Sin, Certainty, and the Gospel: Why I’m Not Eastern Orthodox

By Rev. Paul Gregory Alms

First of all, let me say that I am a great admirer of the Orthodox Church (sometimes called the Eastern Orthodox Church). The Orthodox Church is made up of similar churches linked by a common confession, liturgy, and tradition, which stretch back to the earliest days of the church and have many commendable traits. I admire the Orthodox Church for its liturgical services and commitment. Orthodoxy has preserved a liturgical, sacramental service and continues to insist upon it. Another thing I like about the Orthodox is that they uphold the Sacraments! They believe and confess that the bread and wine in the Lord’s Supper is the true body and blood of Christ.They believe that in Baptism it is God who works regeneration. Orthodox churches are also very traditional and conservative. They conserve and hold to what has been passed down to them from the Christian past.

So at this point you are probably wondering, “If the Orthodox are so great, why aren’t you one, Pastor Alms?” Good question. The truth is that while I find much to approve of in the Orthodox churches, I am Lutheran and will not switch to Orthodoxy. Why? It’s not because I was brought up Lutheran (which I was) and not because my mom would not approve (which she wouldn’t!) and not because I might lose my job or some benefits (which I would). No, I am going to remain Lutheran because in several crucial areas Lutherans, not the Orthodox, confess and teach the truth of the Scriptures.

Certainty is one area where Lutherans and Orthodox diverge. One of the great needs we have as sinful people is certainty. We must be certain about God and His mercy to us in Christ. Think of how it would be (and how it often is) if we were uncertain whether our parents or others really loved us. It is the same with our relationship with our Lord. We need to know for sure what He has done for us and where and how we can receive His love and forgiveness. As Lutherans, we know for sure that we base all our teaching and certainty on the words of Jesus Himself and the Word of His inspired prophets and apostles.

In contrast, Orthodoxy has embraced some practices and beliefs that are not based on the clear word of God. They point people to practices such as praying to the saints or fasting or using icons in a way that cannot be supported using the Word of God. This makes people uncertain. How can we know that such things are acceptable to God or that He wishes us to do them? How can we know that we can gain acceptance or approval from God for such things?

Sin is another area in which Lutherans and Orthodox differ. Lutherans talk a lot about sin and the depths of its corruption and the effect it has even on us, the baptized. Ephesians 2:1 says that without Christ we are corpses and that sin has killed us. What can corpses do? Get up? Wiggle a toe? Follow Jesus? Cooperate in achieving good works? No! Nothing!

Orthodoxy does not share this Scriptural insistence on the effect of sin up on us. Instead, the Orthodox often seem to teach we can cooperate with the Holy Spirit in achieving our salvation. Orthodox leave the door open to the possibility that we in our own free will can exercise some p ower in getting to heaven. Lutherans slam this door shut and give all the glory to God alone.

The main reason I am a Lutheran and plan to remain one is the Gospel. Lutherans are all about the Gospel—Jesus Christ on the cross for us sinners! Jesus Christ in the font for us sinners! Jesus Christ on the altar, in our mouths for us sinners! Being a Lutherans means being focused on the Gospel and what God does for us, not on ourselves or on our goodness or efforts. We have liturgy, catechism, hymns, churches, sermons, youth groups, magazines, pastors, you name it...all for this—to hear and receive the Gospel. The Gospel is not one message among many for Lutherans; it is our lifeblood, the place where we gain all things in Christ, the rock on which we stand.

Lutherans proclaim this: salvation is a pure and free gift from God. This is how God wants it. Jesus, who is love Himself (1 John 4:6), wishes to be the giver and lover and redeemer, the gracious and forgiving one. He wants us to be loved ones, the receivers, the grateful, forgiven, baptized ones, who allow Him to do all for us so that we may witness to His goodness with our thanks and hymns and lives.

While we admire the Orthodox and stand with them on some matters, we insist on the Gospel truth of Scriptures and Confessions and call all Christians to join with us in the saving confession of God’s truth.

Pastor Paul Gregory Alms is the husband of Suzanne, the father of Katie, Rebecca, Hannah, and Natalie, and the pastor of Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church in Catawba, North Carolina.You may contact him at almpsg@vol.com and read his blog at http://blog.higherthings.org/almspg/.