This is why I think it is much better to read people like (now Metropolitan) Ware and Met. Anthony of Sorozh or Alexander Schmemann instead of me.
Chesterton is a good second.
It is a fact that Baptists are a mainline denomination of Protestantism and not a fringe group, so my experience as a Baptist does give me some experience of that which is common in Protestantism. Of course I do not claim they they are the epitome or that all Protestants share their beliefs.
The prime thing we differ on is not the authority of Scripture, but the authority that
interprets Scripture. I hold that for the Protestant, while churches, pastors and thinkers can be very helpful, the ultimate authority is self, with the belief/hope that the Holy Spirit will guide one to the Truth. I see that as incorrect, seeing as so many people come to so many contradictory 'truths' through Scripture. In Orthodoxy, we admit that our opinions are just that, and if the Church makes a dogmatic proclamation, we must pack our opinions away and trust the authority of the Church.
Again, don't look to me as a primary authority on Orthodoxy. I'm a layman of several years, and like a child of 4 discovers about his parents, have constantly found that the Church is right, even when I don't like it. I just happen to be a lone Orthodox guy on this forum, because I love Lewis's works - they were foundational in bringing me to Orthodoxy. It is really cool to be in a church that has been operating pretty much the same way for nearly 2,000 years!
Read the authorities listed above, people who are light years ahead of me for a more correct understanding of Orthodoxy. See the official websites, like
www.oca.org for official info, doctrine and teachings.
"Eh? Two views? There are a dozen views about everything until you know the answer. Then there's never more than one."
Bill "The Blizzard" Hingest - That Hideous Strength