Good timing. You have any recommendations?

ski

Switching gears. I’ve done my 10k hours of bitcoin podcasts and still don’t feel like an expert. 

Time to deep dive on theology. 
...

Luther, the Catholic priest who founded a religion. I know some priests do bad things but man that's something. And of course he would say that about the orthodox bc it supports his view point. (Same with removed the books he did from the Bible) But it makes you wonder why he didn't join the othrodox? I would say Catholics and Orthodox get along very now or at least I do with my Orthodox friends.

I have wondered that. 1. I think the reformers felt strongly that the western church needed direct reform, as opposed to exit. I agree. 2. The western and eastern church were in different geographical worlds. No internet. No AI translation. As a westerner, I'm grateful that the Reformation fathers did the work they did to salvage our tradition.

I am Orthodox Christian and honestly I feel very blessed!

Did the Church need reform... Probably but the Church always needs work BC it's run by humans however much of the tradition survives. Why did he think ditching the sacraments was a good idea ?

Ceremonial traditions diluting the faith, if I had to guess. Or there was a conflict in Scripture, with Scripture needing to win.

Books I am excited to read.

Then why do the Othrodox keep all of the sacraments too?

I'll save you time on one 😂 Mary is not another Redeemer but she is our mother 😀 When Jesus gave her to us on the cross

They see most of you as heretics that make it up as they go along I personally have tons of respect for Calvinism but I have seen compelling arguments that the umpteen varieties of American Protestantism was ripe soil for feminism and other manner of globohomo

Reformed Christianity is tiny in the US. The church has failed otherwise here.

I have a feeling you and I are not going to "solve" this age old debate in this comment thread.

We don't pray to Mary here, sir.

We don't either 😄 We ask her to pray for us because she is alive just like anyone in heaven.

If Luther highly praised the Orthodox and they keep the sacraments which do you say Luther preserved western tradition when the west also has all seven sacraments too?

I feel the same way about the pope playing ball with globalism but then I look at the based Catholic parishes and many virtuous Catholics I know and I feel hope

It's praying to Mary.

Practical Faith

10 Powerful Prayers Every Catholic Must Say to the Virgin Mary Today

These prayers reflect the deep reverence and love that Catholics have for Mary, recognizing her unique role as the Mother of God and our spiritual ...

Hard to say it's not.

Yes, there is a remnant of based catholics that want to recover that tradition. Almost like a Catholic reformation on the horizon.

These sounds like a really good line of questions for Grok.

It's a slightly difficult concept. People confalte praying to someone and asking someone for prayers. That could be do to poor catechesis. You will notice the prayers are correct though. e.g. The first part of the Hail Mary is quoting scripture. The prayer ends correctly, "pray for us sinners.." The other prayers are more nuanced. You really have to know her as our loving motherr to understand them properly (by proper I mean we know she is not God but a mother) I have never met a Catholic or Othrodox person who confuses Mary with God. God being three persons in one is complicated and we do pray to God the Father and to the Son and Holy Spirit as God alone but see how easy it is to think that's the same as praying to Mary? Our minds must always segregate. (And they do) "Them kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed" And being a kingdom it has hararchy God has chosen this and Mary happens to be Queen of Heaven. (see revelations 12:1) and again "But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared" (Mark 10:40) Since she is the Queen of Heaven she might be a good person to ask for prayers.

What does it look like when you talk with spirits?

Nothing that I have seen. But angels and demons do manifest as the Bible states many times. Tobit and Tobias talked with pure spirit. "Tobit and Tobias were terrified and fell to the ground, trembling with fear. 17 But Raphael said to them, Don't be afraid; everything is all right. Always remember to praise God. 18 He wanted me to come and help you; I did not come on my own. So sing God's praises as long as you live. 19 When you thought you saw me eating, I did not really eat anything; it only seemed so. 20 While you are on this earth, you must praise the Lord God and give him thanks. Now I must go back to him who sent me. Write down everything that has happened to you. 21 Then Raphael disappeared into the sky. Tobit and Tobias stood up, but they could no longer see him (Tobit 12)" Zachariah talked with a pure spirit. Zechariah said to the angel, “What proof is there for this? I’m an old man, and my wife is beyond her childbearing years.” 19 The angel answered him, “I’m Gabriel! I stand in God’s presence. God sent me to tell you this good news. 20 But because you didn’t believe what I said, you will be unable to talk until the day this happens. Everything will come true at the right time.” (Luke 1:5-2:20) And right afterwards "And in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth, 27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. 28 And the angel being come in, said unto her: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women." (Luke 1)

It's growing.

The Eastern Church was praised by the reformers, even while there is a significant divide, mainly that Orthodox believe that you can never be sure of your salvation and that a constant stream of ascetic works are needed to improve your odds of being saved. The Western (Reformed) Church has taken Scripture literally when it says that God has predestined His elect people to be redeemed through Christ by no merit of their own and by no choice of their own: God regenerates His elect people at a time of His choosing and they then are drawn into Christ forever, as is evident by their transformed life (fruits) and steadfast clinging to the means of grace. I love my Orthodox brothers. View quoted note →

Sproul is perfect. James White. Paul Washer. All great for being introduced to the convinctions of the reformed faith.