www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Iranian Imam Receives Christ

I think you're correct Zenovia. I have long maintained that historic Protestantism, which was orthodox in most of what it held to be true, really is no longer amongst us. What is left is a shell in which some true believers may be found. I think Protestantism as a distinct entity, if you will, is dead. What we have now are those who are either apostate (or at least on the short route to it) and a new thing called Evangelicalism, the child of Protestantism yes, but not Protestantism proper. I am not prepared to defend this hypothesis on this board so I only present it as my opinion. Yet, I have been involved in several of the 'traditional' Protestant groups and have found them to be typically close minded and narrow; not posessing the vibrancy or spirituality their forebears had.

Ray:

On thinking about your post further, I really dont think we are that far apart. My feelings on the matter are such that I prefer to include as many as possible under the pale of Christian. Obvious digressions and departures from the Faith should be seen as such, nevertheless, charity should rule the day. I realize this may conflict with traditional attitudes toward non Catholics but the times they are a changin'. Truth itself cannot change but our attitudes must. The Church is in a precarious position, the Messianic Promise of Indefectibility notwithstanding. I just dont see how we can intend to survive as a Faith and Religion if we take the narrow positions our fathers took. Now is a time of reconciliation. And this reconciliation is necessary to our very survival. Catholics, Orthodox and Protestants alike can give lucid, historically and theologically based reasons for their positions but all these things matter not a whit if we refuse to acknowledge our brother. Jesus saved his harshest words for the pharisees who refused to acknowledge others as their spiritual kinsmen. I think this is a lesson for us today. We are falling apart at the seams by heresy, immorality, schism, dissention and a host of other ills. Rather than spreading on the balm of Giliad we are picking at the scabs. Rather than binding up wounds we are shooting our fallen. Jesus said "anyone who says to his *brother* raca, is answerable to the sanhedrin, but anyone who says "You FOOL!" is in danger of hellfire." Let us be very cautious about what we say concerning the spiritual condition of others. We will be judged based on our words.

Jason

Zenovia,

I have been told that when Moslems convert they begin to notice things like flowers and other things of natural beauty for the first time. Interesting.

Jason

The usage of Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifier is used to be politically correct by devoiding the traditional formula of masculine names. If a priest or pastor allows PC to influence his theology I can't see that his intentions are acceptable.

Jason

Another problem with the "Creator, Redeemer, Sanctifier" formula is that it can tend towards the heresy of modalism, which basically denies the doctrine of the Trinity. Also, while we may identify the Father with creation, the Son and the Holy Spirit participate in the work of creation, just as both the Father and the Holy Spirit participate with the Son in the work of redemption, and both the Father and the Son participate with the Holy Spirit in the work of sanctification. Finally, we use "Father, Son, and Holy Spirit" as the Trinitarian formula because it is the name given to us in Holy Scripture by Jesus himself.

Ryan

I never said anything condemning about Pat Robertson I actually complimented him and yeah I do put him on a lesser level than Catholcism which is my faith, protestantism has its merits which I pointede out to Mexican among them the sacrament of baptism if done correctly and the beleif in the holy scrptures and the triune God, like I said one is better off being Evangelical than Muslim, I did rightly object to the form of pentacostalism tha focuses on the name it claim it materialism but did not put Robertson in that grouping.
And yes Evangelicals posesss much fruiful gifts but I feel they are more fully expressed once converted to the apostolic faith, as even you would admit the evangelical who converts to Orthodoxy or Catholcism brings a lot to those rich traditions but I feel they are not reaching thier spiritual potential till particiapting in the full number of sacraments.

My opinion - one less Muslim to deal with one way or the other!

Evangelicals who convert to Orthodoxy or Eastern Catholicism are a resource just waiting in the wings to be used to revitalize the Eastern tradition.Bradley Nassif hinted as much in his article in the December 2006 issue of Christianity Today look at east and West for my synopsis in this timely article). they have the true evangelical fervor of not only being converts, but they have the deeply instilled missionary spirit that not only can bring more converts our way, but get those long timers and cradles out of their doldrums. with the increasing interest in Patristics and liturgy amongst Evangelicals, watch for more converts. most of these folks know their Bible well, most can fit into doing Apologetics if they are appreciated and sent in the right direction. as far as Muslims coming to Christ, true, one less Muslim to deal with, but methinks the angels in heaven are rejoicing over this former Imam.
Much Love,
Jonn

there is a wideness in God's mercy. the fact that he turned to Jesus Christ for salvation is a good enough start for me, as if I had anything to say about it.do you really think it makes any difference to the Muslims as whether this man is now Protestant, Orthodox, Oriental, Catholic, or Anglican? all they know is that he is an "apostate", and he is "worthy" of death. if this new brother in Christ is willing to not only live for, but die for Christ, then that's all that is important, that's all Jesus cares about. if he can receive the material assistance he now needs, and it comes from Orthodox, or Eastern Catholic,and it leads to Baptism,then all the better. the fact that he is now a believeris what really counts.remember the thief on the cross when he confessed his faith in Jesus Christ, our Lord accepted him.
Much Love,
Jonn