Questions: Orthodoxy Vs Protestantism

Perhaps one of the most salient questions I’ve been asked as loved-ones struggle with my decision to “convert” to Orthodoxy was posed in a rather interesting way.

“I just don’t understand the difference between Orthodoxy and Christianity.”

Honestly, my initial reaction: “that’s funny, because neither do I.”  While it may be a smart-alec response for a very serious issue, I think it hits at a the key answer to the question: Orthodoxy IS Christianity.

While it can look like a completely different religion to  many Protestants who are experiencing it (or other forms of liturgical Christianity) for the first time, Orthodoxy has the same basic theology: Jesus Christ, only begotten son of God, born of a Virgin, crucified, buried and resurrected.

I admit that the faith is much more complex than the abbreviated version seen above.  However, I believe it points out the key answer to the question:

Orthodoxy is Christianity.

I have not departed from the religion of my youth.  I have forsaken none of the Truth I have been taught in my childhood by my parents and numerous others.  If anything, I have found my home: a place where my faith has been fleshed out over the course of 2,000 years.

The plunge…

I recently decided to take “the plunge.”  Thus, I am beginning my first week as a catechumen in the Orthodox church.  It’s only taken me 2 years & 3 months to do it, but who’s counting?

Why so long?  Because I am not one to rush into things.  I do things in my own time, at my own pace.  I will not often be rushed, but I do not often wish to wait either.  (insert childhood story here.)  I’m ready when I’m ready and very few will rush or hinder me.

Why  now?  Because it’s time.  Because over the past year I’ve become increasingly aware that I do not wish to leave the Orthodox church (particularly my parish, whom I have grown quite fond of).  Not only do I not wish to leave, but I can’t imagine myself feeling fully at home (theologically) anywhere else.  I kept putting off the decision until I had time to think, time to process, and time to devote to plunging the depths of the Orthodox faith.  But I realized that ultimately, a decision must be made.  A step must be taken.  There is much more to this whole Orthodox thing, but there comes a point where it is hard to go any further without first making a commitment.

However, I realize, perhaps now more than ever how this decision affects and confuses those I love.  To many, Orthodoxy is a complete mystery.  To others, it’s another type of Catholicism.  And to many, it is full of practices that border on idolatry and heresy.  While I do not profess to have the answers to everything, I have decided to take the time over the coming weeks to answer some of the salient questions I have been asked recently.  I realized long ago that I could not make a proper decision about Orthodoxy unless I felt confident that I could explain what I believed to those who love me enough to ask questions.  After 2 years of prayer–individual and corporate, in addition to reading and seeking to understand the Orthodox faith, I am finally at that place.

Over the course of the next few weeks/months, I will attempt to address a few of the questions that have come from those close to me.

Alone and … happy?

The music from my computer plays softly.  The furnace kicks in, offering a steady stream of warm air and adds its own steady hum to that of the humidifier and air purifier already running.  A single candle flickers across the room.  And I sit, wrapped in my most comfortable clothes, literally curled up with a book and a cup of tea.

The computer pings.  Lets me know I have a date with an old friend in March.  And pings again.  This time it means a possible girl’s night this weekend.  As I return to my book, my mind wanders to a discovery  I’ve made over the past few weeks.  I am increasingly contented.

Tonight is no exception.  Few thing would make this evening better.  (A dog, curled up in my lap or by my feet, for example.  Possibly a fire in a fireplace.)  And I think back just a few hours ago.  My current job has brought with it a variety of  people and introduction to life as a single adult.  Growing up, singleness was not “right.”  Every “adult” I knew as a child and teenager was either married or looking to be married.  To be single was a sign that something was inherently wrong with you.  Too tall, too skinny, to fat, to awkward.

This idea is only propagated by the Protestant neglect of monasticism.  Sure, Paul says that it’s better to stay unmarried, but no one ever listens…  There are few, if any, examples of real, quality people who remain single. As I’ve continued my journey into Orthodoxy and life in general, I’ve gained a significant amount  of respect for monastics.  And I see in the lives of the saints solid examples of both married and single adults.

Slowly, and with much resistance, I am beginning to think, “Maybe singleness isn’t that bad after all.”  As residual stress from a previous life passes away, and I sit here, alone, I realize that I’ve never been less alone in my life.

For once, I’m not anxious to change my situation.  I’m excited about where my life is, where it’s heading.  And the rest I’m finding along the way.

boxes of history

My family is a bunch of pack rats. yes, we have boxes in the basement of toys my brother and I haven’t played with in 10-15 years. No, this is not a recent discovery of mine. I’ve willingly and sometimes enthusiastically embraced this lifestyle: desk drawers filled with travel brochures, high school class notes, etc. However, the pack-rat-ness of my family hit an ultimate high this afternoon.

My mom mentioned in passing that she needed to clean out one of the cupboards. We decided to take a look to see exactly what needed to be cleaned out. Some of the things in the cupboard have been there as long as I can remember. In fact…I can’t remember a time that they weren’t there! These aren’t pots and pans, mind you. nor are they seldom used kitchen gadgets. No, they’re boxes. Boxes of food.

Being the curious person I am…and desperate for something to distract me from homework…I took a closer look at these ancient boxes. They might possibly be older than I am. Seriously.

Do you remember when the USDA came out w/ a standardized nutrition label? Well…these boxes either flew under the radar or came before that. Pre-standardized label. Two of them have mail-in offers. My favorite one: mail in the weight label (you know, the part that says net weight X oz?) and shipping and handling between 1982 and 1986 and receive a cookbook. So many things…

Mom wants to throw them away. GASP! How dare she want to throw away these little boxes of history!?! In my opinion, if they’ve lasted this long, they deserve to be treated w/ utmost respect and care. Not to be tossed aside in some landfill, still completely unopened. After all, who knows when someone might desire an unopened box of Duncan Hines strawberry cake mix circa 1982-6? Betty Crocker éclair’s mix from 1986?

…maybe that’s my inner pack-rat…

Protected: Dreams…

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