www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life The Christian East & West Evangelization or Proselytism?

Dear Orthoman,

Actually, you've summarized in a nutshell the traditional approach of Orthodoxy to preaching the Gospel - by example and through the strength and beauty of its life of worship.

Alex

In the Muslim Middle East, that is really the primary means by which to witness to Christ. Unfortunately, that hasn't helped in doing much. The most it may seem to do is to earn a Muslim countryman's respect, (at least one I know who openly commented on how much he admires nuns who selflessly consecrate their lives, and the Lebanese Muslims in general have a greater capacity to respect Christians); the Middle East is a traditional region where conversions aren't common. People don't soulsearch like they do in the States.

Incidentally, I can't help but hear the same complaints and notice the same trend of RC's tired of seeing the RC "crumble", becoming Orthodox. I'm running into these stories on the web frequently. I notice the following checkpoints in some converts' stories: athiest or agnostic, to born again Protestant, to Roman Catholic with bad catechism, to Tridentine Mass discoverer, to Byzantine Catholic lurker, to springboarder to Orthodoxy, and maybe some Old Calendrist jurisdiction in a few cases. Alex, this is fascinating from a sociological perspective! I haven't thought that one could begin to chart a convert's course in this country, and predict the general outline of his experiences this easily. Even some of the attitudes and sympathies can sometimes be predictable to a certain extent. Could you wipe the dust off that PHD and make a sociological analysis here?

As for the Serbians, ever since the war, I had wanted to find a parish of theirs and kiss each and everyone of those people on their cheeks. I hope they won't find the persistence of an ethnic Antiochian uniate too much....

In IC XC
Samer

[ 03-19-2002: Message edited by: SamB ]

Dear Samer,

I agree, the sociology of the convert would make for a fascinating social science doctorate or popular work.

But I'm currently working on a sociology of terrorism and this will have to wait .

As for my PhD collecting dust, by now I probably wouldn't agree with most of what I wrote then anyway

Someone offered to publish it, but after re-reading it, I knew the rewrites of a 300 page work would kill me.

I'll try a sexy novel next - after Lent .

Alex

I still dont understand why the Catholic Church, once the bastone of missionary activity, would suddenly become all anti proselytism for? After all this was one of Romes best assests for centuries and, believe me, she did it very well all over the world. I, being Orthodox, cannot accept the idea that everyone else, mabye with the exception of the RCs, are in the right and we must have a "hands off" policy towards them. It is our duty to convert them. But believe me, Im no fan of having our parishes fill up with ex holy rollers, but what are we to do, ignore the great commision? THese people are heretical and need to be brought to the light of the true apostolic faith and not simply allowed to continue in there former delusion.
Robert K.

Dear Robert,

I guess it is not a question of not preaching the Gospel to the world, but of the "how" we go about doing it.

Orthodoxy has been great at drawing people with its liturgy and worship.

For me, when people are drawn this way, it is the best sign it is the Holy Spirit who is at work, rather than human chicanery that is all too often present in enterprises aimed at "converting" people.

Every sect and cult does this. But only the Orthodox Church stands out for not doing this.

Alex

Are you serious friend or just frustrated?

Maybe the Muhammed you seek is here:

www.telmedpak.com/ngos.asp?a=Edhi_Foundation [telmedpak.com]

For the Orthodox concept of evangelization vs proseltyism access -

http://www.orthodoxy.faithweb.com/evanpros.htm

OrthoMan

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Orthoman,
Awesome. That article was the best explaination that I have seen about the differences between evangelization and proselytism form an eastern Orthodox view.

Your brother in Christ,
Thomas