Hello Fr. Paul! I'm from Canada and have recently accepted Christ as my lord ! I find myself drawn to the orthodox church and it's ancient wisdom, your videos are extremely helpful in my journey, I hope one day soon to be baptized! Christ is risen.
Your blessing, father. I remember Fr. Peter Heers describe Asceticism as the Orthodox Christian’s expression of love for Christ. I have a little short of it on my channel. It’s wonderful!
Father Paul, how do you have all the time to make these edifying lectures, plus your wonderful series on prayers, plus your homilies, interviews and being a personal spiritual Father, you truly are an ascetic example to follow, all your works are well thought out and easy to digest, yet equally challenging. Thank you 🙏🏻
Thank you Father for this truly edifying lecture, my understanding has depended and have helped me understand our path in basic and easy to understand terms. I have definitely taken notes I’m eagerly looking forward to the second and third parts of this series May it be blessed 🌴🌴🌴
As someone who has been both in the Reformed and Orthodox camp (working my way back to Orthodoxy at the moment) I sometimes wonder if we aren't just speaking past each other when it comes to the whole faith vs. works argument. For the Reformed a saving faith is absolutely one which brings forth the fruits thereof. Only your most extreme cheap grace, antinomian Protestants believe that works have absolutely nothing to do with your salvation. The difference seems to be that though the Reformed hold works to be a necessary ingredient in saving faith they are scrupulous to stress that it isn't those works considered in themselves which save. I don't think this is essentially different from what Orthodoxy teaches. I know of no Orthodox Christian who believes that they are being saved because of their own good works. In fact one of the morning prayers states: "Let Faith instead of works be imputed to me, O my God, for Thou wilt find no works which could justify me." That would get a hearty 'Amen' from any Protestant. Pray for me, father, as I am groping my way back to the Church.
I think it’s more that Orthodox views salvation as a process. Reformed seemed to believe you become saved in a moment and then everything beyond that is sanctification, and fruits that prove you’re really saved. In Orthodoxy there is no assurance of salvation, rather we must keep striving and praying for mercy.
@@fujikokun While you are correct regarding the momentary, forensic nature of Justification in Reformed theology, I wouldn't necessarily agree that there is no assurance in Orthodoxy, or a presumptuous assurance within Reformed thought. In reading the Puritans, especially Thomas Watson, the emphasis on striving and growing in holiness as a way of making your election sure are unmistakable. Likewise I believe there is an assurance in Orthodoxy borne out of a consistent practice and life in the Church. Really at the end of the day, both sides absolutely agree that faith must be coupled with works and the fruit of the Spirit. If any of these are lacking than neither side would say you should be confident in your salvation.
Hi Father! Thank you very much for this video! 2 Qs: 1) where is the nous in this diagram and 2) where can I get the diagram? Thank you and keep up the amazing work
@@traviswilson36 please let me know where in the Bible it says that the scripture alone is to be followed. Or where in the Bible we are told which books make up scripture.
I don't know, it sure sounds like works based salvation... You say that it is not, I get that. But, what does it look like. Are you trying to have it both ways, you know, your cake and eat it too?
@@joshw3010 Brother in Christ, was not James speaking of being justified before men and not before God? Still, it looks like the Orthodox way requires works for redemption. Asceticism, the Eucharist, etc... are works and therefore cannot be essential to salvation. Do you see what I mean about how it appears?
Romans 8:13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. Rev 19:8 For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. 8 Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.)
@@seraphim95 Hello new brother or sister in Christ. Are you telling me the book of Romans supports works based salvation? I am confused- the man in the video said Orthodox do not believe in works based salvation. That was the point of my initial comment that it sounds/looks like Orthodoxy does. Though, I do not fully understand what is meant in verse 8:13; there are far more verses in Romans plainly stating faith is what saves: Roman 1:17, 3:24-28, 4:3, 5:1, 10:17. I do belong to any denomination and though I like the seeming sincerity of the Orthodox I struggle with their core beliefs. It just doesn't match-up with the Word of God from what I have read. Maybe I am the fool but I don't think so, though maybe, maybe not?
Hello Fr. Paul! I'm from Canada and have recently accepted Christ as my lord ! I find myself drawn to the orthodox church and it's ancient wisdom, your videos are extremely helpful in my journey, I hope one day soon to be baptized! Christ is risen.
I’m
He is risen indeed. Alleluia.
Fr, your content is truly incredible. I can’t imagine the work it takes to film it while having a parish and a family. You are awesome 🙏🙏
Your blessing, father.
I remember Fr. Peter Heers describe Asceticism as the Orthodox Christian’s expression of love for Christ. I have a little short of it on my channel. It’s wonderful!
God bless you Fr. These teachings are a blessing. I look forward to the follow on parts🙏☦️ Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on me a sinner.
