The Recent Swing to the Eastern Orthodox Religion

Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 
- 2 Timothy 3:5 (KJV)

According to recent statistics, the Eastern Orthodox Church has grown by 5% in Britain, increased seven fold in Ireland, with possibly an even higher conversion rate in America.

We live in interesting times, no doubt. In the last couple of years there also appears to be a number of Christians online falling into the trap of the Eastern Orthodox religion, which I find baffling for several reasons.

I spent time around the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate during my travels across the world, mainly in Athens, Patmos and Jerusalem. I stayed on Patmos Island for a number of weeks, where there was only the Orthodox church available to attend and nothing else.

One thing I will say, you soon realise when you're confined to a place where there are no evangelical believers, how much we should cherish the ability to connect with other like-minded souls if we can.

So, I tried to connect with folks there instead. And I hoped, since there was nothing else available, I would find some common ground.

The Orthodox church is quite dominating in the Eastern regions of Europe, and according to locals it can be fairly oppressive in certain respects. I soon learned it can be challenging to even set up another 'denomination' or congregation that doesn't fit with the status quo created by it, especially as the top priests can have a lot of influence in these places.

Militant EO groups online claim that joining their church is the only means of salvation

What I was to discover in these interactions, was this religion is almost identical to Catholicism. Almost, but not quite.

Many well meaning folks in these parts of the world saw this ancient church-state institution as something that was the only form and measure of Christianity, outside of which there is no salvation.

Yet, at the same time, many didn't appear to understand what salvation truly means. They did, however, have a staunch engrained fear of hell. With no real assurance they wouldn't go there.

It was incredibly sad to witness this, and reminded me of the verse..

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. - 1 John 4:18

It also reminded me of what I'd experienced in Rome, where I'd spent a long time amongst Roman Catholics, and witnessed a similar form of disillusionment.

The idea of a particular institution being the only church, outside of which there is no redemption, was the same. Except within Eastern Orthodoxy, there wasn't a Pope.

Yet so often adherents to both of them appeared to feel this distinct lack of what salvation truly means in the Bible, while struggling under a heavy bondage of the fear of hell.

It's the type of scenario that just makes you yearn to give people the hope found in the Gospel. Seemingly there wasn't enough explanation being given of how one is saved from this guilt and shame by Christ's sacrifice on the cross.

What I did find in common between both of these religions, was an emptiness of the heart of the Gospel.

Both of which claiming to be completely separate and at odds with each other, yet much of the same extra-biblical dogma is shared between the two. The Mary veneration, the hierarchical priesthood, the religious rituals, repetitive chanting, the mysticism, trinkets, the heavy yoke of sin and hell without a scriptural understanding of the grace of God, prayers to parted saints, transubstantiation, Baptismal regeneration, sacraments, confession to a priest, Apostolic succession, elevation of extra-biblical writings and traditions to the same level as Scripture.

Popular Orthodox Priest Bishop Mari Mari Emmanuel speaks on the topic of 'Divine Motherhood'

I want to re-iterate, there are many wonderful and sincere people in the Orthodox church, and its not the intention of this article to attack any individual, but instead to communicate that it's a mission field.

As with all of these articles and the content on this website, the goal is to reach people who are trapped in confusing philosophical systems and to help them find the Good News.

I truly sought to identify with Eastern Orthodox followers as a believer in Christ, but what I found was, the religion is essentially Rome lite. And many of those I've spoken to within Orthodoxy sadly are in much religious bondage and (as mentioned) don't really understand the the finished work of Christ. And often when I've sought to appeal to Bible verses in discussions, the conversation is switched to church fathers and non-inspired extra-biblical writings, rather than the inerrancy and guidance of Scripture.

Differences of opinion or cultural traditions aside, however, the Gospel is always the final answer. And if the Gospel is obscured, then we have to draw a line. We cannot compromise on the Gospel.

COMMENT FROM AN EX-ORTHODOX READER

"As someone who was raised and used to be Eastern Orthodox, I can confirm that the majority of everything written above is true. It's ironic, since "Orthodoxy" by its Greek definition means true/sound/righteous belief/faith. Which means that reformation theology based on the five solas is the true biblical orthodoxy rather than the heterodox one founded on mysticism and superstitions."

It's a concern that there are some folks who are now going headlong into this belief system and throwing out the reformation entirely. Whether that's as a result of disillusionment from years of false movements within Protestantism, church hurt, or the allure of certain traditions, whatever reason behind it, its caught the attention of a number of people.

