Vladimir Putin's Christianity is a facade, says expelled US missionary

Christian Today ^ | 2017 | Harry Farley

[GoldenState_Rose]

It is now well over a year since Vladimir Putin's Russia passed 'anti-missionary' laws and more than 180 cases have since been brought.

Activities ranging from prayer meetings in homes, posting worship times on a religious website and praying in the presence of other citizens have been interpreted as 'missionary activity' with Christians making up the vast majority of the law's victims.

One case is that of Donald Ossewaarde, an American Baptist preacher living in Oryol, who was expelled for hosting a church meeting in his house.

Having lost appeals throughout the Russian judiciary system, Ossewaarde's case is now with the European Court of Human Rights. Although confident he will win there, Ossewaarde is convinced he will never be allowed back into Russia.

Speaking to Christian Today at a conference run by ADF International, a legal charity that represents Ossewaarde, he explains his conviction the Church was behind his arrest.

'I know that they have profited from what has happened to me,' he says. 'They are obviously the ones who benefit the most from going after any other form of Christian.'

But the one religious group not affected by the so-called Yarovaya law is the Russian Orthodox Church.

The Russian Orthodox Church is used 'as a political' tool, he says, by Putin whose history raises questions about the sincerity of his faith.

'It is all a façade,' he says, bemoaning Putin's propaganda success in presenting himself at home and internationally as a champion of conservative Christian values by opposing homosexuality and abortion.

'I think that is all just for show. He portrays himself to the Russian people as a moral leader, a Christian leader. I think that is just a façade he puts on because he knows it sells well.'

[Jacob Kell]

Historically, Lutheranism is Russia was mainly a ethnic German and Ingrian Finn religion, however, lately it has a number of followers from other ethnic groups as well-Komi, Mordvins even a few Russians and maybe Volga Tatars.

https://biblicalstudies.org.uk/pdf/rss/31-4_367.pdf

[Jacob Kell]

PS, sorry for my tagline.

[MarMema]

The Orthodox church has a long history of nationalism.

I knew all this stuff back in the mid-90's. Nothing new.

I support nationalism so it's not an issue to me. Let the non-Orthodox find other countries to evangelize. Why do they insist on evangelizing other Christians?

[MarMema]

Had these baptist neighbors who told my kids we were evil and not Christian because we had icons in our home.

Christians can be ugly everywhere, not just in Russia. Western Christians can be as ugly as they come. It's not a surprise to me that Russia is trying to keep many of them out of the country.

[redgolum]

Correct.

My great great Grandfather come from some of the Volga Lutherans.

In researching our tree, we found a few lost Finns still in Russia, and are (at least nominally) Lutheran.

I need to contact the someone in Mission Central about the current status of the mission in Russia. Last time, they said while there were typical government issues, they had a decent relationship with the local Orthodox. Granted, they make a real effort to not poach sheep from other shepherds.

[GoldenState_Rose]

Great quotes. I believe in Orthodoxy’s special place in Russia and other Eastern countries, but even as a Catholic agree that Protestantism lay the groundwork for the American republic. And i think Russians, including the ones who aspire for a non-authoritarian future for their country do not understand that link.

They equate “freedom” and “democracy” with the decadence which characterized the French Revolution. And it was the French Revolution which did far more to pave the way for the Bolsheviks than the American.

The American Revolution was a whole different enchilada. De Toqueville understood this. Even Thomas Paine who was shunned for being an out of the closet atheist toward the end of his life thought the French had taken things too far with their secular insanity. (He visited.)

To understand America’s founding, one must understand the theological, religious, and spiritual movements and values from which our country sprung. One must be Biblically literate and see how the Bible applies notbjust to matters of personal conduct, worship, and faith — but to a cohesive worldview about the order of things: social, political, economic, etc...

And that even religious freedom and freedom of conscience is a Christian concept! One’s decision to accept or reject God is between man and God — not man and State!

[daniel1212]

The Orthodox church has a long history of nationalism. I knew all this stuff back in the mid-90's. Nothing new. I support nationalism so it's not an issue to me. Let the non-Orthodox find other countries to evangelize. Why do they insist on evangelizing other Christians?

Why? Because usually being converts themselves they are well aware that the majority in Catholic and Orthodox churches are lost, trusting that their baptism made them children of God, and with the intercession of their church they will attain Heaven.

In contrast, evangelicals are not so much attempting to convert you to their church but to Christ, via heart-felt contrite repentant faith in the Lord Jesus to save you on His account, as damned and destitute sinners, as in Scripture. Which results in following the Lord.

