u/ChadDownUnder

I made a post on this topic in a few different subs, someone suggested I post here for a more rigorous, considered response.

I am currently a youth pastor in a non-denom evangelical church. I have a charasmatic and baptist background, but have rejected many of the the beliefs in those denominations now. My journey started a decade ago, of questioning my beliefs, re-reading the bible without bias (to the best of my ability), investing time in theology and studying church history. Pilate's comment "What is truth?" really sums up my search. I find it very hard to believe that God would allow for so many perspectives on scripture, and find all of them to be 'right'. Eg. that baptism is a symbol, or is salvific.

This journey has led me to two final destinations - Lutheranism and Orthodoxy. I will be transparent in saying that while Orthodoxy is much more unfamiliar and uncomfortable to me with my protestant background, it answers many more questions for me than what Protestantism can. I don't want to make the wrong decision, so I'm posting here for some council or other things I can consider - because if I am to be protestant, I will become (confessional) Lutheran.

I am not hearing any good explanations for the questions I have, from the protestant side.

These are the biggest concerns on my mind:

• How is the church the pillar and ground of truth, with hades not prevailing over it, with so many errors coming into the church, especially so early? We have evidence of saint intercession in the catacombs as early as 250AD for example.
• If the church erred (acquired accretions in Gavin Ortlund's language) so early, yet was the collective institution that compiled our bible, how can we deny the other beliefs exclusively practised for 1500 years?
• If protestantism is 'true', and we as believers have the freedom and right to interpret scripture as we choose, how can we ever have assurance that our interpretation is the right one? Even with Lutheranism, there are Lutherns that affirm gay marriage and ordination of women.
• If protestantism is ever reforming (implication: for the better), why are we seeing it progressively degrade and turn away from the truth? I'm in Australia, and 90% of churches do not hold to a traditional reformer's belief about anything, besides PSA.
• Lastly, on the topic of PSA, I can't believe it. I have extensively studied in the issue and have decided that there is no evidence, biblical or cultural, that the Father punished the son, or poured his 'wrath' on Him. Is this an essential belief to hold as a Lutheran? If not, why not?

Thank you for your time.

Hi all,

I'm looking for some advice and resources. I will try to keep this as brief as possible, I can provide more details in comments as needed.

I've grown up protestant, I've experienced a range of low-church denominations and am currently the youth pastor at a non-denom, evangelical zwingli-esque church, memorial eucharist, baptism as a symbol, etc.. you know the drill.

Over the past decade I have been reading a lot about theology, church history and trying to approach my bible with as little pre-conceived assumptions as possible. The result has been that I have boiled down my denominational future down to two options - (conservative) Lutheranism and Orthodoxy. Both take an aligned view of church history, retaining traditions of the apostles, real presence in the eucharist, etc.

I don't desire to become Orthodox, because it is SO foreign to my experience of faith so far. But there are some undeniable aspects of it that are 'winning' over Lutheranism to me. For example, I see absolutely no biblical or church father evidence of PSA as a concept - which seem foundational to Lutheranism. I'm yet to find a convincing argument as to how the church is 'the pillar and ground of truth', and that 'the gates of Hades will not prevail', and yet, so many errors entered the church so early - which Lutheranism seeks to rectify.

I'm writing this post to look for feedback or resources. As I mentioned, I don't want to become Orthodox, but feel compelled to it, as the 'truth'. I'm unconvinced by the arguments of people like Gavin Ortlund. But I feel that I must do my due diligence in exploring all of the explorations or solutions that Protestantism has to offer, before I make the decision on such a huge change in my faith.

This really is a hail mary, last ditch attempt for me. If you have been in this situation yourself, please share your experience with me.

Note: I have zero interest in Catholicism. Their rebellion and pride, causing the great schism, is the precise cause for my struggle and confusion.

Hi all,

I'm looking for some advice and resources. I will try to keep this as brief as possible, I can provide more details in comments as needed.

I've grown up protestant, I've experienced a range of low-church denominations and am currently the youth pastor at a non-denom, evangelical zwingli-esque church, memorial eucharist, baptism as a symbol, etc.. you know the drill.

Over the past decade I have been reading a lot about theology, church history and trying to approach my bible with as little pre-conceived assumptions as possible. The result has been that I have boiled down my denominational future down to two options - (conservative) Lutheranism and Orthodoxy. Both take an aligned view of church history, retaining traditions of the apostles, real presence in the eucharist, etc.

I don't desire to become Orthodox, because it is SO foreign to my experience of faith so far. But there are some undeniable aspects of it that are 'winning' over Lutheranism to me. For example, I see absolutely no biblical or church father evidence of PSA as a concept - which seem foundational to Lutheranism. I'm yet to find a convincing argument as to how the church is 'the pillar and ground of truth', and that 'the gates of Hades will not prevail', and yet, so many errors entered the church so early - which Lutheranism seeks to rectify.

I'm writing this post to look for feedback or resources. As I mentioned, I don't want to become Orthodox, but feel compelled to it, as the 'truth'. I'm unconvinced by the arguments of people like Gavin Ortlund. But I feel that I must do my due diligence in exploring all of the explorations or solutions that Protestantism has to offer, before I make the decision on such a huge change in my faith.

This really is a hail mary, last ditch attempt for me. If you have been in this situation yourself, please share your experience with me.