It troubles me how much of a push there is against the reformation, but I find that quite telling in itself. Not that the reformation was perfect, of course, but it gave the common man the Word of God.

And the five solas.

Christ alone, grace alone, faith alone, scripture alone, for the glory of God alone.

False religions do not stand on these Biblical principles. In fact, Romanism is directly opposed to them.

False religion often endeavours to "clean the outside of the cup" without true regeneration of the heart. It attempts to change man from the outside in, instead of the Gospel message of the grace of God in Christ - which transforms people from the inside out.

False religions (in general) elevate mysticism and signs and wonders, which become an allure of subjective experiences, rather than a true pursuit of objective truth, as a Berean.

Speaking of signs and wonders, the Orthodox holy fire yearly 'miracle' in Jerusalem comes to mind. I spent a year or so living in and around Jerusalem and I remember this event very well. This is the draw for pilgrims on Orthodox Easter Eve, where thousands flock to the city to see (what is called) a 'miracle' occur. A priest would go into the Holy Sepulchre during this time and pilgrims would patiently wait for the fire to be 'supernaturally' lit, hidden away in the cube shaped tomb of Jesus, although the validity of this being the actual location of the tomb of Jesus is also debated. Then, after hours of waiting, the priest would emerge with the fire lit in his hand, and then proceed to spread the fire to all the pilgrims torches, claiming a miraculous occurrence had caused the fire to light it. This fire would then be spread across the world, with some adherents even using boats and planes to carry it to their places of residence, or so I was told.

Holy Fire Miracle in Jerusalem, photo: Benoit Soubeyran from Montpellier, France

Again, this focus on mystical signs, religious ritual and hierarchical priesthood, staunchly reminded me of what I'd experienced in Rome.

Amongst the Roman religious hierarchy there was also this similar over-arching focus on trinkets, religious prestige and mystical experiences, fostering a somewhat familiar atmosphere.

Yet, in the midst of this (undoubtedly zealous and committed) religiosity, there's barely any mention of anything truly Gospel related.

Any religion that elevates Mary above the position of a faithful human servant, confession of sins to priests, and regeneration by the waters of baptism or anything other than faith in Jesus Christ alone, doesn't fit well with upholding Christ as its sole intercessor or mediator.

Why else would we need to say prayers to departed saints? If Christ is enough, why go anywhere else for these things?

In this, aren't we in danger of detracting from the sole sufficiency of the cross? Or undermining the authority of the inspired Word of God, with unbiblical traditions of men and the elevation of human authority above its station?

Might we also begin to complicate salvation and add human effort to Justification?

With the doctrine of Justification merged so closely with Sanctification in Eastern Orthodox theology, salvation merited by our own works feels perilously close. We may begin to confuse concepts like Deification through God's divine energies (an EO Doctrine) with something that mistakes God's true plan of sanctification and glorification. We may end up preaching moralistic performance at the expense of our desperate need for God's (undeserved) mercy and grace.

But, in terms of the Gospel, all false religions ultimately have the same message.

I can work my way to God.

Whenever we start to believe we are justified by our works, or can “meet God half way” for justification. The Pharisee and the Tax Collector is a good place to start.

The true Gospel is simple. God comes down to lost and sinful man in Jesus Christ, and rescues us from our darkness.

Jesus is Emmanuel - which means - God with us.

Grace is unmerited favour. No human effort can be meritorious for salvation.

As Isaiah 64:6 portrays, human effort for righteousness is as a filthy rag.

We cannot earn eternal life, or work our way to heaven.

Only in Christ, regenerated by faith and made new on the inside, can any man do any outward work of righteousness that will be rewarded.

Only through Christ's imputed righteousness can any man be made clean and enter into God's presence.

The Bible makes this very clear.

And the Bible is the final authority.

Not tradition, or any modern hierarchical priesthood.

I exhort folks reading this who have been subtly drawn into these religious organisations that claim superior Apostolic Succession and authority above the Bible, that you come back to the cross of Christ and a simple Gospel faith taught by the Apostles of the New Testament.

Rejection of the Five Solas is part of the ecumenical agenda.

But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. - 2 Corinthians 11:3

But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. - Galatians 1:8

We hope to have an experienced guest on RISE Radio Podcast soon, to further discuss his concerns about the Eastern Orthodox Religion, from a Gospel perspective.