One who has not had the transformative events of being born again with its basic profound changes in heart and life then they need their "day of salvation."

And in contrast to evangelicals Russian Orthodox overall show very little commitment, which is a testimony to their lost condition.

Despite the opening of more churches and official and media support for Christianity in Russia in recent years, the share of Russians attending Christmas services was less than two percent of the Russian population – a decline by more than half over the last eight years. Russian officials and hierarchs of the Russian Orthodox Church routinely claim that 80 percent of more of the Russian people identify as Orthodox Christians, and polls show that almost that many acknowledge that they do, although they indicate that they only attend church and follow its rituals from time to time. - Window on Eurasia -- New Series: Share of Russians Taking Part in Christmas Services has Fallen by Over Half Since 2010

Pew reports:

Orthodox Christians make up an estimated 57% of Central and Eastern Europe’s total population, including large majorities in 10 of the 18 countries surveyed, from Russia to Serbia to Greece...But their orthodoxy does not necessarily translate into high levels of practice, or “orthopraxy” (derived from the Greek for “action”). For instance, a median of fewer than one-third of Orthodox Christians in the region report praying daily and fasting during holy times such as Lent. - Orthodox Christians in Europe more likely to believe than practice their religion

- https://windowoneurasia2.blogspot.com/2018/01/share-of-russians-taking-part-in.html

[daniel1212]

To understand America’s founding, one must understand the theological, religious, and spiritual movements and values from which our country sprung. One must be Biblically literate and see how the Bible applies notbjust to matters of personal conduct, worship, and faith — but to a cohesive worldview about the order of things: social, political, economic, etc... And that even religious freedom and freedom of conscience is a Christian concept! One’s decision to accept or reject God is between man and God — not man and State!

Well, you I.D. as a RC (as i was) but speak as an evangelical! May God give you grace to go all the way.

[MarMema]

Yeah, all that stuff you posted. That's why I will never be a protestant.

Religion is a mystery not a philosophy.

Additionally you know nothing about the Orthodox faith which never ever presumes that anyone is going to heaven, within the church or outside of it.

You should probably examine your level of arrogance however. That's what i would do in your shoes. I believe Scripture supports humility and a lack of judging others, things which are found in abundance in the many many Orthodox churches I have been to, around the country and world.

[daniel1212]

Yeah, all that stuff you posted. That's why I will never be a protestant. Religion is a mystery not a philosophy.

I understand how much the EOs magnify mystery but Scripture is not so mysterious that it excludes doctrine, which teaches that as damned sinners who are destitute of any means of saving ourselves from Hell or attaining Heaven we must humble ourselves as such and cast all our faith/confidence in the risen Lord Jesus to save us on His account, by His sinless shed blood. And so follow Him.

Additionally you know nothing about the Orthodox faith which never ever presumes that anyone is going to heaven, within the church or outside of it.

That it know nothing about the Biblical Orthodox faith in which even the most very devout Jews were told that they must be saved by repentant faith in the Lord Jesus or else they would be made His footstool=damned.

And which warns,

In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. (2 Thessalonians 1:8-10)

You should probably examine your level of arrogance however. That's what i would do in your shoes. I believe Scripture supports humility and a lack of judging others, things which are found in abundance in the many many Orthodox churches I have been to, around the country and world.

You should probably examine your level of arrogance however. That's what i would do in your shoes.

How it is arrogant to hold to doctrine which presumes and states there are essential Truths, and that souls this need to be saved, and ineffectual faith (or faith in a false gospel) will not save one, and provide stats which answer your intolerant demand,

Let the non-Orthodox find other countries to evangelize. Why do they insist on evangelizing other Christians?

I believe Scripture supports humility and a lack of judging others, things which are found in abundance in the many many Orthodox churches I have been to, around the country and world.

Which means you are guilty of what you charge others with, since you yourself engage in judging others as wrong by both condemning evangelicals and judging others for judging. This also is not mysterious, but a reality that must be faced, as with the need for a conversionary personal day of salvation.

[Elsie]

Additionally you know nothing about the Orthodox faith which never ever presumes that anyone is going to heaven, within the church or outside of it.

Mark??

Wanna chime in?

[Mark17]

Additionally you know nothing about the Orthodox faith which never ever presumes that anyone is going to heaven, within the church or outside of it.

