Expert: Rev. Robert Woods - 2/2/2008

Question
Can you please tell me what is wrong with the Orthodox church and their beliefs. When did it start and when did the Baptist start? What is the Original church? Was it at the refermation? Penticost? Please give me some insight on this... Concerned which way to go.

Answer
Blessings and thank you for your question.

Let's divide up your questions.

1.  The Orthodox Church: History: Eastern Orthodox Churches trace their beginning to the establishment of the Christian church on the day of Pentecost. They separated from the western Latin Church in A.D. 1054.

Differences from Roman Catholicism
Eastern Orthodox is often confused with Roman Catholicism; therefore, an understanding of the differences is needed. Orthodox priests do not have to be celibate. They may marry, provided they do so before they take their vows. Orthodox bishops, however, must practice celibacy.
Orthodox churches do not recognize the supremacy of the bishop of Rome (the pope) over the patriarchs of the Orthodox churches. Unlike Roman Catholics, Orthodox churches reject the filioque doctrine. Filioque is the belief that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Son, as well as the Father. The Orthodox use John 15:26 as their reason for rejecting this doctrine.
Eastern Orthodox churches may be classified into three groups: Orthodox churches in the Middle East, Orthodox churches in Central and Eastern Europe, and Orthodox churches outside of traditional Orthodox countries.
Orthodox churches claim to possess the same faith and practice of the early church of the New Testament.

Christian Response: Their claim that Orthodox churches have the same faith and practices as the early church is negated by the fact that there is no unified faith and practice in Orthodox churches today.
There are significant differences between Orthodox churches. Churches differ in both their ecclesiastical customs and in theology. The parallel church hierarchy that often exists in the same city demonstrates these divisions between Orthodox groups. The nationalism found among Orthodox churches demonstrates their lack of unity and universality.

Orthodox Theology
Orthodox theologians teach that religious knowledge is derived from God's revelation of Himself. Scripture and the Apostolic Tradition (an oral tradition) are the two avenues through which this revelation comes to humanity. The church preserves the part of God's revelation that is not written down in Scripture. The Orthodox church is both the interpreter and caretaker of this revelation. They claim that this tradition has been preserved exactly as it was given to the church. It was first protected in the oral tradition of the church and was eventually written down in the writings of the Church Fathers. According to the Orthodox, Scripture and Tradition complement each other. Together, these contain the complete revelation that God has given to the church.
One important difference between Eastern Orthodoxy and evangelical Christianity is the way the two groups approach theology. Evangelical Christianity uses a creation-fall-redemption model to interpret God's revelation, while Eastern Orthodoxy uses a creation deification (theosis) principle. Evangelicals emphasize the results of the fall. Sin is a violation of God's law that warrants death. Jesus fulfilled the demands of the law by suffering the penalty of sin in our place. The righteousness of Jesus is imputed to all who believe in Him. Salvation can only be received by grace through faith, and is not the result of good deeds.
Eastern Orthodoxy follows a mystical approach to God. They teach that God can be known experientially, but not intellectually. God transcends the ability of language to describe or human logic to understand. God is both unseen and incomprehensible. In other words, God is an enigma.
Since they believe that God is incomprehensible, Orthodoxy has not emphasized the development of systematic theology. Rather, they have stressed the achievement of a mystical union with God. This mystical union with God is referred to as deification (theosis).

Doctrine of God
According to Orthodox theologians, God is transcendent. Although God is absolutely transcendent, they believe that God has intervened in human history. Orthodox theologians have identified three aspects of God that enable them to affirm both God's absolute transcendence and immanence. These three aspects are God's essence, the three Persons of the Trinity, and God's uncreated energy.

Doctrine of Creation
According to Eastern Orthodoxy, the universe was created by a loving act of God. God created that which is not God. The creation possessed a nature distinct from God's. Yet, God's creation was blameless and deserving of His love.
God not only gives created beings their structure and variety, but He also gives them their energy. Through the process of creation, God has given His creatures their own energy. These beliefs form the basis of the Orthodox hypothesis of the "double movement." According to the double movement theory, God moves toward creation through the incarnation of the divine Logos. Through the logoi, creation proceeds in the direction of God. Creation naturally moves toward, not away from Him. In time, this movement toward God will end in creation partaking in the energies of God. As a result of moving toward God, perfection or deification is attained.
Eastern Orthodoxy believes that Adam was created as a child. They believe he was not a mature being and only possessed the capacity for perfection. Because of this view, Orthodoxy does not view the fall of humanity as seriously as evangelicals do. For the Orthodox, the problem of sin is not as grave as Western Christians assert. Orthodox theologians support this notion of sin by differentiating between person and nature. They reason that though humanity possesses the freedom to sin through an act of the will, humanity's nature is to be in communion with God. Because of this nature, and people naturally proceed towards fellowship with God.
According to the Orthodox, the sin of Adam and Eve affected only themselves. Their descendants inherited no sin or guilt because of the fall of the first parents. The fall resulted in their descendants becoming mortal and subject to physical death. This mortality resulted in an increased tendency to sin, but only because humanity was subject to physical needs. Humanity's mortality makes people prone to sin. The sin of Adam and Eve created a barrier of mortality between God and humanity. Only God could do away with this barrier. God removed this obstacle through the incarnation of Christ.

