SML (July 13): Fr. Barnabas Powell "Why I Became Orthodox"

Fr. Barnabas Powell, an Orthodox priest and online-missionary, shares with Sister Vassa his experience of converting to the Orthodox Church from a Pentecostal background.

[@christopherpandorf9887]

I converted to orthodoxy 2 yrs ago along with my wife and two children also one one the way! If not for deep study and you tube i wouldve never found orthodoxy i never heard of it before. We need to evangelize better, a worship like we have should be more known.

[@MosesMedinaE]

Also as another note, I was raised Pentecostal. I upgraded to Lutheranism in 2012 and graduated to Orthodoxy 14 April 2019 with Chrismation.

[@craigbritton3213]

Thanks Moses. Having some of the same leanings (Foursquare to Lutheran to …)

[@bruderklaus9976]

Ex-Pentecostal, Ex-Lutheran here. ;) Lutheranism is not a place where you want to stay. For me, it prepared me for the next step: Orthodoxy.

[@memymo1310]

That is what I feel: exhausted. My husband and I have been in ministry in protestant churches for 20 years and I have just been ran ragged. I have gone from Pentacostal to Christian church/Disciples of Christ to Reformed/Calvanistic. I am a total spiritual wreck. Orthodoxy seems like a breath of fresh air and a place to rest. Honestly I want a path. I want worship that isn't just an emotional show. I dont want to learn about God, I want to walk with him. But my husband isn't interested , plus there isn't an orthodox church near me...and since my husband is a minister I can't even visit on Sunday to check it out. Please pray for me. Please remember me in your prayers. Lord have mercy.

[@piligrimorthodox9502]

not sure if you will find what are you looking for among orthodox there is no such thing as a perfect church, i mean you may get or not , check among Reformed charismatic and ...have a taste of puritans , May thomas whatson, and church fathers May God Bless You!

[@remcbride2008]

I love Fr Barnabas. He was one of the first that I listened to in my introduction to Orthodoxy. His bootcamp is on video on KZbin.... excellent

[@antonioj.castaneda7377]

IC XC NIKA ☦️ I converted to Holy Orthodoxy about 9 years ago. My wife followed next along with the rest of my immediate family. God is great and merciful.

[@RobFerrellDrumStudio]

Wonderful interview! Sister Vassa you are truly a blessing. I church hopped from 1976-1994 before a Greek girl (who is now my wife) introduced me to Orthodoxy in ‘94. My journey started with a legalistic cult then led to more non-denominational/evangelical churches than I can name. Thank you so much for all you do!

[@vickykentrota9031]

Α much awaited guest!!Thank you Sister Vassa .Love your interviews.God bless you.

[@markdelft1769]

Ex Non Denom, Baptist, presbo-reformed, Lutheran, entered by Holy Baptism and Chrismation, (With my wife of 33 years at the same time.) feast of Holy Transfiguration, July 17, 2019 after a journey of 34 some odd years. Deeply humbled and greatly helped by all the "means of grace" the blessed church gives for the healing of my infirmities.

[@codybrandley6229]

"their error was more beautiful than my correctness" I love this quote

[@TamraGlaserVoice]

Thank you both for this wonderful interview. I'm "newly Orthodox" and the content of your conversation was just another reminder of all the reasons that led to my decision to explore Orthodoxy. God Bless you both.

[@philmattox8500]

Great interview!

[@katybarrett5507]

Tell it Sister! This is a great exchange!

[@margaret5113]

Wonderful, deep concersation! Thank you!

[@lapun47]

What a great conversation! You both seemed to be enjoying chatting to each other so much. It was fun to watch but also very informative. I really appreciated how you linked addiction and lack of community. That really speaks to the modern condition in the west.

[@onionhandler5419]

That's a great highlight. Thanks for posting that. I remember one time when I was traveling back from a funeral and was trying to kick my tobacco habit that when I was traveling with my brother and sister I basically felt no desire/urge or need for the nicotine. I was amazed. This gets elevated though when the community is the vody of Christ because of the action of the Holy Spirit.

[@katybarrett5507]

Thank you Sister Vassa. Journey to Fullness was part of my instruction before joining the Greek Orthodox faith.

[@MosesMedinaE]

Great video and a great guest to have on your show Sister!

[@OlgaIlina-rc6lk]

Здравствуйте, сестра Васса. Спасибо за ваши выпуски(вам, тем, кто их обеспечивает и вашим собеседникам). В последнее время вынуждена была обратить внимание на то, что в России проповедуют с кафедры РПЦ(буду честна, много лет вообще не слушала, хватало собственного богословского образования) -увидела, что Евангелие преподается через призму монашеских практик (причем чуть ли не схимнических) и монашество представляется как вершина человеческого существования , семейные же отношения нужны лишь для продолжения рода(что актуально для язычества, но явно не для христианства). Этого контента очень много и понятно, что проецируется он из уже существующих приходов. Буду благодарна, если обратите на это внимание и может обсудите в своих выпусках

[@susieford3954]

That was me too! I used to ask Father Matthew very often...When can I be Chrismated????? When???? I had been Baptist for 50 years and always in a hurry. 5 years of being Orthodox - I understand more now but learn more daily! It is a joy to be Orthodox!!!!

