Seraphim's Struggles on the Way

Recently I've come across alot of books that are about 'apologetics'.

Why you shouldn't be Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic or Protestant etc.

By the usual suspects. The most recent one was 'West of Jesus' by Regina Orthodox Press and it was about where the Protestants went wrong.

But it was poorly done. I mean, the author argued as if every protestant was a reformed calvinist that believed in once saved always saved.

But I'm really tired of it. Do you know what I often find? Mischaracterizations.

Those that only believe in 'believer's baptism' saying that those who baptise infants don't understand the gospel that baptising infants doesn't 'save' (Even though not a single group that practicies infant baptism believes it is salvific alone..)

But the point is, besides the mischaracterizations, it's not really about helping anyone have a relationship with the Master. With God. With Jesus, or the Holy Spirit.

Can you be Eastern Orthodox and be a Christian? Yes

Are only Easter Orthodox Christians? No

Can you be Roman Catholic and be a Christian? Yes

Are only Roman Catholics Christians? No

Can you be Protestant and be a Christian? Yes

Are only Protestants Christians? No

Sigh. No wonder the gospel asks the question, when the Son of Man returns, will he find faith on the earth?

We need to be about what unites us and not what divides us. The truth of all three streams of our Great Christian faith is this.

We need a relationship with God we are built for it.

We can only have such a relationship with God thru Jesus Christ

We can only live the Christian life filled with the Holy Spirit

We need to be part of a faith community.

Is this stuff really so hard?

Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on us.

Seraphim