I guess maybe that is why I will NEVER be a part of the “Orthodox faith.” They may teach that, but at the risk of being judgmental, and committing the sin of presumption (which I love to commit)😀 I will say I disagree with with that line of thinking. I KNOW absolutely, positively, totally, completely, 💯%, now and for all eternity, that I have assurance of salvation. I am assured of Heaven.
At this point, putting it rather bluntly, I don’t really care if anyone likes it or not. What they think, has no impact on my life.
I hate to be so judgmental. On second thought, being judgmental about this, is a beautiful thing. Everyone should try it. 😀😆😄

[af_vet_1981]

'I think that is all just for show. He portrays himself to the Russian people as a moral leader, a Christian leader. I think that is just a façade he puts on because he knows it sells well.'

I think is a very weak argument.

The missionary is Fundamental Baptist and a graduate of Hyles (Jack Hyles) - Anderson College (1985).

In 1972, Hyles–Anderson College was founded by Jack Hyles with financial support from Russell Anderson. The school was originally located on a campus known as Baptist City in Schererville, Indiana. HAC's former campus was turned into Hammond Baptist K-12 school. This school is also operated by the First Baptist Church of Hammond.

The college's first president was Robert J. Billings, who later served as Ronald Reagan's "liaison to the fundamentalist Christian movement in the 1980 presidential campaign" and then spent six years in the U.S. Education Department as well as was a founding member of the Moral Majority.[2][3]

Hyles-Anderson alumni have pastored over 572 churches within the US and Guam.[4] Over 123 alumni compose missionary families, church planters, and mission teams around the world with Fundamental Baptist Missions International[5] and many hundreds have teamed up with other mission boards as well.[6][7][8] One graduate, Jon Nelms, started the Final Frontiers Foundation mission board, which has led to the creation of over 44,000 churches worldwide.[9]

When Hyles died in 2001, his son-in-law Jack Schaap, a 1979 graduate and former vice president of the school since 1996, became chancellor.[10] That same year Hyles' boyhood home, a 384 square foot (36 square meter) shack in Italy, Texas was purchased to create a museum to honor Hyles and was shipped from Texas to Hyles–Anderson College.[11] Schaap was removed as chancellor in 2012 after federal officials began looking into child abuse allegations, to which Schaap later pleaded guilty.[12]

In 2012, Chicago Magazine reported that the school "appears to be struggling" with only 1,000 students enrolled, down from 2,700 in its peak.[12] Schaap noted that donations dropped and staff lay-offs occurred before his arrest.[13]

In 2015 Stuart Mason,[14] the former President of Hyles–Anderson College, resigned to Pastor the Timberline Baptist Church in Sherwood, Oregon. The next President will be John Wilkerson.

[papertyger]

Sadly, it is my experience that the most vocal and learned of the evangelical sects just can not comprehend the idea that despite their best arguments and fervent belief, God may not agree with what they “KNOW” the Bible tells them (i.e. interpretation).

[aMorePerfectUnion]

“Additionally you know nothing about the Orthodox faith which never ever presumes that anyone is going to heaven, within the church or outside of it.”

If they don’t believe an Apostle, writing under inspiration of the Holy Spirit, then they don’t believe Truth.

“And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life.”

“I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life.”

I John 5:11-13

[af_vet_1981]

Sadly, it is my experience that the most vocal and learned of the evangelical sects just can not comprehend the idea that despite their best arguments and fervent belief, God may not agree with what they “KNOW” the Bible tells them (i.e. interpretation).

I'm not sure that evangelical is the precise adjective to describe this group of Independent Fundamental Baptists, although I don't see them use that term Fundamental on their website. It seems to me that term has fallen from grace, so to speak.

From Hyles Anderson What We Believe page

1. God has divinely preserved His words for English-speaking people in the King James Version. The King James Version is the translation used in any and all ministries of First Baptist Church for English-speaking people.

[af_vet_1981]

A little worse than I expected ...

Chapter 3 - The Saddest Story We Ever Published!

This is why Once Saved, Always Saved is such a trap.

[Elsie]

... God may not agree with what they “KNOW” the Bible tells them (i.e. interpretation).

And there are others who...

... may agree with what their religious organizational headquarters tell them what GOD wants them to know:

Via interpretation, tradition, extra biblical 'teachings', visits by apparitions, and ignoring what is PLAINLY written in Scripture.

[Elsie]

“And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life.”

“I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life.”

I John 5:11-13

 

 

 

Some folks (The "Yes; but..." crowd) have trouble seeing certain words...

 

 

“And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life.”

“I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life.”

I John 5:11-13

[Elsie]

It seems to me that term has fallen from grace, so to speak.

In what quarters?