Why You Shouldn’t Join the Orthodox Church

“Orthodoxy remains the smallest of the major Christian traditions in the United States, representing roughly 1% of the population compared with about 40% Protestant and 20% Catholic. Historically, the Times noted, Orthodox pews were filled by immigrants from countries such as Ukraine and Greece, with many of their American-born children eventually joining other churches. Today, however, a more locally rooted Orthodox Christianity is emerging, in part due to young Americans discovering the faith through YouTube personalities and other online figures. Critics sometimes refer to these enthusiastic converts as “Orthobros.” (https://www.thenationalherald.com/rising-number-of-converts-to-orthodox-christianity-featured-in-the-new-york-times/) There is a rising trend within the last few years in so-called Christendom, where folks tossed to and fro with every wind of podcast and 30 second videos are falling for DEAD orthodox religion (Ephesians 4:14). I frankly don’t blame the disgruntlement of young bucks with modern evangelical Christianity (e.g. non-denominational, worldly, megachurches and mere lip-service worship where the preacher curses like a sailor), that faith reeks like portalet water in God’s nostrils (Jeremiah 23:32). However, as worldly trends usually go, folks tend to jump from one extreme to another; from the frying pan into the fire. The Greek Orthodox Church draws suckers in by its boast of historicity and faithfulness to “tradition”. There have been a few fundamentalist Baptists who are disgruntled with their local churches being “given to change” and have decided to join a system that DOESN’T change. Folks, tradition is fine as long as it’s found in the Book rightly divided, but don’t get all “traditional” for the sake of being “traditional” (Mark 7:13, 1 Peter 1:18-19, Isaiah 8:20). The purpose of this essay then, is to warn the blessed reader about some of the errors and arguments of the Greek Orthodox Church; and ALSO prove that they are NOT the original new testament church ordained of God. The Greek Orthodox Church contends that they are the original pattern of worship passed down from the apostles to the “Church Fathers” to the present day church. Note that the Roman Catholic Church also argues that they are the original church at Rome, to whom Paul wrote. Though the Holy Spirit exhorts the true saints to seek and tread the old paths (Jeremiah 6:16); the age and endurance of a system does NOT necessarily mean that it’s blessed of God. The doctrine of the Pharisees is OLDER than the doctrine of the new testament church, does that mean that we should become Pharisees? The Golden Calf tradition from Egypt is older than the religion of Moses; was Moses wrong to “flip out” over the religious orgy? Not on your life (Exodus 32:4; Deuteronomy 12:30; Matthew 16:6)! One of the core tenets of Orthodox religion is the notion that oral tradition is EQUAL to WRITTEN SCRIPTURE, and their main proof texts are 2 Timothy 2:2 and 2 Thessalonians 2:15. It is also their contention that the cause for all the various strands of Christianity is thanks to the doctrine of Scripture Alone. The fact of the matter is, the cause of ALL the various strands of Christianity is because God SAID it would happen (1 Timothy 4:1; 1 Corinthians 11:19). The argument is that we need to appeal to the Church Fathers because they lived closer to the time of the apostles. Granted, in the days of the apostles, the New Testament collection of scripture was IN progress, so Christians clave to what they HEARD from the apostles. Some of the spiritual gifts exercised during the time of the apostles included “the word of knowledge”, “the word of wisdom”, and “prophecy” for the edification of the church. Folks prophesied in part, and they knew in part, as the Holy Spirit dealt with them (1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 14:5 c/w 13:10). When that which is PERFECT was come, that which was in part was done away (James 1:25 c/w Psalm 19:7). The whole point here is, the so-called “oral traditions” were ONLY a temporary measure until the written apostolic tradition was complete! To make things worse for the oral traditionalists, the “patriarch” Peter made it clear that he and the other apostles had a MORE SURE WORD of prophecy than “oral tradition”; so we’d better be good boys and listen (2 Peter 1:19-21)! The saints that Peter had ministered to were already aware of what he preached; yet he thought it needful to WRITE to them (2 Peter 3:1-2). Every oral tradition that is needful for a perfect walk with Christ was preserved in SCRIPTURE; UNLESS you also wanted to know what Paul liked to eat after church (I HEARD it was gyro with pork belly according to St. Taziki!) As we shall see, the oral traditions taught by the “Church Fathers” contradict what Timothy heard from Paul and thereby exposes this religion as a fraud! Oral Tradition #1: The Eucharist (celebrated also by the Roman Catholics). “Following the teachings of both Scripture and Tradition, the Orthodox Church