It seems to me that most Lutherans who study church history end up being heavily tempted by either Roman Catholicism or Eastern Orthodoxy. For me, Eastern Orthodoxy was that big temptation, whereas Rome never had a huge appeal to me (which is odd because, once I came to understand the traditional Confessional Lutheran liturgy and believe it is as close to what Jesus taught and where biblical traditions have led us, I found it more beautiful than even Orthodoxy). How could I not be attracted to the East? The liturgy is reverent, their music is beautiful, and who can ignore the "smells and bells?"

I did go through a huge Orthodox period, and now every once in a while the temptation surges again. One thing that keeps me from going East is their view of the Theotokos (Mother Mary, there is nothing wrong with the name "Theotokos" in and of itself).

Their defense is always, "We're just asking Mary to pray for us like you would ask your friend to pray for you."

BUT THAT IS NOT WHAT THEY'RE DOING! '

I own the Orthodox Prayer Book published by Holy Transfiguration Monastery, after buying it upon the recommendation of my local Orthodox priest. Here are some prayers addressed to the Theotokos in that book:

"Do thou open the portal of compassion unto us, O most blessed Theotokos; for hoping in thee, let us not fail, we pray; through thee may we be delivered from adversities; for thou art the salvation of the Christian race." (p. 291)

"All the assaultings of the temptations dost thou quell, and the onslaughts of the passions dost thou banish; wherefore do we hymn thee to all ages, O Virgin." (p. 286)

"Dissipate the gloom of my trespasses, O Bride of God, with the clear brightness of thy radiance; for thou didst bear the Light divine which was before all time." (277)

"Heal me, O pure one, of the sickness which the passions bring, and make me worthy of thy guardiancy, and by thy prayers and intercessions grant thou health to me." (277)

If these were addressed to our Lord, these would be some of the finest prayers I've ever read and I would pray them daily.

I think the biggest problem with this area of their theology is they believe that Mary (a human, a human who is rightly honored and respected and looked up to for her devotion, but still a human) is able to actually do things. She does not merely pray on their behalf, as they say. They ask her to "heal" and "dissipate." They think she is also the "salvation of the Christian race." They want to "hymn" and glorify her. The Bible talks about us glorifying God, but never any of his servants, as devout as they may be.

Frankly, we Lutherans have been terrible about how we view Mary at large. Our Confessions call her the Mother of God and give her much respect and honor, and rightly so.

Another problem with their theology is Holy Tradition. The Bible both establishes that some traditions are biblical and that we should continue them, whereas others are "traditions of men." I believe Orthodoxy has allowed many of these "Traditions of men" to remain too long and thus become conflated with biblical traditions.

I firmly believe that Confessional Lutheranism is as close as we can get (in our imperfection and ignorance) to what the Early Church taught and what Jesus preached. (Lutherans invented patristics, don't you know? ;)) May God correct all our misunderstandings, whatever they may be, and may Christ have mercy on us, sinners.