This past weekend I found myself engaged in another cyber-debate.  This time, though, it wasn’t within the Orthodox Church, but between us and some Protestants who happen to be great friends of mine.  It turns out (who would’ve thought) that they are offended that we have the “audacity” to make claims on being the “One True Church.”

This is a tiring conversation for me - unlike the intellectually stimulating and productive dialogue that I have with my Roman Catholic brethren.  Not to say that the Protestants cannot have intellectually stimulating discussions (look at C.S. Lewis or even Martin Luther for crying out loud), but it is the case that we usually find ourselves arguing points from completely different world views, at least in regards to ecclesiastical issues.  The point was made to me that all of us in the 21st century have these same philosophical, cultural, sociological predispositions.  But this is simply not true.  When you submit yourselves to the authority of the Church, Roman Catholic or Orthodox, you begin to see things from the viewpoint of that ancient body.  You elevate the letters of St Ignatius of Antioch, who was appointed by St. Peter himself, and the words of the Great Councils above those of, say, some recent conference discussing new ways to exegete Scripture for our times.

All of the issues that were taken up with me this weekend have been dealt with since the beginning of the Reformation.  And they were dealt with by me years ago while I was confronting the claims of the Orthodox Church.  Dialogue between Orthodox and Roman Catholics seems, to me, a quite natural thing.  But because of the stark differences between us and Protestantism, and because of the offensiveness of our claims to them, I have no desire to take up that issue in a venue like this.  I would much rather do it in a private setting where I can ensure that my friendships are not being damaged in some unnecessary way..