Father Paul, how do you have all the time to make these edifying lectures, plus your wonderful series on prayers, plus your homilies, interviews and being a personal spiritual Father, you truly are an ascetic example to follow, all your works are well thought out and easy to digest, yet equally challenging. Thank you 🙏🏻
Did I miss the 3rd talk from the new Desert of the Heart Community? Do I need to sign up for that?
Thank you Father for this truly edifying lecture, my understanding has depended and have helped me understand our path in basic and easy to understand terms. I have definitely taken notes
I’m eagerly looking forward to the second and third parts of this series
May it be blessed
🌴🌴🌴
ቃለ ሕይወት ያሰማልን
As someone who has been both in the Reformed and Orthodox camp (working my way back to Orthodoxy at the moment) I sometimes wonder if we aren't just speaking past each other when it comes to the whole faith vs. works argument. For the Reformed a saving faith is absolutely one which brings forth the fruits thereof. Only your most extreme cheap grace, antinomian Protestants believe that works have absolutely nothing to do with your salvation. The difference seems to be that though the Reformed hold works to be a necessary ingredient in saving faith they are scrupulous to stress that it isn't those works considered in themselves which save. I don't think this is essentially different from what Orthodoxy teaches. I know of no Orthodox Christian who believes that they are being saved because of their own good works. In fact one of the morning prayers states: "Let Faith instead of works be imputed to me, O my God, for Thou wilt find no works which could justify me." That would get a hearty 'Amen' from any Protestant.
Pray for me, father, as I am groping my way back to the Church.
I think it’s more that Orthodox views salvation as a process. Reformed seemed to believe you become saved in a moment and then everything beyond that is sanctification, and fruits that prove you’re really saved. In Orthodoxy there is no assurance of salvation, rather we must keep striving and praying for mercy.
@@fujikokun
While you are correct regarding the momentary, forensic nature of Justification in Reformed theology, I wouldn't necessarily agree that there is no assurance in Orthodoxy, or a presumptuous assurance within Reformed thought. In reading the Puritans, especially Thomas Watson, the emphasis on striving and growing in holiness as a way of making your election sure are unmistakable. Likewise I believe there is an assurance in Orthodoxy borne out of a consistent practice and life in the Church.
Really at the end of the day, both sides absolutely agree that faith must be coupled with works and the fruit of the Spirit. If any of these are lacking than neither side would say you should be confident in your salvation.
14:30 similar was mentioned by Elder Cleope "On the Prayer" video. He said St John Chrysostom instructed 3 hrs morning and evening(?)
Thank you. I cannot find the other 2 videos.
Part 2 is up
Hi Father! Thank you very much for this video! 2 Qs: 1) where is the nous in this diagram and 2) where can I get the diagram?
Thank you and keep up the amazing work
Thanks Fr
Asceticism is biblical. Amazing how sola scripture people miss that. Orthodoxy IS Christianity
Amazing that 'scripture alone' is not!
Bro stop. You know nothing
@@cappy1920 You don’t even know what that means lol 😅
@@traviswilson36 please let me know where in the Bible it says that the scripture alone is to be followed. Or where in the Bible we are told which books make up scripture.
@@cappy1920don’t bother, he’s a troll
Elder Arsenios the cave dweller and co- struggler with Papou Ioseph, did 3000 prostrations a day!!
Faith without works is dead, and works without faith are dead also
I don't know, it sure sounds like works based salvation... You say that it is not, I get that. But, what does it look like. Are you trying to have it both ways, you know, your cake and eat it too?
Faith without works is dead.
@@joshw3010 Brother in Christ, was not James speaking of being justified before men and not before God?
Still, it looks like the Orthodox way requires works for redemption. Asceticism, the Eucharist, etc... are works and therefore cannot be essential to salvation. Do you see what I mean about how it appears?
Romans 8:13
For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.
Rev 19:8
For the wedding of the Lamb has come,
and his bride has made herself ready.
8 Fine linen, bright and clean,
was given her to wear.”
(Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.)
@@seraphim95 Hello new brother or sister in Christ. Are you telling me the book of Romans supports works based salvation? I am confused- the man in the video said Orthodox do not believe in works based salvation. That was the point of my initial comment that it sounds/looks like Orthodoxy does. Though, I do not fully understand what is meant in verse 8:13; there are far more verses in Romans plainly stating faith is what saves: Roman 1:17, 3:24-28, 4:3, 5:1, 10:17. I do belong to any denomination and though I like the seeming sincerity of the Orthodox I struggle with their core beliefs. It just doesn't match-up with the Word of God from what I have read. Maybe I am the fool but I don't think so, though maybe, maybe not?
What do you consider works? What do you not consider works? Are you Orthodox?