I think what Austin might be getting at is that in the Bible, it was clear as to where Christ's Church was. But, today there are 4 types of communions which claim exclusivity to being "Christ's Church" (Latins, Byzantines, Oriental Orthodox, and Assyrians). This is especially confusing when we entertain the phraseology that the Chalcedonians are somehow Orthodox before they have been received into the Orthodox (Oriental) Church after the Holy Spirit/the Church Fathers condemned them 1500 years ago in the Council of Ephesus. If we were to put ourselves in Austin's shoes, we might be thinking: I want to be in the Church that Christ established, but now that there are these schisms, I have to find out which one has maintained the full Faith despite them having similar liturgies. After all, the Arians had similar liturgical experience in comparison to the Orthodox. The best help for a Protestant coming into Orthodoxy would be to show him how our idea of the oneness of the Church (which Protestants reject) can be consistent with Church history (and inferentially how we can show that only the Oriental Orthodox have maintained the full Faith). Timothy Ware had some interesting stuff to say, but I have to respectfully disagree that we should put a sharp dichotomy between worship and doctrine as he does. One is not first and the other second. We get our doctrine from our worship. That's partly how we know what differentiates the Orthodox (Oriental) Church from the various Chalcedonians. It also doesn't help that Ware ended up giving lip service to tolerating the error of homosexuality.
If people have yet to see it, highly recommend Austin's interview with Abouna Anthony Mourad! Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, our mother, St. Mary, and through the prayers of our apostle, St. Mark, and all the prophets and saints - may each of us realize His prayer in John 17.
I too am seeking. It's very confusing the different orthodox churches! Can anyone help me understand the differences? Why does the Greek orthodox do leavened bread while non others do? I'm tempted to believe the majority rules on this issue but then the nature's of Christ in the Coptic church I don't agree with nor the papacy or the goddess type worship of theotokos in catholic.... I guess God will lead. I'm surprised and happy to see this video. Thank you Father. I too am curious to see where he ends up. I love your teachings btw
@@CopticOrthodoxAnswers could you point me to a resource to help understand the different orthodox churches practices. I'm cradle armenian orthodox. Thank you! May God's love shine on your conversation with Austin
This was a lovely response video, Fr. Gabriel. Thank you for your prayers. Happy to chat through these things if you ever wanted to.
Hi Austin, it would be a pleasure. You can reach me at fr_gabriel@stgj.ca. Talk to you soon!
I think what Austin might be getting at is that in the Bible, it was clear as to where Christ's Church was. But, today there are 4 types of communions which claim exclusivity to being "Christ's Church" (Latins, Byzantines, Oriental Orthodox, and Assyrians). This is especially confusing when we entertain the phraseology that the Chalcedonians are somehow Orthodox before they have been received into the Orthodox (Oriental) Church after the Holy Spirit/the Church Fathers condemned them 1500 years ago in the Council of Ephesus.
If we were to put ourselves in Austin's shoes, we might be thinking: I want to be in the Church that Christ established, but now that there are these schisms, I have to find out which one has maintained the full Faith despite them having similar liturgies. After all, the Arians had similar liturgical experience in comparison to the Orthodox. The best help for a Protestant coming into Orthodoxy would be to show him how our idea of the oneness of the Church (which Protestants reject) can be consistent with Church history (and inferentially how we can show that only the Oriental Orthodox have maintained the full Faith).
Timothy Ware had some interesting stuff to say, but I have to respectfully disagree that we should put a sharp dichotomy between worship and doctrine as he does. One is not first and the other second. We get our doctrine from our worship. That's partly how we know what differentiates the Orthodox (Oriental) Church from the various Chalcedonians. It also doesn't help that Ware ended up giving lip service to tolerating the error of homosexuality.
Protestant here. I appreciate what you said about not needing to know everything to convert. That takes a lot of weight off a person's shoulders.
Amen… God bless you
If people have yet to see it, highly recommend Austin's interview with Abouna Anthony Mourad!
Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, our mother, St. Mary, and through the prayers of our apostle, St. Mark, and all the prophets and saints - may each of us realize His prayer in John 17.
I am sure it was great!
I have watched his videos about Orthodox church. May God touch his heart and convince him to become Orthodox Christian.
Amen
Abouna, the message at end is blocked by suggested videos to watch. Can you input it in the thumbnail?
Will put it in the description box
@@CopticOrthodoxAnswers thank you Odsak!
Potential?
Until confirmed it is only potential
I too am seeking. It's very confusing the different orthodox churches! Can anyone help me understand the differences? Why does the Greek orthodox do leavened bread while non others do? I'm tempted to believe the majority rules on this issue but then the nature's of Christ in the Coptic church I don't agree with nor the papacy or the goddess type worship of theotokos in catholic.... I guess God will lead. I'm surprised and happy to see this video. Thank you Father. I too am curious to see where he ends up. I love your teachings btw
Thank you for your comment. God bless.
@@CopticOrthodoxAnswers could you point me to a resource to help understand the different orthodox churches practices. I'm cradle armenian orthodox. Thank you! May God's love shine on your conversation with Austin
Amen Abouna this is so true.
God bless you
“The knowing is in the doing”
Without doing there’s no knowing