Deacon Andrei Kuraev

Foreword 1

Conflict of Interpretations 3

Christian Confessions and Historical Epochs 17

"Christ the Saviour": A View from the East and from the West 24

Is it possible to baptize children? 32

Icon in the Bible 38

Why a Priest Is Called "Father" 55

In what way is Orthodoxy worse than Protestantism? 60

History After Christ: Waste or Hoarding? 67

Was the Last Supper the last? 81

An Appeal to Adventists 99

Russia on the Threshold of the Counter-Reformation 113

Methods of Dispute with Protestants 130

Notes 136

Preface

With a student of St. Tikhon's Orthodox Theological Institute, where I teach, once there was an incident that was both funny and characteristic.

Like any young Muscovite, he has already been repeatedly harassed by street preachers. Usually they start a conversation with an invitation: "Would you like to come to our party (meeting, student circle, seminar, etc.)?" He had already learned to recognize his excessively sociable peers from sects from afar, and therefore, when another smiling couple headed towards him at the subway station, he inwardly prepared to immediately rebuff them so as not to waste time on arguments.

But he had prepared an answer to one question, and he was asked another. As a result, the dialogue took place as follows: "Tell me, do you believe in God?" – "No, I am Orthodox!"

Of course, avoiding the challenges of Protestants, from explanations with them is not always useful and not for everyone. So, despite the fact that this book is called "For Protestants about Orthodoxy", it is not intended only for Protestants. It is also for those Orthodox who intend not to shy away from the invitations and challenges of Protestant preachers, but to defend their Church by entering into discussion with them. In addition, it can be useful for those Orthodox people who simply want to know their spiritual tradition.

A few years ago, it seemed to the people of the Church that the glacial atheistic period would end, people's souls would begin to freeze from the vulgarity of materialism and unbelief, and gradually the people would return to their spiritual history, to their traditions, to Orthodoxy.