[@fraukatze3856]

Great interview and guest.

[@deanaburnham9571]

Waiting for the replay

[@stefaniepagonis6126]

Hi sister vassa its amazing how the holy spirit works in people it works in different ways for every individual you and father barnabas are one of many. We sin constantly after baptism I truly believe the holy trinity inside us opens that conscious voice especially when we read the bible new and old testament and pray its that thirst and many more things .I'm living it now the next step for me is confession it will be my first the devil is very crafty with a lot of people of this word including my husband our monastic fathers of Mt Athos (many and one if them is Nikon) said say the Jesus pray and confession it burns the devil he has every excuse under the sun to stop us from confession. May the holy trinity bless you both.😊👍❤

[@Renvere]

My mother only knew about Orthodox Christianity because she had a neighbor that always gave her red eggs on Pascha.

[@darthstemcell]

Hi all. Think I'm second as seen a thumbs up already.

[@VassaLarin]

Oh I'm sorry, Mortis pithlord! Didn't see that you were here first!

[@verntweld51]

You mentioned hierarchy for deciding what goes in liturgy and I was wondering if you knew about Jordan Peterson and Jonathan Pageau on KZbin discussing hierarchy with Paul Vanderclay. I think this is Orthodoxy’s best explanation as to why it is correct worship. Thanks for the coffee

[@VassaLarin]

Yes, I do know about that, Todd.

[@mgkos]

What happened in Soviet Union was as seperate matter. The RO church was kept alive abroad at huge personal, devoted cost post 1917, by those who knew exactly what to do, including bringing icons from out of Russia if the cld (my family) & entire iconostatses in pieces from Harbin, Manchuria (Russian city, 24 cathedrals & churches). Liturgies were & stayed the same as they were in 1917, then post 1990’s, the church went back to extras that made services, as a dear older friend of the family & my Russian school teacher said, “the length of time they were during the reign of Ivan the Terrible”. Lots of small things changed, women’s scarves (we only used them married or older for communion), people wandering around church, backs to Tsarskie Vrata. In cities like St Pburg, it’s ok to wear slacks in church. In parts of US, they hve pews & can sit in RO church. The reunification with Moscow Patriarchy was a huge big deal, loved by many who understood that the church under Soviet Union was so different to post 1990, that Russia was/is, but many held back. France only recently rejoined Moscow, their unhappiness was palpable.

[@vaska1999]

Many Orthodox take pride in the beauty of our liturgy, yet I find I felt much closer to God in the Catholic masses I attended as a school girl than I do in our Orthodox services I attend now. For one, I cannot make out more than at most 30% of what the priests are saying, and the parts of liturgy -- at east 50% of it in fact -- that take place behind the doors that separate the congregation from the altar might as well be taking place in some private service for the priests themselves as the congregation can neither hear nor see nor imaginatively or spiritually participate in them. Btw, Orthodoxy is immeasurably enriched by people like Fr. Powell and the enthusiasm he brings to his life in church. A wonderful interview.

[@dimitrispeiraias]

The liturgy is heaven for a penitent! The heavenly beauty of liturgy cannot be seen clearly without tears in the eyes!

[@Thomas_Geist]

When you overcome your love of hearing yourself speak then maybe you'll have something people need to hear.

[@Thomas_Geist]

Sister (I don't mind referring to you as "sister," but following our Lord's unambiguous instructions I will call no man on Earth spiritual, "Father."), thank you for your "Hearted Comment," but I don't want you to be operating under a false impression. My comments were directed toward your guest and apparent co-religionist.

[@someguy9571]

@@Thomas_Geist Read what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 4:15, and ask yourself if that's what Jesus meant when He said "call no man father".

[@Thomas_Geist]

Some guy Short answer: I will apply Paul’s standard regarding what to do if someone comes preaching another Gospel to Paul himself.

[@dimitrispeiraias]

Thomas, may I ask you how do you call your biological father? Do you call him by his name? Of course, our God is the one and only Father in an absolute sense and you should never call anyone Father in such a sense! Otherwise listen to Paul saying: "for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel." 1 Corinthians 4:15 New International Version

[@Aaryq]

Fr. Barnabas, the Pentecostals have not completely won. There are heaps of Presbyterian and Reformed Baptist congregations that have a rich liturgy and sing exclusively psalms. But I do understand your point.

[@Aaryq]

@Anch Si Pressing X to doubt. Maybe some don't or (more likely) are unfamiliar with the word. But you do not know what you're talking about.

[@Aaryq]

@Anch Si Of course there's a difference. That's not my point. It's factually incorrect to say that Protestants don't have a liturgy. Is it different? For sure. Stop embarrassing yourself.

[@70AD-user45]

@Anch Si What's the difference between the Eastern (Byzantine) Orthodox and the Oriental (Coptic) Orthodox?

[@johannesdekoning9521]

@@Aaryq As a presbyterian we have a liturgy!

[@katybarrett5507]

A-historical. That is a good way to frame it.