Deification
The incarnation made it possible for humanity to be united with God. Orthodox writers often refer to this union as deification. It is not a union with God's essence, but with God's divine energies. God reveals Himself through His energy. Through deification, humanity may participate in these divine energies.
The road to deification involves prayer, meditation, asceticism, and the performing of good deeds, as well as receiving the holy sacraments (a discussion of the sacraments is found under "Religious Practices"). Consequently, Orthodox churches do not emphasize a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as much as they do taking the sacraments. They believe that receiving the sacraments provides a relationship with Christ. One may not achieve this union solely by the grace of God through faith.
The Orthodox understanding of Adam's fall results in an impaired view of the results of sin. In Orthodoxy, the result of the fall is mortality, not the doctrine of original sin.
The Orthodox teach that the sacrament of baptism provides participants with new life. Faith in Christ and repentance from sin are not necessary for this new life. This is demonstrated by the fact that the
Orthodox baptize infants. The sacramentalism of the Orthodox competes for the need of a personal faith in Christ as the means of salvation.

Authority

The Orthodox claim that the Scriptures and Apostolic Tradition, especially as recorded in the writings of the Church Fathers, as their authority. The canon of Scripture used by the Orthodox contains the 66 books of the Protestant Bible, plus 10 additional books that are in the Greek Septuagint. The Orthodox contend that since the canon of Scripture was created by the church, the entire body of believers, that the church has the sole authority to interpret the Bible.

Other Beliefs

The Eastern Orthodox reject both the supremacy of the bishop of Rome, as well as his papal infallibility. They reject the immaculate conception of Mary because of their rejection of the doctrine of original sin; however, they do affirm the perpetual virginity of Mary as well as her bodily assumption. They also give Mary the title "Mother of God."

Religious Practices
The Eastern Orthodox recognize seven sacraments (or mysteries): the Eucharist, baptism, chrismation (confirmation with consecrated oil), ordination, penance, marriage, and holy oil for the sick. They believe that the elements of the sacraments become grace-filled through the power of the Holy Spirit. Icons are used as religious objects instead of statues. Orthodox clergy may marry before ordination. Their liturgy follows the customs of the eastern churches.

2.  Baptists: In the US, Baptist constitute 27 groupings and their total membership is about 30 million.  Baptist churches are completely independent, yet bound together by an amazing common allegiance to principles and doctrines.  They claim no founder but Christ, and often claim they have been preaching since John the Baptist.  When the Reformation began in the 16th century, scattered Baptist groups in Europe advocated doctrines that eventually united them.  As the left wing of the Reformation, they were called ANA-Baptists ("to baptize again"), because they immersed (dunked) those who had been baptized in infancy.  They held to a literal application of the Bible, were communal and pacifistic, and opposed capital punishment, taking oaths in court, and the holding of public office. They insisted upon the complete separation of church and state.  Undergoing persecution for their then - radical views, they spread all over Europe.  In Holland a group of Mennonites, followers of the former Anabaptist leader Menno Simons, were teaching Anabaptist principles and took in  a group of British refugees undergoing persecution under James I.  One of their leaders, John Smyth, completely accepted the teaching of the Mennonites.  Smyth and his followers were rebaptized, became Anabaptists, and organized the first English Baptist church in 1609.  However, they remained English and refused to take on all the accoutrements of the Mennonites.  As persecution waned, the English Baptists went back across the channel and began a Baptist church in London.  Although they spread, they divided again, this time over the theology of the Atonement.  The General Baptist churches held that Jesus Christ died for everyone, while others held to the teachings of the Particular Baptist church - following the teachings of John Calvin - that salvation was only for those predestined by God.  The first Particular (British) Baptist Church had its beginning in 1638.  A third group, Immersion Baptist, broke away and in 1644 produced a confession of faith that is still in use by many.  For the first time, these Christians were popularly known as Baptists.  In 1631 Roger Williams went to America, and although he was not a Baptist, established a Baptist church at Providence, RI.  In 1814 Baptists organized the General Missionary Convention of the Baptist Denomination in the United States of America for Foreign Missions.  This step marked the first real denominational consciousness and united the Baptists.  They formed a society for publication as well as for missions and education.  In 1845 came the major split.  Southerners seceded from the union over the issue of slavery and state’s rights, and formed the Southern Baptist Convention to carry on the work of their churches.  What was left of the General Missionary Convention formed the Northern Baptist Convention which changed its name to American Baptists Churches USA. The two have remained separated ever since.  Baptists generally agree upon the Bible as the inspired Word of God, the supremacy of Jesus Christ, inherent freedom of individuals to approach God for themselves, salvation by faith through God's grace, two sacraments (called ordinances) of Baptism (adult only immersion) and the Lord's Supper, the independence of the local church, the church as a group of regenerated believers, complete separation of church and state, the immortality of the soul, and the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom.  Because Baptists have had freedom of expression in the pulpit and pew, they are quite democratic.  This means that liberal and conservative doctrines can be preached freely because each church is autonomous.  Local churches license and ordain candidates for the Ministry.

