tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-513288677190655743.post6811228053912425409..comments2023-11-27T13:12:33.056-08:00Comments on For He is Good and Loves Mankind: From Lutheran to Orthodox in only Six Short MonthsDavid Garnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10868519827605827991noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-513288677190655743.post-68752279745250545502016-09-06T13:10:28.989-07:002016-09-06T13:10:28.989-07:00Dan, thank you for your thoughts. It's hard t...Dan, thank you for your thoughts. It's hard to believe this was written nearly 6 years ago now!<br /><br />I appreciate my time in the Lutheran Church. If you poke around here you will find expressions of that appreciation. I would suggest that we do not simply maintain tradition for the sake of tradition, but for the sake of the faith. As a cradle Orthodox, you understand that we consider Scripture as a part of Holy Tradition, but what I would assert further is that Lutherans have their own tradition, to which you have alluded in saying the Church is found where the Sacraments are rightly administered and the Word purely preached. That is not to denigrate that tradition, and frankly, if you find it where you are count yourself fortunate. We, unfortunately, found very little tolerance in these parts for the richness of Lutheran tradition. That, in my opinion, is a shame.<br /><br />God's blessings to you and yours as you make your way on this journey.David Garnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10868519827605827991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-513288677190655743.post-85983771508489532062016-09-06T12:47:48.326-07:002016-09-06T12:47:48.326-07:00You know - I'm going the exact same road in op...You know - I'm going the exact same road in opposite directions. Born an orthodox in the orthodox romanian church. I simply see Christ more closely here. We are all men and have our traditions, but let traditions not divide us. That is, I think, what Christ wants from us, and lutheranism affirms it. We are saved by Christ alone, not by bishops and traditions. Were eastn-orthodoxy is sunk in tradition. I mean not to be harsh, should we not seek unity, and say "there were the sacraments are rightly administrated and the Word is preached, there also Christ is", rather that: "This is how you do it, because our traditions are very old, and we keep fast to them"?Danhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16946974278303205976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-513288677190655743.post-59716733022246491372010-12-06T03:50:51.969-08:002010-12-06T03:50:51.969-08:00Thank you, Anastasia. Prayers are much appreciate...Thank you, Anastasia. Prayers are much appreciated.<br /><br />I chose that phrase as the blog title because it's one of the several that struck us deeply when we first attended an Eastern Divine Liturgy. It's a very succinct Gospel phrase (to borrow our well ingrained Lutheran terminology), and you are right -- it's not one Westerners are comfortable with. Even though we would not deny it, it's not exactly the picture we've had painted for us.David Garnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10885067733992577305noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-513288677190655743.post-82005143867973279452010-12-05T20:36:46.533-08:002010-12-05T20:36:46.533-08:00You and your family will be much in my prayers as ...You and your family will be much in my prayers as the forces of our enemy gather against you - and they will. They always do, when a person decides to become Orthodox. But prayer, love, humility, and the guidance of your spiritual father will overcome all and bring you to safe harbor in Christ. <br /><br />"For He is good and loves mankind" is a phrase I've been thinking about a lot lately. So hard for us Westerners to really, truly, deep-down BELIEVE and come to terms with. <br /><br />I look forward to learning more of your story.Anastasia Theodoridishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16092531121989260111noreply@blogger.com