Tag: Journey to Orthodoxy (Page 1 of 4)

Visit the Journey to Orthodoxy blog

Folks,

David Rockett – Linked in

David is the silent partner behind the OrthodoxBridge blog. After writing a draft of a blog article, I will send it over to David. He then gives me his thoughts on the content, phrasing, and tone of the article. Over the years, David has been to me a beloved older brother, trusted advisor, and valuable ministry partner. His wise counsel and perspective has helped make the OrthodoxBridge effective in speaking to Orthodox and Reformed Christians.

Auburn Avenue Presbyterian Church

David recently wrote about his conversion in Journey to Orthodoxy. One thing that struck me about David’s story was the fact that he did not leave the Reformed faith because he was unhappy. Rather he left because he found something better in Orthodoxy. David knows the Reformed faith well having been twice elected an elder at two different PCA Churches (teaching often & preaching in his Pastor’s absence) and a long-time member at Auburn Avenue Presbyterian Church in Monroe, Louisiana (recently Church of the Redeemer (CREC) in West Monroe.

For many Reformed Christians becoming Orthodox involved protracted inner struggles over the presuppositions of faith and practice. Part of the struggle also involved longstanding relationships with family and friends. The cautious take-it-slow approach to conversion is a wise course of action that in time yields much fruit. I encourage readers to click on the link provided. I’m sure you will be blessed by David’s testimony as I was.

Robert Arakaki

See also

Robert Arakaki.  “Obstacles and Encouragements for Inquirers.”  OrthodoxBridge.com July 2018

Robert Arakaki.  “Calvin vs. the Icon: Was John Calvin Wrong?”  Liturgica.com

Robert Arakaki.  “An Orthodox Critique of Mercersburg Theology.”  Orthodoxy and Heterodoxy August 2012

LINK

One of contemporary Orthodoxy’s greatest evangelists in the blogosphere was Kevin Allen, host of The Illumined Heart. Many who visited the site have been touched by the many fascinating one-on-one interviews Kevin did with people from a wide range of faith backgrounds who came to Orthodoxy.

On 7 August 2018, Kevin passed away from ALS aka Lou Gehrig’s disease (source).  This progressive neurodegenerative disease is dreaded by many due to the gradual and unstoppable unraveling of the body’s nervous system. Kevin shares his journey from diagnosis and his preparation for the moment of death in the article: “Discovering Life by Facing Death.”

May your memory be eternal dear brother in Christ!

In light of this blog’s focus on promoting dialogue between Reformed and Orthodox Christians, I found an interview Kevin did back in 2008. He interviewed Robert Meyering, the former moderator of the Calvin Forum, who is now an Orthodox Christian. Meyering was a Five-Point Calvinist minister who worked at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In the half-hour interview, he described his Reformed roots, his disenchantment with Protestantism, and his journey to Orthodoxy. Meyering also discussed his Calvin Forum interview with Frank Schaeffer, the son of Francis Schaeffer, and the role that interview played in his journey to Orthodoxy.  Meyering closes the interview with some observations about what Orthodox can learn from Reformed Protestants.

Robert Meyering interviewing Frank Schaeffer Source

One reason why The Illumined Heart is so widely listened to and has touched so many people’s lives is the journey stories. People instinctively love stories. The Bible is one long narrative about the human race in which God is both the master story teller and the main character. In the Incarnation Jesus entered into human history becoming part of our story. Jesus told parables that invited his listeners into the grand narrative of God seeking to save the lost. Jesus’ death on the Cross and his third-day Resurrection marked a radical turning point in the story of humanity. The drama of history can be reduced to a few questions: Will he or she find God? Will they confess Jesus as Lord and Christ? Will he or she find their way home? As we listen to Kevin Allen’s interview with Robert Meyering, we may find ourselves faced with questions such as: Is my background similar to Robert Meyering’s? Am I in a similar situation like his? Do I have the courage to follow Christ in radical discipleship . . . even into the Orthodox Church?

Robert Arakaki

The Illumined Heart: Orthodox dialogue to illumine the heart

“Calvin Forum Moderator Becomes Orthodox” – 5 July 2008 – The Illumined Heart [35:49]

Interview: Robert Meyering with Frank Schaeffer on the Calvin Forum