Guidance needed

[TheologiaCrucis]

I will start off by saying that I have been a Christian my whole life. I was born and raised in the Lutheran denomination where I currently belong. I have been doubting the theology of the Lutheran church somewhat and I don't really know how to describe what I feel. It is sort of an uneasiness in my soul. Anyway, I started to consider every major Protestant denomination around and I in fact visited a Calvinist (Presbyterian) church today. There were guitars and other statements made that were just off the wall and honestly ridiculous to me. The pastor stated that sacraments are merely symbolic and other things of this nature. Well... I definitely don't feel called to attend that church again! We'll just leave it at that.
I feel that I may be being led down a different path... the path of Orthodoxy. I am not sure how God will reveal His truth to me, but I have been praying often and asking for guidance. I have investigated Orthodoxy before but I was very closed-minded in my thinking at that time and I "knew I was right and everyone else was wrong." Now I know that I do not have the answers and I would ask that you be with me and keep me in your prayers. I realize that many of the practices of the Orthodox Church seem foreign to me but I am willing to be a little uneasy if it means embracing God's truth. I want the original Christianity, the church Jesus himself appointed. If there are any resources that you could point me to that would help me learn more about Orthodoxy and the conversion process, it would be greatly appreciated. Also, I was wondering if anyone could tell me about the differences between Orthodoxy and Catholicism. I thank you in advance for all your help. God Bless!

James

[VickiY]

Prayers for you, James. You may wish to consider reading the book "Becoming Orthodox" by Fr. Peter Gillquist. I would also recommend "The Orthodox Church" by Bishop Kallistos Ware.

[gzt]

There are three easy-to-read books about Orthodoxy that I like to recommend, they're good introductions to Orthodoxy and introduce you to an Orthodox way of thinking about things, namely prayer, how we know God, and what the life Christ has given us is. They are For the Life of the World by Fr. Alexander Schmemann, The Orthodox Way by Bp. Kallistos Ware, and Beginning to Pray by Metropolitan Anthony Bloom. They're cheap and easy to find, they might be too simple to immediately understand.

People are probably going to recommend an entire pile of books for you to read. I personally stand behind those recommendations as most likely being the best, but what is far more important is that you regularly read the Gospels, pray every morning and every evening, and get in contact with an Orthodox priest/begin attending liturgy at an Orthodox parish. Don't delay or make excuses.

[Shubunkin]

Former Lutheran here, and have been studying Orthodoxy for a few months now. It was difficult for me too, at some points, but much prayer, and keeping an open mind got me through those moments. Let the Spirit lead you. :crosseo:

I still need some prayer as well, because my health has been fluctuating up and down. Just when it seems I get better, something else happens!

[MariaRegina]

Beginning to Pray is excellent.

For the Life of the World is rather deep and intended for a college audience. But do consider reading this excellent book once you have read a few other books.

The Orthodox Church by Bishop Kallistos (Timothy) Ware is excellent if you want to learn of the history.

[MariaRegina]

Former Lutheran here, and have been studying Orthodoxy for a few months now. It was difficult for me too, at some points, but much prayer, and keeping an open mind got me through those moments. Let the Spirit lead you. :crosseo:

I still need some prayer as well, because my health has been fluctuating up and down. Just when it seems I get better, something else happens!

Dear Charitina,

I'm in the same age range as you are ... and menopause doesn't help. My allergies have become worse ... and that affects my ankles which swell whenever I eat any foods to which I have allergies.

I must read labels and that is a pain.

Know that I will pray for you.

Lovingly in Christ,
Elizabeth

[Photini]

James, welcome to TAW. :)

Just out of curiousity, what is it that attracts you toward Orthodoxy?

[xristos.anesti]

Just to say, welcome to TAW and hang in there..


Many years.

[Philip]

Welcome to TAW.

You will find that many of the converts here are former Lutherans. IMBANSHO, Lutheran theology shares more in common with Orthodoxy than visible at first glance. Feel free to ask questions. We will do our best to answer them. But, be warned: you should expect alot of the answers to be 'Speak with an Orthodox priest'.

[Philip]

I would also recommend "The Orthodox Church" by Bishop Kallistos Ware.

I would recommend The Orthodox Way over The Orthodox Church. The latter focuses more on history while the former provides a nice introduction to Orthodoxy for the Western mind.

and Beginning to Pray by Metropolitan Anthony Bloom.

An excellent recommendation.

[Eusebios]

Hello James:wave:Welcome to TAW/ Others have recommended some excellent books, I would also recommend Matthew Gallatin's Thirsting for God in a Land of Shallow Wells (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1888212284/104-3405063-9603900?v=glance)
gzt also gives the best advice. One can read about Orthodoxy until their eyes hurt, but one can only really know Orthodoxy via Orthopraxis. Take the time to locate a parish or two near you, call the priests and talk to them. Attend Great Vespers (typically Saturday evenings) and/or The Divine Liturgy. We will also do our best to answer those questions which we are capable of answering.
My prayers are certainly with you as you seek God's will for your life.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v408/greymooncrest/OrthoPrayer.gif
Eusebios.

[TheologiaCrucis]

James, welcome to TAW. :)

Just out of curiousity, what is it that attracts you toward Orthodoxy?

This is a great question that I don't really think I know the answer to. I just feel that this is where I am being led. This is what I am starting to see in Protestantism today. I think that it is possible the truth has been distorted by others (reformers) to fit their own agendas.