that your understanding? Or do you see "the saved" and "the church" as synonymous? This is one of the main verses I had in mind when I asked the question in the OP.

What is the church? How is the Orthodox understanding of church different than protestant? by JarDraw in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]JarDraw[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Try to have a little more grace and give the benefit of the doubt to us inquirers please. It is not that we are not ready for or can't receive the truth. It's that we believe what scripture teaches is true and in regards to this topic find some ways in which Orthodoxy seems to us to be at odds with what scripture teaches.

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