[@Aaryq]

Around 16:00 in the church history discussion from protestants, I really think that your brush is just too broad. The Pentecostals and charismatic crowds meets this perfectly but this is very dishonest in my opinion. I dont believe you're intentionally being dishonest though.

[@VassaLarin]

...which is why I say, around 16:00, I'm gonna paint with an overly-broad brush. Or did you miss that disclaimer?

[@Aaryq]

@@VassaLarin oh I heard that for sure. Like I said. I don't think you're trying to be dishonest, sister. But at the same time there are extremely broad distinctions that have to be made. It would be dishonest for me to wrap Anglicans, Roman Catholics, and Coptics in with Eastern Orthodoxy over their liturgy as "pretty much the same" wouldn't it?

[@FaithEncouragedTV]

@@Aaryq Abdul, why would it be dishonest to lump all these liturgical groups together wirth Orthodoxy? The timeless Christian liturgical worship has a common shape and common "telios" in the Eucharistic experience. But Protestantism has such a diverse "Christian" experience of practice that that very diversity is a commonality among the Protestant expressions of the Faith that seem to at least suggest a pause and serious consideration of whether there is a point when a "different" religion is being created. Even the more liturgical groups in Protestantism have varying degrees of theological motivations for even doing liturgy. And it is in the theological underpinnings for the living out of the Faith is what should be considered and examined.

[@costakeith9048]

@@Aaryq I think it is fair to say that all of protestantism and, indeed, all of western Christianity has a lack of continuity throughout history. The extreme case are who have no continuity at all, for others their historical experience goes back to the 19th century, for most the mainline protestant branches it goes back to the reformation, for the Lutherans perhaps back to the Scholastics, the Anglicans have the Venerable Bede, but he's something of an anomaly, after him their history largely picks up with Anselm of Canterbury, though there are some glimpses that precede this that have largely turned into legend. Even for the Catholics, their view of their history largely starts with Charlemagne; there are some glimpses of history from earlier, Augustine, Jerome, Justin Martyr, etc. but there are huge gaps and certainly no continuity. Part of what is responsible for this is language, the Orthodox Church has the great advantage of the unbroken tradition of the Greek language, people in the 15th century could easily read texts written in the 3rd century, you don't have this in the west. Much of the correspondence and treatises of Rome prior to Charlemagne (and for a while after as well) was in Greek, especially their contact with the Eastern Empire and their involvement in the Ecumenical councils, where most of the theological conversations took place, much of what was in Latin was more pastoral than theological. When Rome did switch to being predominately Latin in language and as knowledge of and contact with Greek faded during the 8th to 11th centuries, much of this work became largely inaccessible and knowledge of it faded, this was exacerbated by the rise of theological centers in France, Germany, and England, which hadn't had much contact with the Greek world since centuries before the fall of the Western Empire. This can really be seen in looking at the history of scholasticism, the dominate theological movement of the middle ages in the west. This was developed largely relying on philosophy derived from Aristotelian texts which had been 'rediscovered' from Arabic texts acquired in Spain, which had been translated from the Greek by the Moors. It is clear that those who developed this theological school had very little knowledge of and no direct access to the literature surrounding the great theological controversies of the first millennium, they were not aware of the great century-long theological debates with the Arians and Pneumatomachians, they had not read the Cappadocia Fathers, they were not familiar with the great debates between St. Cyril and Nestorius, they knew nothing of St. Maximos the Confessor and the monoenergist/monothelite issue and the theology that the Sixth Council settled on, and they weren't even aware of the various letters the Popes had sent to the Ecumenical councils. They had, at best, a bare outline in translation to Latin of what those councils had decided, with little linguistic or historical context or understanding of the theological terms employed and they had certainly not read the relevant patristic literature. Now there was certainly a reconnecting with this period of history that occurred in the west in the 18th and 19th centuries (with foreshadowings of it in the 16th and 17th centuries as the reformers placed more emphasis on Greek, the original language of the New Testament) as communications improved, printing became prolific, and numerous of these works were eventually translated from Greek first into Latin and then into French, German, English, etc. But this wasn't so much historical continuity as a patristic renaissance and even to this day it largely remains confined to Roman and high church protestant academic circles and even to this day it is not really an integral part of the collective consciousness and general view of history these Churches have.

[@davidkinasevych8439]

@@FaithEncouragedTV I am most recently benefiting from Fr. Thomas Hopko's podcast series "Worship in Spirit and in Truth." Lex orandi, Lex credendi. True worship informs, establishes, and propagates the true Christian Faith. Deviations from worship in Spirit and Truth lead to, and/or are due to, corruptions in the Faith. I suggest those who watched this wonderful interview check out Fr. Tom's series on AFR.

[@timhennessey7778]

Non-denominational to Coptic orthodox

[@Thomas_Geist]

You converted to Easter Orthodoxy because you learned to read. You know who I am. I would really suggest to you to stop this sort of condescension at least until you paid some dues. Tertulian was a jackass but at least he had done his homework. Congratulations for learning to read, now actually read something before putting large numbers of very good Christians down.

[@joshua_wherley]

What exactly are you trying to say here?

[@Thomas_Geist]

This is pretty weird, I did not write this. I have no explanation.