Eastern Orthodoxy: Through the Lens of Sola Scriptura

Few voices are able to engage Eastern Orthodoxy with both firsthand understanding and deep biblical conviction. Samuel Farag does exactly that. Eastern Orthodoxy: Through the Lens of Sola Scriptura is clear, courageous, and uncompromising in its defense of the gospel of grace.

—Sean DeMars
Pastor of 6th Avenue Community Church, Decatur, AL; Host of the Room for Nuance Podcast; Author of Rebel to Your Will: A Story of Abuse, Father Hunger and Gospel Hope and Health, Wealth, and the (Real) Gospel: The Prosperity Gospel Meets the Truths of Scripture

A man who has lived on the inside of Orthodoxy now calls from the outside. He writes with the intensity of someone delivered from chains he sees being wrapped around others, and with an urgency and pungency born of concern for the purity of the gospel and the well-being of souls. The tone is rugged, the points are sober, and the thrust is sometimes sharp—the warnings are clear because the heart is warm. For those wrestling with the attractions of Eastern Orthodoxy, either for themselves or on behalf of others, this will be a valuable resource.

—Jeremy Walker
Pastor of Maidenbower Baptist Church, Crawley, England; Book Review Editor of The Banner of Truth magazine; Author of Called to be Holy and The Brokenhearted Evangelist

Eastern Orthodoxy has enjoyed a recent surge in popularity. Many have become disillusioned with the shallow preaching and superficial worship offered up in the large, commercial centers that masquerade as “churches.” Seeking something more profound, many are turning toward religious movements that appear to be deeply rooted in truth and history. Unfortunately, they are opting for a form of godliness that lacks the power of the gospel. The Eastern Orthodox Church denies justification by faith alone, the core of the biblical gospel, and is thus an enemy of the truth and an enemy of Christ. Samuel Farag, in his book Eastern Orthodoxy: Through the Lens of Sola Scriptura, does an excellent job of comparing the teachings of Eastern Orthodoxy with the Scriptures. This resource draws clear lines of demarcation between the truth of God and the deceptions and lies of Eastern Orthodoxy. I especially appreciate the gospel emphasis, which will make this a book perfect to hand to someone considering converting to this false church.

—Jim Osman
Pastor of Kootenai Community Church, Kootenai, ID; Author of God Doesn’t Whisper

As an Evangelical Christian talk radio host since 2005, and having been deeply involved in orchestrating numerous live, public, moderated debates on theology since 1996—featuring world-renowned apologists, most of which focused on the most significant doctrinal issues separating Roman Catholicism from historical Evangelical Protestantism—I have keenly recognized for decades how sorely lacking Evangelical apologetics has been in the realm of confronting, exposing, opposing, and refuting Eastern Orthodoxy. Thankfully, by our Sovereign Lord’s grace and mercy, men are beginning to emerge from the darkness of idolatry and heresy at the core of this mysterious religion, who are boldly sounding a clarion call to those enslaved in its clutches (and those contemplating joining its ranks) by presenting vast knowledge, personal experience, and accurate information about how grossly offensive many of its teachings and practices are to a holy God, and how foreign they are to His inerrant Word. One such brother in Christ Jesus is my dear friend, Samuel Farag, who has repented of his allegiance to the Orthodoxy in which he was raised and has become a champion for the Gospel of the Reformation—the Gospel of Christ, as we who are heirs of the Reformation know. In his new, invaluable work, Eastern Orthodoxy: Through the Lens of Sola Scriptura, Samuel seeks to contrast traditions of men born of damning error with inerrant, God-breathed truth. While hurting the feelings of those we love should never become an enjoyable activity for Christians, kindness must never prevent us from our duty to unwaveringly proclaim God’s truth to anyone intentionally or unconsciously offending our Lord, Savior, and King, no matter how hurtful presenting the truth may be. Samuel Farag possesses the wonderful combination of a compassionate heart, vast knowledge of biblical truth, and a gift for articulating it with precision. Read this book prayerfully and carefully, and pass it on to others in need of its contents, whether to improve and empower their evangelistic labors with the Orthodox, or to open the eyes of the Orthodox themselves.

