Introducing Orthodoxy in 50 words or less
March 17th, 2007 ~ Orthodox perspective(I am really technologically challenged. I found this old post and published it, but since I didn’t update the date stamp it didn’t come to the top of the posts. I think people with RSS feed might have found out about it, but for those not blessed with RSS, I thought I should fix my goof. Plus, it’s very timely. I’m listening to “Our Life in Christ” as I type this. Maybe they can impart enough wisdom that I can get things right this time.)
All right, I think that by now everyone has visited the excellent Orthodox radio program, Our Life in Christ, on the excellent 24-hour radio station, Ancient Faith Radio. And if you’ve heard a broadcast or downloaded one via the internet, you’ve heard the opening of the show. But just in case you haven’t, it’s worth scribbling out the quote below on a 3×5 card and having it in your wallet or something. I just came across it, and it seems to me the best quick introduction of Orthodoxy you could give to your non-Orthodox friends. Because they’re probably not going to stand still for a history lesson — not even The Timeline — and they probably aren’t interested in hearing about theosis, podvig and the philioque. So you’re better off to just say:
The Orthodox Church is evangelical, but not Protestant. It is orthodox, but not Jewish. It is catholic, but not Roman. It isn’t non-denominational — it is pre-denominational. It has believed, taught, preserved, defended and died for the Faith of the Apostles since the Day of Pentecost 2000 years ago.
Contents available under a
March 17th, 2007 at 3:57 pm
Thanks for sharing that; although, I’m pretty sure that anyone I know would probably want to hear more than that. But it is a great jumping off point!
Have a blessed weekend.
March 17th, 2007 at 7:39 pm
The above does not mention the ESSENTIAL fact that the axioms which constitute the matter and form of the Eastern Orthodox paradigm are totally at variance (and incompatible) with those
of either kind of Western Christianity; see
http://www.orlapubs.com/AR/R265.html
March 17th, 2007 at 8:54 pm
So, right at the end then: “And the axioms which constitute …” and so on. Bang-o. You’ve gone from 48 words to 72 words. Unfortunately for me, my non-Orthodox friends and family aren’t as patient as Michelle’s — mine will turn on the television if I go over 60 words. If I boiled it down to “We ain’t Roman Catholic,” I might have a chance.
March 19th, 2007 at 9:33 pm
Thanks Grace. We always appreciate the “viral marketing”. I have to confess the concept came from Fr. John Finley from the Antiochian Dept. of Missions in an ad he created for a Mission event. We used it with his blessing.