Prayers for Eastern Christians Become Easier Sell for Evangelicals

Associated Baptist Press ^ | 9/30/14 | Jeff Brumley and Ken Camp

[marshmallow]

Globalization, the Internet and terrorism have awakened many American Christians to the history and contributions of Eastern forms of the faith, experts say.

It’s hardly unusual to hear evangelicals and other Protestants praying for persecuted Eastern Christians these days, especially those fleeing terrorists forces in Syria and Iraq.

But that wasn’t always the case. and if there had been such prayers in years past, they likely would have been for the salvation of Orthodox and other Eastern Christians.

Many Protestants, and evangelicals in particular, “have grown up with biases against Catholics and Orthodox that have been based upon an assumption that their brand of Christianity is more cultural in orientation than it is spiritually vital,” said Rob Nash, professor of missions and world religions at Mercer University’s McAfee School of Theology. “This bias then lends legitimacy to our conviction that they should be evangelized."

Missionaries have witnessed these attitudes firsthand.

“There was a very strong disconnect with Eastern Christians, just like there was a very strong disconnect between Protestants and Catholics,” said Nell Green, who has lived and worked in the Middle East as field personnel for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.

But those attitudes have softened over the past 30 years or so, Green said, as globalization and around-the-clock coverage of persecution flood American television and computer screens. And this greater acceptance by many Protestants is leading gatherings and other events bringing the two groups together for fundraising and prayer support.

[CMB_polarization]

Christians against other Christians by reason of a few cultural knics knacs is simply unacceptable. Especially under threat of a multitude of murderous mohammedan marauders.

[Wilhelm Tell]

Interesting article. I have heard the attitude from some fundamentalists that Christianity became apostate immediately after the last apostle died and the church was wrong about virtually everything up until the time of the Puritans or the more radical reformers such as Zwingli. Up until then, almost no one was “saved.” I guess it would make one insular if one thought of the Eastern churches, Catholicism, and perhaps the more Catholic-like types of Protestantism as another religion. I don’t think understanding has always gone well both ways. Maybe we can have a little solidarity as we have common enemies.

[CMB_polarization]

I know a person who doesn’t believe anyone (or very very few) persons is saved besides himself. The doctrine this person follows is extremely contentous and divisive for Christianity.

[Texas Fossil]

I was brought up in the Baptist Church. Like most of my ancestors (mom’s side was Lutheran) for as far back as we can trace family history.

There was no discussion when I was young of the Eastern Orthodox Church. Some discussion of Catholic Church influence. The Catholic Church here is divided racially between German and Hispanic heritage. Vastly different outlook and practices.

When I was a young man I heard some disparaging remarks about “Jews”. Mostly about Jewish businessmen.

Here and now? All of that is gone. We are all way too far down the path to be divided about such things. It is very late, nothing should divide us now.

I do not always agree with the Southern Baptist Convention, those are often driven by individual egos and perceptions. But I no longer see the divisions important.

This is a time to act in unity.

—

KJV: Ephesians Chapter 6

[10] Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

[11] Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

[12] For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

[13] Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

[CMB_polarization]

If one confesses they follow Christ, accept them into fellowship.

[Wilhelm Tell]

I was curious about what you said. So in Texas, are you likely to see in one town one Catholic church of mostly people of Hispanic heritage but you go across town and there is another Catholic church mostly of people of German heritage?

[Wilhelm Tell]

Exactly. The Nicene Creed is a good test for orthodoxy. If one believes what it says you have the real fundamentals of Christianity right there.

[St_Thomas_Aquinas]

based upon an assumption that their brand of Christianity is more cultural in orientation than it is spiritually vital,

Sad. Half of my family roots are from eastern Europe. There is nothing as profound as a peasant's faith.

[Texas Fossil]

No, separate small towns. Settled by German families who chose to keep a cultural association apart from the local area. Some of the Hispanic Catholics attend, but most choose to associate with their own cultural associates.

