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My husband is from a Greek Orthodox background and I am Protestant. I understand, now, that many of the conflicts we have struggled through have historical roots and are, in large part, due to the different viewpoints of East versus West. I believe that Eastern Christians love their church like a child loves his mother—emotionally, unconditionally, and personally dependent. Western faith is more … rational, intellectual … and personally independent.

Valerie Begakis
Pacific Palisades, California

One has only to observe how the average Orthodox Christian treats icons, and how the theology of "inspiration" (similar to that of the writing of Holy Scripture) has developed around the creation of icons to know that the line between worshiping the creature and worshiping the Creator has been crossed long ago.

The Rev. Quintin Marrow
Oceanside, California

Last week I stumbled across your publication at a local Free Methodist college, and what caught my eye was the icon of the Three Holy Hierarchs that graced the cover. As an Orthodox priest, I am gratified to see the exceptionally positive way you present Orthodoxy. We Orthodox don't always get good press.

Father Michael Butler
Jackson, Michigan

Two things I liked: (1) Patriarch Bartholomew's distinction between the visible church and the invisible church of the Holy Spirit—defining clearly the extent to which the Orthodox Church is actually sectarian, a point many converts to the Orthodox Church fail to see; and (2) the thoughtful piece given to Symeon the New Theologian.

[Nonetheless] you fail to mention how the Orthodox buried St. Symeon's writings in obscurity and have to this day paid him almost no honor. Even today one is constantly warned to take St. Symeon in an "Orthodox context."

James James
Destin, Florida

I was concerned that Daniel Clendenin, in his "Did You Know?" article, left the impression that there is no clear doctrine of salvation in the Orthodox Church. I disagree. I quote from the notes found in the Orthodox Study Bible (Thomas Nelson):

"Salvation includes a process of growth of the whole person whereby the sinner is changed into the image and likeness of God. One is saved through faith manifested by works of righteousness, whereby we cooperate with God to do his will. No person can earn justification by works of righteousness, for justification is the gift of God given to those who respond to the gospel with faith. Saving faith is not mere belief but a commitment to Christ that is manifested by works of righteousness."

Joe Goss
America Online

To most of us in the West, Orthodoxy is another world, sometimes compelling, always foreign. Most evangelicals are uncomfortable with its otherworldly worship, its emphasis on the transfiguration of the created world (especially art), and its totally un-Western perspective. Not only are her answers different but so are her questions!

Joel Cruz
America Online

Please mention a more extensive Web site [than the one you mentioned] for Orthodox information: The Orthodox Christian Information Center (http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/main/orthodox.htm).

Thomas J. Wiswell
Jacksonville, Florida

When he was asked what issues most concerned the Orthodox, Bartholomew I answered (1) unbelief, (2) secularism, (3) decrease in spirituality, and (4) loss of hope [page 43]. It would seem that these four concerns could fit every professing church in Christendom.

R. A. Douglas
Woodslee, Ontario

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