—Chris Arnzen
Host of Iron Sharpens Iron Radio

One of the most pressing challenges facing Protestants today is the bold assertion of Eastern Orthodoxy to be “the one true church.” This claim has gained particular traction among young men searching for a faith rooted in history, stability, and tradition. Yet, for all its confident declarations, much of Eastern Orthodoxy’s actual doctrine and practice stands in stark contrast to the clear teaching of Scripture. That is precisely where this book shines. Drawing from his own firsthand experience growing up in the Coptic Orthodox Church, Samuel Farag offers insights into Orthodox theology and practice that are often mysterious to those of us raised within the structures of Western Christianity. With clarity and biblical fidelity, he exposes the gap between Orthodox claims and biblical truth. This book is an excellent resource for anyone seeking a scriptural response to the claims of the so-called “one true church.” I highly recommend it.

—Keith Foskey
Pastor of Sovereign Grace Family Church, Jacksonville, FL 
Host of the YourCalvinist Podcast

There is a growing epidemic of people raised in evangelical homes and churches abandoning biblical Christianity for Eastern Orthodoxy. Many professing believers are deserting shallow, pragmatic churches in search of deeper historical roots and a style of worship that feels transcendent. This trend increasingly includes those raised in biblically sound churches. Tragically, too many Christians and pastors are unfamiliar with Eastern Orthodoxy and unequipped to respond biblically to its profound doctrinal errors. This book is a timely remedy. Samuel Farag was raised in a branch of the Orthodox Church and saved out of its false gospel. In this book, he provides a well-documented resource that accurately represents Eastern Orthodox teaching and sets forth a compelling biblical defense of “the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints.” Those drawn toward Eastern Orthodoxy, their families and friends, church leaders, and every Christian should read this book. It is a resource I will use and recommend often.

—Dr. Tom Pennington
Pastor-Teacher of Countryside Bible Church, Southlake, TX
Author of A Biblical Case for Cessationism: Why the Miraculous Gifts of the Spirit Have Ended

In this book, Samuel Farag provides a very important introduction to the subject of Eastern Orthodoxy. One of the central benefits of this book is that it provides an accessible introduction to the reader who may have no prior knowledge of the subject. This is an area that every Christian who loves the gospel of grace must become familiar with, especially pastors who are called to defend and care for their flock. We can no longer ignore this. Eastern Orthodoxy, while outwardly attractive to the visual eye and despite its claims to antiquity, is at its core antithetical to the gospel of grace. To distort the gospel is to bring oneself under the anathema of God (Galatians 1:6–9). Pastor Samuel has poured out his heart into this book in a labor of love to see those in Eastern Orthodoxy come to know true freedom and assurance of salvation in Christ. A must-read for all who love the gospel.

—Dr. Tony Costa
Instructor at the University of Toronto 
Pastor of Park Lawn Baptist Church, Toronto, Canada;
Host of Toronto Apologetics; Author of Worship and the Risen Jesus in the Pauline Letters and No King But Christ: The Collapse and Bankruptcy of Secular Worldviews

In Eastern Orthodoxy: Through the Lens of Sola Scriptura, Samuel Farag convincingly demonstrates the Orthodox claim to be the one true church is invalidated by its teachings and practices. Through the presentation of primary source material, Mr. Farag reveals that the very errors of Judaism condemned by Jesus in His day—traditionalism, legalism, antinomianism, ritualism, and asceticism—have been embraced and are actively promoted by the Orthodox church of our day. As a result, Eastern Orthodoxy falls under the same indictment that the Lord Jesus Christ leveled against the Jewish religious leaders of being blind guides who led men into spiritual blindness through traditions in practice and teaching which subvert and invalidate the Word of God and distort the gospel. This book is a much-needed corrective to the errors of Eastern Orthodoxy and a warning to men not to be deceived by false claims. It is an appeal for men to judge, as the Bereans did with Paul, the teachings and practices of Orthodoxy by the ultimate authority of the written Scriptures. Just because an institution is old does not make it right, as we see with Israel. To invalidate the Scriptures and the gospel voids any claims to spiritual authority, and to follow such an institution is to become hardened in spiritual blindness.

