Eastern Orthodoxy: Through the Lens of Sola Scriptura

The rising trend of evangelicals converting to Eastern Orthodoxy calls for careful, biblical examination. What are we to make of the Eastern Orthodox Church? Are they our brothers and sisters in Christ? Has their faith truly been unchanged since the time of the apostles? In Eastern Orthodoxy: Through the Lens of Sola Scriptura, Pastor Samuel Farag, raised in the Coptic tradition yet graciously brought to the light of the gospel, examines these questions through the only sufficient, certain, and infallible standard of all saving knowledge, faith, and obedience: the Word of God. If you or someone you know is intrigued by the appeal of Eastern Orthodoxy, this is an essential, biblically saturated guide.  

200 pages.

Foreword:

For most Evangelicals in the United States, Eastern Orthodoxy in all its variant forms is a strange, foreign religion, with smells and bells, long services, haunting chants, and images, so, so many images. The ornate clerical garb and the fact that they make no effort, it seems, at all, to express their beliefs and worship in a way understandable to Westerners only adds to the mystery. Add to this the fact that there are many branches—some acknowledging the others, some not—and the confusion only grows.

Samuel Farag was born and raised in the Coptic Orthodox Church. Though not in communion with the broader Eastern Orthodox churches, the historical origination, practices, and beliefs of the churches are very close. This is particularly the case regarding the gospel and how one has peace with God. The differences in this area are minimal, if they exist at all. And that is Samuel’s focus in this book. Though he discusses many of the issues that function as roadblocks to the presentation of the biblical gospel of grace to those who have embraced the formal practices and theology of Eastern Orthodoxy, the focus is always on peace with God and how it is obtained in the preaching of the apostles of Jesus recorded for us in Scripture.

The advent of international travel and especially the internet has brought Eastern Orthodoxy into contact with Evangelicalism outside the native territories of both. Orthodoxy is not inherently evangelistic. It has always been deeply attached to the culture, starting off as the official Byzantine state religion around the year 800. But as it has begun to spread in popularity across the globe, it has inevitably changed and been challenged by the people it encounters. Samuel Farag’s call to Eastern Orthodox to consider fundamental issues that are rarely aired in Orthodox nations—specifically, how one has peace with God—is a necessary act of kindness and love.

In Eastern Orthodoxy: Through the Lens of Sola Scriptura, Samuel calls Christ’s people to examine the claims of Eastern Orthodoxy through the only lens that God has given to us, and which can produce a clear and, most importantly, consistent picture: God-breathed Scripture. Men’s traditions, no matter how ancient they may be, are always to be tested by God’s speech, God’s Word. If you desire to be prepared to direct your Eastern Orthodox friends and family toward peace with God, this work is for you.

—Dr. James R. White
Phoenix, January, 2026