How do youlovingly share the gospel with Eastern Orthodox friends without simply arguingabout theology?

Former missionaryto Russia Matt Spann explains the principles behind his influential guide,Witnessing to People of Eastern Orthodox Background: Turning Barriers of Beliefinto Bridges to Personal Faith.

Drawing on yearsof ministry among Russian Orthodox people, Matt explains:

• whyunderstanding Orthodox culture matters

• the biggestbarriers to personal faith in Christ

• authority andtradition

• grace,salvation and the cross

• icons, saintsand religious identity

• how to turndifficult conversations into gospel opportunities

• practicalprinciples for evangelising Orthodox friends with humility and love

Rather thanattacking Orthodoxy, this conversation encourages Christians to understandOrthodox beliefs so they can present Christ clearly, biblically and graciously.

🔔 If you found this helpful, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and sharewith a friend.

▶️YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/@EvangelisingEasternOrthodoxy

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Free download ofMatt Spann's invaluable training resource "Witnessing to People of EasternOrthodox Background" available at

https://eeo.net.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Witnessing-to-People-of-Eastern-Orthodox-Background.pdf

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00:00 What DoEastern Orthodox Christians Believe About God?

00:53 How toEvangelise Eastern Orthodox Christians

01:08 MattSpann’s Guide to Witnessing to Orthodox People

01:48 A BaptistMissionary’s Experience in Russia

03:22 Sharing theGospel in Post-Communist Russia

04:39 HowMissionaries Evangelise Across Cultures

06:12 WhyUnderstanding Culture Matters in Evangelism

09:19 How RussianOrthodox Culture Shapes Belief

11:50 ReachingCultural Christians With the Gospel

20:00 PersonalFaith vs Orthodox Religious Practice

22:37 WhyOrthodox Christians Pray to Saints

24:23 How CanOrthodox Christians Have Assurance of Salvation?

27:49Understanding Sin and the Cross in Eastern Orthodoxy

32:22 Why theGospel of Justification Matters

48:02 Sharing theGospel Across Orthodox Cultural Barriers

50:03 Does ChurchMembership Guarantee Salvation?

51:33 How to LeadOrthodox Friends to Personal Faith in Jesus

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📘 Certainty for Life: An Invitation for those in EasternOrthodoxy

https://certaintyforlife.com/

🎓 Free Training Course – Evangelising Eastern Orthodoxy

https://eeo.net.au/

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What is behindthe attraction to Eastern Orthodoxy? Is it the promise of spiritualtransformation, holiness, divine glory and becoming more like God?

In this episodeof Evangelising Eastern Orthodoxy, we explore Martin Luther’s distinctionbetween a theology of glory and a theology of the cross and consider how thisdistinction helps evangelicals understand Orthodox spirituality and communicatethe Gospel more clearly to their Orthodox friends.

Drawing onLuther’s Heidelberg Disputation, we examine three crucial questions:

1. Where is Godmost clearly revealed?

Does theChristian discover God primarily through divine glory, spiritual experience andparticipation in God—or does God reveal himself decisively in the weakness,suffering and apparent defeat of the cross?

2. How aresinners reconciled to God?

Through theosis, cooperation with divine grace and spiritualtransformation or the biblical teaching that our righteousness before Godrests on the finished work of Jesus Christ, received through faith.

3. What is thereal problem with sin?

Is sin primarilya sickness that prevents our spiritual progress, or is it also our guilt andrebellion before a holy God?

We also explorewhy the resurrection cannot be separated from the cross, why human achievementcannot secure our standing before God, and how Christ’s finished work provideshope when our spiritual discipline fails.

🔔 If you found this helpful, then LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and share witha friend.

▶️YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@EvangelisingEasternOrthodoxy

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00:00 Theosis vsthe Cross: What Orthodoxy is Running Towards

00:39 MartinLuther’s Theology of Glory Explained

01:21 Can WeClimb the Ladder to God?

02:33 Where IsGod Most Clearly Revealed?

03:23 EasternOrthodoxy, Theosis and Divine Glory

04:06 OrthodoxEaster: Resurrection vs the Cross

05:03 Luther’sTheology of the Cross Explained

06:18 Why theCross Shatters Spiritual Ascent

07:07 How AreSinners Reconciled to God?

07:45 Theosis,Synergy and Salvation by Grace

09:17Justification by Faith vs Spiritual Transformation

10:36 Does SinSeparate Us From God?

11:36 EasternOrthodoxy’s View of Sin and Salvation

13:21 Why JesusHad to Die for Our Sins

15:32 How toShare the Gospel With Orthodox Friends

16:38 Does theCross Lead to Christian Transformation?

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📘 Certainty for Life: An Invitation for those in EasternOrthodoxy

https://certaintyforlife.com/

🎓 Free Training Course – Evangelising Eastern Orthodoxy

https://eeo.net.au/

📡 RSS Feed

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🌐 All Podcast Platforms

https://pod.link/1878240547

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Music- YouTubeAudio:

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In this episode Iinterview Archie Poulos and discuss the principles of Orthodox evangelism wecan draw from an example of a congregation directed at that goal.

In this episode,Archie explains:

• How the GreekBible Fellowship began

• Why Greekbackground people often struggle to visit non Orthodox churches

• The power offamily, culture, and identity in shaping faith

• Why ethnicspecific ministries can open doors others can’t

• Real stories ofpeople who encountered Jesus through the Scriptures

• The pressures,misunderstandings, and spiritual obstacles many face

• Howevangelicals can wisely and lovingly minister to Orthodox friends today

Archie alsoshares deeply personal stories — from family conflict to pastoral heartbreak —and the surprising ways God used a small, culturally sensitive ministry tobring clarity, hope, and the gospel to people who felt spiritually stuck.

This conversationwill give you wisdom, compassion, and practical insight for reaching heartsshaped by culture, history, and family expectations.

📌 You'll find Part 1

👉 "Faith Beyond Culture: A Greek Australian Testimony"at https://youtu.be/AJNAWK_QeeM

🔔 If you found this helpful, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and sharewith a friend.

▶️YouTube

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00:00 – “ButWe’re Orthodox”: A Childhood Awakening

00:46 – MeetArchie Poulos: A Greek at an Anglican College

01:24 – GrowingUp Greek… Without an Orthodox Church

03:28 – Sent tothe Protestants: Where I Met Jesus

06:56 – Confirmedin a Fish & Chip Shop

11:40 – “Will GodWelcome You?” A Greek Mother Finds Peace

14:20 – God’sKindness in a Lifetime of Steady Growth

17:30 – Why SomeGreeks Convert: Truth, Salvation & Authenticity

19:57 – The Powerof Scripture to Transform Orthodox Hearts

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📘 Certainty for Life: An Invitation for those in EasternOrthodoxy

https://certaintyforlife.com/

🎓 Free Training Course – Evangelising Eastern Orthodoxy

https://eeo.net.au/

📡 RSS Feed

https://anchor.fm/s/10f48e33c/podcast/rss

🌐 All Podcast Platforms

https://pod.link/1878240547

🍎 Apple Podcasts

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/evangelising-eastern-orthodoxy/id1878240547

🟢 Spotify

https://open.spotify.com/show/6S5Um4hIK86Ayd9wv1EfZk?si=11524b33dbed4adb

📸 Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/eeorthodoxy

#GreekOrthodox#OrthodoxChristianity #GreekAustralian #Testimony #ChristianTestimony#GreekCulture #EasternOrthodoxy #BibleTeaching #FaithJourney #GreekCommunity#OrthodoxBackground #Evangelism #conversionstory #conversion