Rock and Sand

An Orthodox Appraisal of the Protestant Reformers and Their Teachings

De: Archpriest Josiah Trenham

Narrado por: Father Josiah Trenham

This audiobook has been made for three purposes. First, to provide the Orthodox listener with a competent overview of the history of Protestantism and its major traditions, from its beginnings in the 16th century to the present day. This overview relies heavily upon the Reformer's own words as well as the creeds of various Protestant faiths in order to avoid misrepresentation and caricature.

Second, to acquaint Orthodox and non-Orthodox listeners with a narrative of the historical relations between the Orthodox East and the Protestant West.

Finally, to provide a summary of Orthodox theological opinion on the tenets of Protestantism.

©2018 Archpriest Josiah Trenham (P)2019 Archpriest Josiah Trenham

A treat

I learned so much and Enjoyed every minute of this book. I would recommend to everyone interested in church history and the differences between Protestants and the orthodoxy.

Illuminating

Very informative and helpful in discerning what is orthodox from my Protestant up bringing! Helped me recognize where some of the thinking I encountered in Protestantism came from.

Truth be told

I, myself was Protestant (Pentecostal) and became Orthodox. It’s been hard trying to reconcile those I love who reject Orthodoxy yet claim a deep love for Christ. Are they in the church or apart of Christ’s body, or not? This book is generous and truthful about Protestantism while giving a valid claim to Orthodoxy. I pray the Lord puts the right question’s upon each of our hearts and may He guide us into all truth.

The well laid out discussion on reformed theology

Instrumental in my conversion to Orthodoxy. I was humbled by my lack of knowledge of the true church and impressed with the loving tone of the author

clear and illuminating primer on the reformation

read by the author, this book was educational, encouraging, and humbling as a new Orthodox convert.

Very Informative and Fairly Presented

As a layperson I was able to follow and understand the positions covered. Very helpful!

Excellent

I would recommend Dan Carlin's Hardcore History podcast series called "Prophets of Doom" for a deeper dive into some of the Reformation-caused turmoil briefly mentioned in this book.

Wonderful!

Recommended reading for any Protestant whose never heard the Orthodox version of church history! Very abrasive, but right to the point.

Compelling

I like the clarity of the orthodox beliefs, especially when it comes to scripture and interoperating it.

A Pointed Appeal

AT A GLANCE:
If you haven't guessed by the title, the "Rock" represents the stability of Orthodoxy while the "Sand" represents the ever-changing nature of Protestant theology. This is a polemical work, and unashamedly so.

CONTENT:
The Protestant reformers are examined individually, with most of the time naturally going to Luther and Calvin's magisterial reformations. We are given a decent amount of historical context for each and clearly informed where their teachings diverge from historic Christian orthodoxy. The accounts are generally well-sourced and the arguments display a high degree of scholarship. Though combative, this is less a "Syllabus of Errors" and more like a selection from John Damascene. There is a clear admiration for Protestant evangelism and their high view of Scripture. The book ends with a set of letters and treatises on the topic dated 1672 - 1912.

NARRATOR:
Fr Trenham is an academically-accomplished archpriest in the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) with a focus on Patristic studies, especially St John Chrysostom. He was once a Calvinist and this is often apparent in his style; his tone is biting and his rhetoric forceful. His popular work and teaching engages American culture from a highly traditional perspective, framing Orthodoxy as a bedrock of reason free from modernist leanings and the development of doctrine. One of his stated goals is to avoid triumphalism and he succeeds at first, though beginning around Chapter 14 this goal is largely abandoned.

OVERALL:
If you've ever wondered what the historical Eastern Orthodox position is towards Protestantism, this is an excellent resource. It is unfettered by modern ecumenical tendencies and follows lines of argument supported by saints in the author's tradition. Granted, many Orthodox will take issue with his tone and how the emphasis strays from focus on Christian unity; nonetheless, I appreciate that Fr Trenham is willing to stare headlong at real ideological differences and bring them into the open rather than concealing or glossing over them.