believes that Christ is truly present with His people in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. The Eucharistic gifts of bread and wine become for us His Body and His Blood. We affirm that these Holy Gifts are transfigured into the first fruits of the New Creation in which ultimately God will be "all in all".” (https://www.goarch.org/-/the-holy-eucharist) The main scripture appealed to in order to teach religious CANNIBALISM (consuming the literal flesh and blood of Jesus) is found in John 6:53-56. The funny thing about this tradition is that these traditionalists are just as confused about what Christ said as were the Jews that heard those words. The whole point in Jesus’ hard saying here is found in v57: just as Christ lived by the Father, so we live by Christ. Living the Christian life is EVIDENCE of eternal life (v54)! IF Jesus really did ordain the Eucharist, why didn’t the apostles whip out their forks and knives to carve up the Lord while he was doing the supper with them (Matthew 26:26-27)? When Jesus was supping with the apostles, he didn’t cut himself with knives and lancets like a Baal boy to feed the apostles (1 Kings 18:28). It is obvious that the communion wine and broken unleavened bread is a SHOWING of the Lord’s death until his return: REMEMBRANCE, NOT CARNAL REENACTMENT (1 Corinthians 11:25-26)! The “patriarch” Paul insists that it is IMPOSSIBLE to crucify the Son of God afresh and put him to an open shame (Hebrews 6:4-6). Oral Tradition #2: Iconography “An icon is a holy image which is the distinctive art form of the Orthodox Church. An icon may be a painting on wood or canvas, a mosaic, or a fresco. Occupying a very prominent place in Orthodox worship and theology, icons depict Christ our Lord, Mary the Theotokos, the saints and angels. They may also portray events from the Scriptures or the history of the Church, such as the Birth of Christ, the Resurrection, or Pentecost. The icon is not simply decorative, inspirational, or educational. Most importantly, it signifies the presence of the person depicted. The icon is like a window linking heaven and earth. When we worship, we do so as part of the Church which includes the living and the departed. We never lose contact with those who are with the Lord in glory. This belief is expressed every time one venerates an icon or places a candle before it.” (https://www.goarch.org/-/house-of-god-inside-an-orthodox-church) The reader will NOTE that an icon is used as a PART of worship in the Orthodox church. A practice that is PLAINLY squashed by the black and white commandment of the Lord can HARDLY be called “holy” (Exodus 20:4-5). Some Orthodox apologists will argue that iconography is no more condemned by God than having a picture of your mama and saying, “that’s my mama!” In that second commandment, we read against “…the likeness of any thing that is in heaven above…” (Hmm, kind of like Christ and saints gone to glory?) and “…that is in the earth beneath” (Hmm, like the birth of Christ, the resurrection, and Pentecost?), AND might I add, things from the pit of hell like the notion of Mary as Theotokos (“Mother of God”)? It is written that the law is our SCHOOLMASTER to bring us to Christ (Galatians 3:24): if the Orthobros got an “F” in “No Graven Images” class, how can they call themselves Christians? With that said, the REAL church fathers wrote that it is the CHURCH as the SPIRITUAL KINGDOM OF GOD that is the “window” (more like the ladder – Genesis 28:12) linking heaven and earth (Matthew 16:18-19 c/w Ephesians 3:8-11). Imagine calling a modified element of the creation a “window” linking heaven and earth, when the elements shall melt with a fervent heat in the end (2 Peter 3:10)! One more thing before we move on, it is argued that veneration and worship are two different concepts. The Oxford English Dictionary says otherwise: Veneration: A feeling of deep respect and reverence directed towards a person or thing. Worship: To honour or revere as a supernatural being or power, or as a holy thing; to regard or approach with veneration; to adore with appropriate acts, rites, or ceremonies. “We’re not WORSHIPING MARY, we’re simply venerating her!” Well, I’m not drinking water, I’m merely gulping it down…you can call it an oral tradition! The point is, don’t get suckered by slick rhetoric; and it’s SLICK because these traditionalists depend on your ignorance to keep the religious machine running (Romans 10:3). True worship of the TRUE Lord Jesus Christ is based on our FAITH (NOT sight) in his wholesome WORDS preserved in scripture (1 Timothy 6:3; Psalm 12:6-7; 2 Timothy 3:15-16; Romans 10:17; 2 Corinthians 5:7). It is a very problematic trend in modern society to see folks depend more on images and pictures for communication than WORDS (Numbers 33:52). Why, this problem exists even in Christian fundamentalist circles with Chick Tracts (“Chick Tracts get read!”): communicating a works-gospel in creative comics (Jeremiah 23:32)! People would much rather read a cute little comic book (or watch a film) than a well-written