Coming Home: Why Protestant Clergy Are Becoming Orthodox

Rating:
Summary: The Path Home
Review: Coming Home is a simple yet interesting collection of stories about formerly Protestant Clergy who converted to the Eastern Orthodox Church. Each brief story of the individual's journey to Orthodoxy is unique, yet they all have the same theme; each wanted more from their Christian worship and faith, and found their home in Orthodoxy. The stories are unpretentious, never preachy, very human, and a joy to read, which is in part due to Peter Gillquist's great job of editing.

Rating:
Summary: In response the to the man from Eagle River Alaska
Review: I sympathize with you for the hurt caused by any clergy of the church. Alas, even though the Eastern Orthodox church gaurantees true worship, and true doctrine, it does not gaurantee perfect clergy. Anyone reading the review please do not judge the clergy of the Orthodox church as a whole, based on the actions of some in particular. There will always be sin, greed, legalism, and lack of care in this world. Sadly, this will even be seen in the body of Christ. Granted, people/clergy will act like a jerks, over glorify the priesthood, and abuse their leadership roles. A quote from John Chrysostom says "The road to hell will be lined with the skulls of bishops." As we know from the Bible, leaders will be judged more harshly for their actions. Please, do not dare to say that clergy from the Orthodox church will not lead you closer to God. Not only is that speaking rashly, but it is denying the grace that God has given these men for performing their specific roles. I know many clergy that have sacrficed everything in their lives to help others grow closer to God. I am truly sorry to hear how these men have treated another human being, created in the image of God. Let us pray for our clergy, that have "come home". For they are human too, and subject to greed and struggles with sin. Let us pray, not judge, and not dismiss the claims of the one, true apostolic church. The battle is spiritual, and precisely what the devil wants us to do is leave the truth, or have divisions among us. I pray that you and I, everyone, will trust the Lord, seek Him first, and not allow the actions of men to destroy our relationship with Him. God Bless!!

Rating:
Summary: In response the to the man from Eagle River Alaska
Review: I sympathize with you for the hurt caused by any clergy of the church. Alas, even though the Eastern Orthodox church gaurantees true worship, and true doctrine, it does not gaurantee perfect clergy. Anyone reading the review please do not judge the clergy of the Orthodox church as a whole, based on the actions of some in particular. There will always be sin, greed, legalism, and lack of care in this world. Sadly, this will even be seen in the body of Christ. Granted, people/clergy will act like a jerks, over glorify the priesthood, and abuse their leadership roles. A quote from John Chrysostom says "The road to hell will be lined with the skulls of bishops." As we know from the Bible, leaders will be judged more harshly for their actions. Please, do not dare to say that clergy from the Orthodox church will not lead you closer to God. Not only is that speaking rashly, but it is denying the grace that God has given these men for performing their specific roles. I know many clergy that have sacrficed everything in their lives to help others grow closer to God. I am truly sorry to hear how these men have treated another human being, created in the image of God. Let us pray for our clergy, that have "come home". For they are human too, and subject to greed and struggles with sin. Let us pray, not judge, and not dismiss the claims of the one, true apostolic church. The battle is spiritual, and precisely what the devil wants us to do is leave the truth, or have divisions among us. I pray that you and I, everyone, will trust the Lord, seek Him first, and not allow the actions of men to destroy our relationship with Him. God Bless!!

Rating:
Summary: Talk about damning with faint praise...
Review: One of the reviewers stated of the Orthodox Church: "...the church that is still a driving force in Greece, Romania, Bulgaria, Russia, Ukraine, Serbia, Ethiopia and Albania." That reminds me of what the old Canadian humorist Stephen Leacock said about the classics professor who claimed Thucydides was responsible for "everything I am today." Said Leacock--"this is a serious charge, indeed."

Rating:
Summary: Talk about damning with faint praise...
Review: One of the reviewers stated of the Orthodox Church: "...the church that is still a driving force in Greece, Romania, Bulgaria, Russia, Ukraine, Serbia, Ethiopia and Albania." That reminds me of what the old Canadian humorist Stephen Leacock said about the classics professor who claimed Thucydides was responsible for "everything I am today." Said Leacock--"this is a serious charge, indeed."

Rating:
Summary: Conversion Stories of Protestants to Orthodoxy
Review: This book, edited by Peter Gillquist, more or less accomnplishes what it sets out to do. Compiled stories of ex-protestants and their reasons for becoming orthodox. All of the contributers write in a very easy to understand and likeable style. All show great amounts of charity towards their evangelical brothers and sisters and believe God used those expierences to bring them up to orthodoxy.

So why the average rating? Well, it is becuase, these contributers barely touch on doctrinal matters. This not to say their reasons are not legitimate, but 18 different conversions stories all sounding pretty much the same, does get a little tiresome when presented in one book. They speak about the liberal incroachment in protestantism (true), lack of unity (ture), and so forth; however, they do not present much on the differences in apporaches in regards to doctrines, and therefore, much of the book feels incomplete.

Therefore, it is worth reading. But I think a book with less contributers, but more in-depth expierences would have been much better. Still, a very easy read and likable read.

Rating:
Summary: Conversion Stories of Protestants to Orthodoxy
Review: This book, edited by Peter Gillquist, more or less accomnplishes what it sets out to do. Compiled stories of ex-protestants and their reasons for becoming orthodox. All of the contributers write in a very easy to understand and likeable style. All show great amounts of charity towards their evangelical brothers and sisters and believe God used those expierences to bring them up to orthodoxy.

So why the average rating? Well, it is becuase, these contributers barely touch on doctrinal matters. This not to say their reasons are not legitimate, but 18 different conversions stories all sounding pretty much the same, does get a little tiresome when presented in one book. They speak about the liberal incroachment in protestantism (true), lack of unity (ture), and so forth; however, they do not present much on the differences in apporaches in regards to doctrines, and therefore, much of the book feels incomplete.

Therefore, it is worth reading. But I think a book with less contributers, but more in-depth expierences would have been much better. Still, a very easy read and likable read.