The German Catholic communities tend to be more wealthy farmers. The others tend to be poorer.

We see the same cultural division in some local German Lutheran based communities.

In the beginning it had to do with when they settled here.

My family has owned/operated farms in this county since 1889. I am comfortable in all those communities, but also see the self imposed division. I know most of the old families in all of those communities. Some really great people.

There few Catholic Churches in this area. Many more what Catholics would refer to as Protestants. I never liked that term, don’t feel I protest anything.

[Salvation]

 

Prayer for Iraq

O God, who art the unsearchable abyss of peace,
the ineffable sea of love, the fountain of blessings
and the bestower of affection,
who sendest peace to those that receive it;

Open to us this day the sea of thy love
and water us with plenteous streams
from the riches of thy grace
and from the most sweet springs of thy kindness.

Make us children of quietness and heirs of peace,
enkindle in us the fire of thy love;
sow in us thy fear;
strengthen our weakness by thy power;
bind us closely to thee and to each other
in our firm and indissoluble bond of unity:

Syrian Clementine Liturgy (in: For all God’s people; p. 73)

The full text of Patriarch Sako’s prayer for peace follows:

Lord,
The plight of our country
is deep and the suffering of Christians
is severe and frightening.
Therefore, we ask you Lord
to spare our lives, and to grant us patience,
and courage to continue our witness of Christian values
with trust and hope.
Lord, peace is the foundation of life;
Grant us the peace and stability that will enable us
to live with each other without fear and anxiety,
and with dignity and joy.

Glory be to you forever.  Amen.

Litany for Iraq

For lasting peace in this ancient land – From you, O Lord.
For wisdom and compassion for all in authority – From you, O Lord.
For comfort for families separated or bereaved – From you, O Lord.
For the release of captives – From you, O Lord.
For safety and security for minority communities.
For refreshment for the weary and healing for the sick – From you, O Lord.
For continuing faithfulness of the ancient churches of this land – From you, O Lord.
For tenacity of spirit for small Christian groups – From you, O Lord.
For the mutual enrichment and support of those of different Christian traditions – From you, O Lord.

You, Lord of all, we confess;
You, Lord Jesus, we glorify;
For you are the life of our bodies
And you are the Saviour of our souls.

The response in the litany and this hymn both come from the Chaldean liturgy. The ancient hymn celebrates Christ the source of resurrection in all situations of death and deprivation. (in: With All God’s People, p. 21, 22)

From Anonymous:

Father God, Our Savior and King,

We come to You in despair over the evil being done to our Middle East Christian brothers and sisters. We ask that You would put Your hand of protection upon them and that You would sustain them as You did the Israelites in the desert. Lord, cause our brothers and sisters to cry out to You for help and show them the peace that only You can give in answer to their needs. In their darkest moments, Lord, keep them, strengthen them, and comfort them. When they despair that no one is coming to help them, Lord, reveal Your glory and restore their souls.

We ask you these things in the blessed name of Your precious son, Jesus Christ.

Amen.

[Salvation]

Catholic belief is succinctly expressed in the profession of faith or credo called the Nicene Creed:

The Nicene Creed

I believe in one God,
the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.

I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
(At the words that follow, up to and including "and became man." all bow.)

and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary,
and became man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,
he suffered death and was buried,
and rose again on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead
and his kingdom will have no end.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.

I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins
and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come. Amen.

[Zionist Conspirator]

Naive American Evangelicals think that Syrian, Iraqi, and Egyptian chrstians are Southern Baptists. The fact is, Middle Eastern chrstians are far closer to the Catholics they so despise.

Furthermore, Middle Eastern chrstians (like all the ancient churches) hate and despise American-style Fundamentalists. I can guarantee you that if the situation were reversed the Middle Eastern chrstians would shed no tears whatsoever.

[Zionist Conspirator]

There is nothing as profound as a peasant's faith.

