One Man’s Journey Home
by Dave Bugbee
Can a Protestant Evangelical find a home in Orthodoxy? Can a Westerner with no Russian, Greek, Romanian or Arabic background find a home in Orthodoxy? Is this a chasm too wide to be crossed? These were the questions I would seek to answer.
I was raised in a nominally Protestant home and made a commitment to faith in Jesus Christ when I was a college student. I became a devoted Evangelical Protestant. For many years, I was active in Protestant churches, serving in a variety of capacities, as pastor, Bible teacher, youth leader and volunteer youth worker. I had deep fellowship with numerous committed believers and took my spiritual journey and spiritual struggle very seriously.
The years passed. I moved from the East Coast to Colorado and became involved in churches in Colorado. Over time, however, I became restless. I was looking for more depth in my faith, longed for worship not compromised by pop culture, and sought deep roots.
During my travels, I noticed a church with a gold dome. From its appearance, I knew the church to be Orthodox. I knew little about Orthodoxy. I had long been fascinated by Russia and had the vague notion that there was a deep well of spirituality in Russia. But that’s about as much as I knew. One day, I visited that church with the gold dome. If the church seemed to be a “cult,” I would not return. But if I felt at home there, I wanted to explore further. Some Evangelicals were moving in a direction of cultural accommodation that I did not want to go. I was looking for a new church home.
That visit to the church with the gold dome went well. Yes, it was very different in format but I saw and heard nothing to scare me off. To this Evangelical Protestant, the beliefs and words I heard sounded “orthodox.” Nothing sounded heretical or scary.
I resolved that I would take my time. I was not going to rush into anything. I contacted the parish priest of that church to ask for some book recommendations. I was not looking for polemics, I was looking for spiritual nourishment. The books recommended were food for the soul. One of them, in particular, was life-changing.
During subsequent visits, my question became, “Could I in good conscience, as an Evangelical, find a home in Orthodoxy? Were there deal-breakers that would drive me off?”
Certainly there were differences. But I found that the core essentials were the same. Committed believers, whether Evangelical or Orthodox, ultimately sought the same goal: REALITY WITH GOD. I found that the worship in which I participated, the conversations I had, the books I read, connected with the same God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ that I had sought, followed, and known for years.
The decision came slowly and gradually. But the day came when I was ready. I “came home” to Orthodoxy.
I had found a new church home.
I wonder if you could mention the books which were recommended, particularly the one you thought life-changing. Thank you.
I’ve had a similar conversion. Orthodoxy is a deep well, and I hope to draw from it for a long time.
I too, would love to know the titles of the books that had such a positive effect.
Lindy Hamilton
You may wish to contact him at the Source link at the bottom of the article.
I noticed as I am covering from Protestant to Orthodox. Many Orthodox believers think ALL Protestants are the same…and I declare they are NOT.
Many cradle Orthodox do believe that, but we who are converts know better.
I am on a similiar Journey. Could you tell me what books you read.
Jo, the best thing to do is reach out to your local Orthodox priest and parish. They have a multitude of resources.
What books were read that for him were life changing. As someone asked earlier in comments
You will have to contact him at the source link and ask him directly.