The Quiet Rise of
Orthodox Christianity
In recent years, a surprising movement has gained momentum: the rise of Orthodox Christianity, especially among Western Christians.
Whether through viral YouTube videos of Orthodox liturgies, podcasts
hosted by former Protestants, or converts like Hank Hanegraaff (the “Bible
Answer Man”) making headlines for joining the Eastern Orthodox Church,
many are asking:
Why are so many Christians responding to—and even converting to—Orthodox
Christianity?
This shift isn’t just a passing trend. It’s a sign of deeper longings
among believers in an age of spiritual confusion, cultural upheaval, and
theological division.
In this post, we explore:
- What Orthodox Christianity
actually is
- Why Christians are drawn to it
- What’s missing in many modern
churches
- What Protestants can learn
without compromising the gospel
What Is Orthodox Christianity?
Orthodox Christianity—often called Eastern Orthodoxy—is one of the
oldest branches of Christianity, tracing its heritage back to the apostolic
age and the early church fathers.
It officially split from Roman Catholicism in 1054 A.D. during the
Great Schism, and it remains rooted in ancient traditions like:
- The Divine Liturgy
(especially the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom)
- Veneration of saints and icons
- A theology shaped by the early
ecumenical councils
- A sacramental and mystical view
of salvation (called theosis)
The Orthodox Church emphasizes continuity with the ancient church,
beauty in worship, and holistic transformation into the image of
Christ.
The Surge: Why Are Christians Paying
Attention?
1. Disillusionment
with Modern Evangelicalism
Many evangelical Christians are growing weary of:
- Celebrity pastors and scandals
- Shallow, performance-driven
worship
- Doctrinal confusion or
theological minimalism
- Church models that feel more like
marketing than ministry
Orthodoxy, by contrast, offers a slow, sacred, ancient approach to
Christianity that feels timeless and unshaken by cultural trends.
2. A Hunger for
Sacredness and Mystery
Orthodox Christianity does not attempt to explain away every mystery
in neat theological categories. Instead, it embraces mystery in its
worship and theology.
In a world dominated by information and instant gratification, many
Christians crave:
- Stillness and reverence
- Transcendence in worship
- A God who cannot be fully
understood or controlled
3. Historical Depth
and Continuity
Orthodoxy connects believers directly to the early church—its
teachings, writings, and liturgical practices. For those tired of constant “new
church movements,” Orthodoxy offers the unchanging faith once delivered to
the saints (Jude 1:3).
This is especially appealing in a generation that prizes authenticity
and roots.
4. The Beauty of
Worship
Orthodox churches are known for their:
- Icon-filled sanctuaries
- Chanted liturgies
- Incense, processions, and ancient
prayers
- Emphasis on communal
participation over performance
For Christians burned out on LED lights, fog machines, and “church as a
concert,” Orthodoxy provides an aesthetic and spiritual return to beauty.
5. Holistic View of
Salvation (Theosis)
Instead of focusing only on legal forgiveness of sins (as in some
evangelical models), Orthodoxy teaches that salvation is a lifelong
transformation into Christlikeness.
This idea of theosis (union with God) appeals to believers who
want a more embodied, lifelong discipleship, not just a ticket to
heaven.
Key Converts Making Headlines
- Hank Hanegraaff, the “Bible Answer Man,” shocked
many when he joined the Orthodox Church in 2017
- Jonathan Pageau, an Orthodox iconographer and
public thinker, has attracted a large Christian audience online
- Rod Dreher, author of The Benedict
Option, converted to Orthodoxy and writes frequently about its
cultural relevance
- Peter Gillquist and a group of former Campus
Crusade for Christ leaders brought over 2,000 evangelicals into Orthodoxy
in the 1980s
Are Evangelicals Converting or Just
Listening?
Not all evangelicals are converting to Orthodoxy—but many are learning
from it.
Podcast downloads, YouTube channels, and Orthodox books are drawing in:
- Protestant theologians seeking
ancient voices
- Charismatics seeking liturgical
depth
- Young Christians seeking
reverence and beauty
You don’t have to convert to appreciate the richness of Orthodoxy.
What Are the Concerns?
While Orthodoxy has much to offer, not all responses are without caution.
1. Doctrinal
Differences
- Orthodox Christians reject key
Protestant doctrines like Sola Scriptura and Sola Fide (faith
alone)
- They hold to apostolic
succession, a different understanding of justification, and additional
Scriptures (the Deuterocanon)
2. Potential for
Over-Romanticizing
Some Protestants may idealize Orthodoxy without fully understanding its
challenges:
- Ethnic divisions in some Orthodox
churches
- Long and rigorous catechism
process
- Complex theological terms and
practices
3. Icons and
Veneration
Orthodox Christianity uses icons for prayer and veneration—not worship.
However, many Protestants find this practice difficult to reconcile with the Second
Commandment.
What Can Evangelical and Protestant
Churches Learn?
Even without converting, churches can draw valuable lessons:
1. Recovering Beauty in Worship
We don’t need icons to recover beauty. But we can:
- Slow down our services
- Incorporate reverent prayer
- Embrace Scripture readings,
silence, and symbol
2. Teach Church
History and the Early Fathers
Most evangelicals know little about Athanasius, Chrysostom,
or Basil the Great. These voices deepen our faith and connect us to the
global Body of Christ.
3. Balance Word and
Sacrament
Orthodoxy’s sacramental theology challenges us to value:
- The Lord’s Table
- Baptism as a covenant, not just a
symbol
- Tangible expressions of grace
4. Emphasize
Holiness, Not Just Conversion
Many modern churches focus on decision-making—Orthodoxy focuses on formation.
The call is not just to believe, but to be transformed over a lifetime.
Ancient Faith in a Modern
World
The rise of Orthodox Christianity is not a rejection of Christ—it’s a cry
for more of Him.
Christians are tired of the shallow, the trendy, and the man-centered.
They are hungry for:
- A church that looks like the
early church
- A God who is holy and mysterious
- A faith that transforms, not just
informs
Whether or not one converts, the Orthodox tradition is waking up the
Western church to something we’ve long forgotten:
God is holy. His church is sacred. And Christianity didn’t begin in the
20th century.
Post a Comment