tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21841592.post6267277084277632556..comments2022-04-27T23:07:59.833-04:00Comments on Conversi ad Dominum: An Apologia for the ColloquiumFr John W Fentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01283787316830250866noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21841592.post-84685671287794524232007-10-16T01:49:00.000-04:002007-10-16T01:49:00.000-04:00I have finally gotten around to listening to the p...I have finally gotten around to listening to the podcasts, and I have been really enjoying them. I have posted more commentary on my blog at <A HREF="http://cumecclesia.blogspot.com/2007/10/listening-to-that-orthodox-colloquium.html " REL="nofollow">http://cumecclesia.blogspot.com/2007/10/listening-to-that-orthodox-colloquium.html</A><BR/><BR/>Re proselytising, we just have to make sure that we are not using immoral ways to spread the gospel. If we use ways that offend against the freedom of conscience or of religion (both of which are inalienable human rights) then we are actually denying the very gospel we are seeking to proclaim. <BR/><BR/>And I am sure, John Hogg, that if you were a Baptist missionary to the Ukraine, rather than an Orthodox one, you would soon be hearing a lot of complaint from the local Orthodox Church about proselytism!Schützhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05026181010471282505noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21841592.post-90826617347564202682007-09-27T03:03:00.000-04:002007-09-27T03:03:00.000-04:00It seems to me that even if it were prosslytizing,...It seems to me that even if it were prosslytizing, there would be nothing wrong with that. Have we, as Christians, also given into the God of relativism?<BR/><BR/>Not all "truths" are true and not all Christian confessions are equal. <BR/><BR/>The Truth should be confessed with humility and love, but it should be confessed. To fail to confess the Truth because of wanting to avoid "sheep-stealing" is either to view the faith in a relativistic manner (ie all truths are equally valid) or to fail to love your neighbor.<BR/><BR/>We, as Orthodox, must work to reconcile our brothers, who have fallen into error, to the Apostolic faith in Christ.<BR/><BR/>Am I missing something here?<BR/><BR/>In Christ,<BR/>John<BR/>Mid-term Orthodox missionary to the UkraineJohn Hogghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11404309250363914618noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21841592.post-39236640350896365272007-09-26T10:19:00.000-04:002007-09-26T10:19:00.000-04:00Yes, it's obviously proselytizing and sheep-steali...Yes, it's obviously proselytizing and sheep-stealing of the lowest sort. Seriously.The Blogger Formerly Known As Lvkahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09663692507774640889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21841592.post-16351639289666033022007-09-24T20:24:00.000-04:002007-09-24T20:24:00.000-04:00Fr. John,I'll just say that I appreciate your reas...Fr. John,<BR/><BR/>I'll just say that I appreciate your reasoned comments. It's good to have them in the midst of discussions that too often become visceral and inaccurate among us Lutherans! Thanks for your insights!Randy Asburryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01545983197990430420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21841592.post-62937546985721555362007-09-21T20:18:00.000-04:002007-09-21T20:18:00.000-04:00Personally, I have no problem with proselytism, no...Personally, I have no problem with proselytism, nor with men who leave a denomination or confession because they no longer believe in its tenets (in fact, isn't that the honest thing to do?).<BR/><BR/>I went to seminary with men who left behind their pastoral work in Presbyterian and Assemblies of God churches to seek placement in churches that confess the Augsburg Confession instead. Nobody accused these men of breaking their vows or abandoning their flocks. In fact, they were welcomed warmly to the Lutheran fold - and in many cases, held up as examples for, and missionaries to, their former communions. There is a lot of inconsistency among some of the more shrill in every communion.<BR/><BR/>I do have one critique, however, of the colloquium. The word "colloquium" implies a two-way conversation. However, all of the lecturers were Eastern (or Western) Orthodox. A true colloquium would have included voices from both sides. While I'm certain questions were entertained from the audience (I did not attend the event), it is hardly an equal conversation when all of the lecturers are from one side.<BR/><BR/>But, to quote theologian Jerry Seinfeld: "Not that there's anything wrong with that..."). If a bunch of Lutherans wished to put on a series of lectures for people from other traditions within Christianity, so be it. No-one's arm is being twisted.<BR/><BR/>I do think both communions can learn from one another. And while I lament that some of our brightest and best theologians and preachers have swum this river or that, I note that many of them continue to preach in a rather evangelical way that probably reflects a good bit of the Gospel as they learned it while serving Lutheran parishes. In that sense, they have become Lutheran missionaries. My tongue is in my cheek, but only a little.Rev. Larry Beanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06705910892752648940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21841592.post-69212227645805737472007-09-21T15:33:00.000-04:002007-09-21T15:33:00.000-04:00Proselytizing would also seem to include some deta...Proselytizing would also seem to include some detailing of the errors of another faith and a strong preachment for conversion. This was not the case in the Colloquium. It was essentially no more than my father, a naturalized US citizen, being asked to tell a bunch of Americans what growing up in his hometown in northern England was like. he spoke in the accent, used the proper place names and directions, understood 'aborginal' customs and mores, but from someone who is now wholly American.123https://www.blogger.com/profile/14514075641944568806noreply@blogger.com