—Dr. William Webster
Pastor of Grace Bible Church, Battle Ground, WA 
Founder of Christian Resources; Author of The Church of Rome at the Bar of History and Salvation, the Bible, and Roman Catholicism

In Eastern Orthodoxy: Through the Lens of Sola Scriptura, Samuel Farag addresses one of the most pressing issues of our time. Today, many ideologies, philosophies, movements, and theologies stand directly opposed to the knowledge of God. Christians are often told to “stay quiet” and “not say anything,” for the sake of “convictional kindness” or other such ideas, yet Scripture repeatedly commands us to do the opposite. In twenty-six of the twenty-seven books of the New Testament, Christians are commanded to stand and speak against false teaching. For example, believers are commanded to speak the truth in love, contend for the faith, correct opponents with gentleness, and always be ready to give a defense for the hope that is in us with gentleness and respect. Samuel guides readers, whether new to this topic or well-studied, through a careful and biblical examination of the claims of Eastern Orthodoxy. With clarity, precision, and the heart of the pastor-theologian that he is, he demonstrates that its teachings do not align with the biblical standard. Like the Bereans of Acts 17, and in obedience to 1 Thessalonians 5:21, readers are urged to test all things and hold fast to what is good in the Word of God alone. Along the way, Samuel offers not only a robust biblical analysis but also a rich journey through church history. Eastern Orthodoxy: Through the Lens of Sola Scriptura opens the reader’s eyes to the truth of God’s Word, modeling biblical clarity and discernment in an age that discourages both. Whether you are exploring these questions for the first time or seeking to deepen your understanding, this book is a faithful and steady guide, grounded in Scripture, informed by church history, and centered on the glory of Christ revealed in His Word. I wholeheartedly recommend it.

—Dave Jenkins
Executive Director of Servants of Grace; President and Executive Editor of Theology for Life; Host of Equipping You in Grace and Contending for the Word; Author of Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime and The Word Matters: Defending Biblical Authority against the Spirit of the Age

The Eastern Orthodox Church beckons those who seek mysticism, such as the ex-new agers whom I disciple. I am grateful for this careful and comprehensive resource from Pastor Samuel Farag. In Eastern Orthodoxy: Through the Lens of Sola Scriptura, Pastor Farag exposes unbiblical and spiritually dangerous teachings through clear explanations. Pastor Farag writes with the insight of someone who once lived inside that system and now firmly stands upon Scripture. This is an important reference book that I highly recommend.

—Doreen Virtue
Co-Host of the New Age to New Heart Podcast 
Author of Eve’s Pagan Daughters

Pastor Samuel Farag brings a rare depth and sincerity shaped by his journey from Eastern Orthodoxy to Reformed Baptist conviction. I am so encouraged by his passion for Scripture, theological clarity, and faithfulness to the gospel. It is evident in everything he writes. This book will be especially meaningful for readers seeking to think deeply about doctrine while remaining anchored in biblical truth.

—Jenn Nizza
Host of the Ex-Psychic Saved Podcast 
Co-Host of the New Age to New Heart Podcast; Author of From Psychic to Saved and Out of the New Age and Into the Truth

The reader will be amazed at the information in this book. Pastor Farag carefully explains and exposes the beliefs of Eastern Orthodoxy, clearly showing where such beliefs conflict with the Bible. Christians who want to be informed on Eastern Orthodoxy or would like to be prepared to talk to those attracted to it should read this book. Farag’s clear writing with eye-opening examples makes it hard to put the book down.

—Marcia Montenegro
Founder of Christian Answers for the New Age 
Missionary with Fellowship International Mission 
Author of SpellBound: The Paranormal Seduction of Today’s Kids