As a whole, there are few differences between Baptists today.  The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) tends to be more conservative or fundamental meaning they take a literal view of the Bible, while American Baptists tend to be more liberal in thinking.  The problem is that every Baptist church is autonomous, that means no one outside the local church can control or tell it what to do.  That means you can have very liberal Baptists and very fundamental Baptists in the same convention.  That also means that any local church can come up with its own doctrine or beliefs and still remain Baptist.

Baptists believe in one and only one living and true God. He is an omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscience, spiritual, and personal being. He is the creator and ruler of the universe.  To God we owe all our heart, mind, soul, and strength.   The Eternal God reveals himself to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit with distinct personal attributes.

Baptists Believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God.  Jesus was begotten of the father before all the ages. Because we are sinners and had no hope of salvation, Jesus obediently came from the heaven.  He was made flesh by God through the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary.  Jesus perfectly revealed and did the will of God.  He took upon himself the demands and necessities of human nature without sin.  He honored God in every way.  He was crucified, suffered, and died for us.  Jesus was buried and was resurrection on the third day.  He ascended into heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God.  He is the mediator, partaking of the nature of God and man.  He will return again in power and glory to judge the world. He now dwells in all believers as the living and ever present Lord.  

Baptists Believe in the Holy Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit exalts Christ, convicts us of sin, fills the believer, and calls us to the Savior.  The Spirit helps us to interpret Scripture and comforts believers.  The Holy Spirit gives us all manner of spiritual gifts to be used in obedience to the Father and service to the church.  The Spirit seals the believer unto the day of final redemption and empowers the believer in worship, gifts, evangelism, prayer, and service to God.

Baptists Believe that the Holy Bible is the word of God that was written by men.  It was divinely inspired (God breathed) and is a record of God’s revelation of Himself to us.  The Bible tells us of the relationship between God and man since creation.  It instructs us on the principles by which God judges us.  The Bible is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in right living, so that we who belong to God may be proficient and equipped for every good work.  The Bible is without error but must always be taken as a whole and in its context.  The Bible is also a tool in which the Holy Spirit can speak to us.

The Church is an institutional instrument of the Lord Jesus Christ.  It is a local body of baptized believers who are associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of Christ’s Gospel.  The church observes and is committed to the ordinances and teachings of Christ. It should exercise all of the Gifts of the Spirit within the body as the Holy Spirit chooses to give.  The church is an autonomous body which operates through democratic process under Christ’s Lordship.  It has scriptural officers and members who are equally responsible.  The church of Christ also speaks of the whole Body of Christ which includes all redeemed believers throughout the ages.

The First day of the week is the Lord’s day.  It is a scriptural time to worship God.  Worship is a time of Active Celebration of God by those who believe in Him.  Worship is a participatory event not a spectator event.  Worship is Praise, Sacrifice, Celebration, Proclamation, Exaltation, and Thanksgiving to God.  It includes the singing of songs, hymns, and spiritual songs.  It includes giving back to God, humbling ourselves before God, testifying of what God has done, prayer, and hearing the Word of God with direction from the Holy Spirit.


Baptists believe that one day, in God’s own time, Jesus Christ will come again and usher in the end times.  According to Jesus’ promise recorded in scripture, He will return personally and visible in glory to the earth.  The dead in Christ will rise first and all believers will join him in the air.   The unrighteous will be consigned to Hell, the place of everlasting punishment.

Baptists believe it is the duty and privilege of every follower of Christ to make disciples of all peoples.  We are to love one another, just as God loved us when we were unlovable.  The church is to support both individually and communally the missionary effort in our community and through our denomination throughout the world.  It is the duty of every child of God to seek constantly to win the lost to Christ by personal effort and lifestyle.  

Baptists believe that Christ’s people should be organized to cooperate together to further the kingdom of God.  This cooperation should be voluntary and should have no authority over one another or its member churches.  This cooperation should be maintained as long as the larger denomination stands for the same doctrine and purposes of the local church.

Members of the Church should also cooperate with the larger ecumenical body of Christ to elicit, combine, and direct the energies of God’s peoples in the most effective manner.  Christian unity is spiritual harmony and voluntary cooperation for the Kingdom of God without compromise of loyalty to Christ and His word.


Hope this answers your questions.  Blessings