Featured Has Hank Hanagraaf left the faith?

My congratulations for finding a novel way to start another thread about alcohol.

 

Then why did you mention it?

 

The Greeks(East) split from the Romans (West) circa 11th century, mostly about the primacy/papacy of Peter. The Greeks have a patriarch instead of a pope. They have most of the same pagan idolatry of Rome, including salvation by works.

The majority of Christendom believes in salvation by works. Now what? This will all sort out at the Bema Seat--or will it?

Many are called; few are chosen. Are we ready?

Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

Bro. James

P.S. I know some Baptists who use wine for the Lord's Supper. How does one make wine without alcohol? Welch's Grape juice is not wine.

 

From their web site (of the Archdiocese of America):

The Orthodox Church has two great sources of authority, Holy Scripture (which includes the Apocrypha, I believe) and Holy Tradition (which, they say, "includes the writings, teachings, and acts of the apostles, saints, martyrs, and fathers of the Church, and her liturgical and sacramental traditions throughout the ages, the oral tradition of the early Church, and the decisions of the Ecumenical Councils").

The Sacraments are "the visible means by which the invisible Grace of the Holy Spirit is imparted to us. Four Sacraments are obligatory: Baptism, Chrismation (anointment with holy oil), Confession, and Holy Communion."

"...the Orthodox Church considers herself the Mother Church of Christendom..." (heads up, Catholics!)

How Are We Saved?

 

I am not annoyed, though you seem to be.

Cheers, Evan.
(That is not meant as an occasion to drink Mike's.)

 

Hank denies that he has denied the faith -- HERE. He makes it sound all well and good -- even quotes Eph. 2:8 -- but he has united with a false church that teaches all sorts of works for salvation.

I understood the Scripture reference, but am not a bit confused about his vitriol. I heard him randomly on the radio, and he didn't come across as vitriolic to me the few times I heard him (but I wasn't especially impressed either).

In his bio at the Christian Research Institute website it says "Hank is deeply committed to equipping Christians to be so familiar with truth that when counterfeits loom on the horizon, they recognize them instantaneously." Seems like he wasn't equipped enough himself to recognize the counterfeit in the Greek Orthodox Church.

 

Vitriol--an interesting word. Jesus' comments towards the scribes, Pharisees, lawyers, and doctors would be considered vitriol by some folks, especially the Most Right Reverend Doctors of Theology. Jesus called them vipers and hypocrites.

Apostle Paul said we are to follow Jesus--only. Everyone else could be and probably are headed for the ditch. We have a respect of persons malady in the ranks of Christendom--not a new dilemma. See: I Cor. 3. Example: read about what C.S. Lewis believed. Many folks who should know better quote C.S. regularly. There are many bible thumpers in the book selling business.

Beware the wolves dressed like sheep.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

Bro. James

 

I know a lot of folks aren't fans of Pulpit and Pen, but I thought the following articles about Hanegraaff were interesting and enlightening, especially the visit to the church that he joined.

Hank Hanegraaff, Greek Orthodoxy, and Patterns in the Cults

Visiting Hank Hanegraaff’s New Greek Orthodox Church

 

But Albert Mohler just had a lecturer in at SBTS who was teaching the seminarians Eastern Orthodox spirituality techniques:

www.baptistboard.com/threads/eastern-orthodox-lecturer-at-sbts.103516/#post-2292698

 

Alpha & Omega Ministries produced an outstanding video on this issue though it is lengthy. I found it to be a fair assessment of both the Orthodox Church and Hank's departure from evangelicalism.