gospel presentation. If you want to read a secular book that will get you under conviction, you ought to read Neil Postman’s work, Amusing Ourselves to Death. Oral Tradition #3: Church Hierarchy “The Orthodox Christian hierarchy from bottom to top: priests, bishops, and the Patriarch. The bishops have different names such as Patriarch, Catholcos. Metropolitan, Archbishop and Exarch. These names generally reflect seniority, experience and honors. Otherwise they are regarded as equal and their functions are the same. Bishops in council have authority in doctrine and policy. Synods of bishops elect the patriarch, archbishops or metropolitans. Each church is divided into diocese governed by a bishop. The diocese are divided into parishes. A priest, or sometimes several priests, assisted by deacons, are in charge of each parish.” (https://europe.factsanddetails.com/article/entry-781.html). The hierarchy of the new testament local church is as follows: Christ – bishop – congregation of kings and priests. “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.” (Colossians 1:18). The context tells us the pronoun refers to Christ as the Head, and because he is the Head of the local church, he has the preeminence (superior to everyone else). “This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.” (1 Timothy 3:1). A bishop is simply a spiritual superintendent and overseer who rules the church through the Bible. He’s got nothing to do with electing a higher office in a synod. Bishops without the need of a council (assembly of elders) have authority in doctrine and policy, but NOT outside the Book. That’s right, no pretended religious ruler outside of the confines of that particular local church can tell the pastor what to do. In other words, the word of God is the dictator of the church, the bishop is just the appointed messenger OF that word (Psalm 138:2). He is elected by the congregation based NOT on the ability to make people shout “AMEN” or the beauty of a pretty smile; but on God’s qualifications set forth in the Book (1 Timothy 3:1-11; Titus 1:5-9). With this short description of the office aside, it is to be pointed out that those who cry about there being an appointed ruler in the church are simply sour because THEY can’t call the shots (2 Peter 2:10). “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:” (1 Peter 2:9). The apostle here is addressing members of a new testament church body. The priesthood is not a formal church office, it is a description of what saints are, offering up themselves in assembly as well as praise to the Head (Romans 12:1). Church members enjoy the privilege of being seated with Jesus Christ in heaven, ruling and reigning with him, as a reward of their sufferings for righteousness (Ephesians 2:6; Romans 8:17; 2 Timothy 2:12). “And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. (Acts 6:1-4). When comparing scripture with scripture, we can conclude that this record concerns the business of a deacon. They are NOT assistant rulers with the pastor, their function is simply to care for widows INDEED (1 Timothy 5:3-5). Furthermore, a man is appointed to this office only at the counsel of the pastor. The day that true widows are too much on the Preacher’s plate is the day the church ought to call upon a deacon. This business is the only other church office ordained by God, which qualifications can be found in 1 Timothy 3:7-13. The new testament church is able to thrive and be perfected WITHOUT the help of a deacon (Ephesians 4:11-12). O Mr. Ambition, why is thy countenance fallen?! If thou believest the Book, thou doest well. In this essay we have studied a few of the major errors in the Greek Orthodox system. There is so much more that can be examined and reproved (e.g. observance of days, months, times and years – Galatians 4:9-10, and hardcore works salvation), but the content here should suffice. With what has been addressed in this article, it’s hoped that we have proven FROM the scripture that the traditions of the Orthodox church do NOT compliment but rather make the word of God of none effect. So what is the solution to your need for a historic, traditional church? Find an independent Baptist-type church (don’t need the name “BAPTIST” to be Baptist) that does NOT trace its lineage back to Rome or the 4th century, but all the way back to the upper room in Jerusalem in Acts 2. Furthermore, sit under the ministry of a biblically-ordained pastor that still preaches eternal salvation by free grace imparted by just that, grace, NOT any act of obedience. Join the fellowship of a congregation that still SINGS (NOT plays) doctrinally-rich hymns (Ephesians 5:19), believes in effectual, fervent prayer (James 5:16), observes the ordinance of the NON-Eucharistic communion (1 Corinthians 11:25-26), and receives humbled repenters through the ordinance of baptism by immersion (Acts 2:38). The emphasis is NOT on rituals and ordinances, but on being fed by the glory-grilled rib-eye steak, home fries, bread n’ butter of the King James Bible (Jeremiah 3:15). Ayy-men.