Unless the peasant is a poor rural American Protestant who believes Genesis 1-11 is actual history. Then he's an idiot . . . right?[/sarc]

[redgolum]

Correct

[Zionist Conspirator]

Correct

And now those same hypocritical chrstians are complaining because the big, bad atheist scholars (whom they cheer on Genesis) are saying that J*sus didn't exist.

Serves them right!

[Alex Murphy]

Many Protestants, and evangelicals in particular, “have grown up with biases against Catholics and Orthodox that have been based upon an assumption that their brand of Christianity is more cultural in orientation than it is spiritually vital,” said Rob Nash, professor of missions and world religions at Mercer University’s McAfee School of Theology. “This bias then lends legitimacy to our conviction that they should be evangelized." Missionaries have witnessed these attitudes firsthand.

Another Fine Example Of Catholics Never Posting Threads Denigrating Others

[pbear8]

The article is from the Baptist press, your highlighted quote is from a Protestant theology professor.

[Iscool]

Professing that or even believing that does not make one a Christian...I certainly don’t believe in the Catholic’s definition of an apostolic Church...

But hey, you left the capital C on church but removed it from catholic...What’s up with that???

[Rashputin]

LOL, surprise, surprise, someone who insists Jesus Christ was a fraud and false Messiah tosses in off topic BS hoping to start an argument among Christians.

How about, . . . a poor rural American Protestant who believes . . . in Jesus Christ as their Savior?

Christ was present at the Creation as part of the Holy Trinity, that point is more fundamental than Genesis 1:11 so if we're changing this to a thread about the Creation, let's start with God as the Holy Trinity of which Christ is a part and go from there instead of playing the same old game of spreading division with BS and lies about what others believe.

The spread division crowd don't want to focus on their own beliefs which assert that by definition anyone who believes in Christ as their Savior is already well beyond being an idiot.

For example, to what extent does this article focus on the Creation? To what extent does it discuss the book of Genesis? To what extent does it focus on differences between what Christians in Iraq believe about the Creation as compared to what US Evangelicals believe about the Creation?

Show of hands,
Who believes that Jesus Christ as part of the Holy Trinity was integral to the Creation of all things as described in Genesis 1?
Who denies that fundamental point about our Savior Jesus Christ?

People who consider all Christians to be idiots anyway (or at the very least misled suckers following a con man, liar, and agent of Satan) can't possibly be concerned with anything other than spreading divisions among Christians when they comment on an article about Eastern Christians and Evangelicals.

From the Noahide site :

Naturally, Jesus did sometimes pretend to respect the Law, but whenever he thought he could get away with it, he turned right around and broke that same Law. In Matthew 5:17-19, he declared that he came to fulfill the Law, and in Matthew 23:1-3 he defended the authority of the rabbis. But the rest of the time, he rebelled against the Law—thus showing that his occasional words of piety were meant only to hide his evil agenda.

and this at the same link in the same description of Jesus Christ :
The Talmud (Babylonian edition) records other sins of "Jesus the Nazarene":
He and his disciples practiced sorcery and black magic, led Jews astray into idolatry, and were sponsored by foreign, gentile powers for the purpose of subverting Jewish worship (Sanhedrin 43a).
He was sexually immoral, worshipped statues of stone (a brick is mentioned), was cut off from the Jewish people for his wickedness, and refused to repent (Sanhedrin 107b; Sotah 47a).
He learned witchcraft in Egypt and, to perform miracles, used procedures that involved cutting his flesh—which is also explicitly banned in the Bible (Shabbos 104b).

When someone who insists that Christ had an evil agenda and denies Jesus Christ is God from God, our Savior, their BS comments about Christians are worse than garbage. They're puss flowing from their own hatred of Jesus Christ and their desire to see Christians divided rather than standing together to spread the Truth of Christ as our Savior as Christians are commanded to do.

That should be obvious from the fact that such folks reject everything in the New Testament(1).

(1)From the Noahide site :Thus the "New Testament" was written, in Greek rather than Hebrew, and attached to the original Hebrew scriptures to try to change their meaning back toward paganism.