Just What Does Orthodoxy Have to say about "Universalism", aka "Universal Salvation", etc.


Introduction.


Well decided to get together a few basic points for an essay. And will try to develope them more in future posts. And from there I most likely will talk to some of the theologically inclined folks at Orthodoxychristianity.net (Some of which are Seminarians at Orthodox seminaries like St. Vlads etc.). This topic already has been covered directly or indirectly a good 14 times or so in my absence, but some of ideas, questions, and assertions haven't been brought up before. So I will probably start a whole new thread talking about if from another angle.


(I almost actually cancelled this project because of point 1) & 4) combined).


1) It's not our problem. It's basically a Protestant problem. And arises from Protestant ways of doing things, especially when it comes to willfully going against established Church Dogma.


2) It however is a confusing issue, depending on how you define it. So while there is an aspect that is heretical, certain people such as Kallistos Ware, many Church Fathers, the current Ecumenical Patriarch, and myself could be considered Universalists just because we have some vague hope that God might show some kind of mercy for those people who are outside the Church and Faith in the afterlife.


3) Universalists are right on much of their depiction of Church history. While I would love to make it black and white for the sake of simplicity, church history and theology is often gray and/or checkered.


4) Universalists however are extremely dismissive of the way the Church has handled dogmatic teaching. They use strawmen tactics, false analogies and other under handed means to support their personal dogma. As much as any Protetant who says, "The Church became pagan after Emperor Constantine came to power".

Universalists also use a reverse method to proove their point. Or more exactly, in areas of Epistemology, Law, and science, the burden of proof is always on the person making the claim. Universalists (like many Protestants and others) will attempt to shift the burden of proof over to the establishement. That it up to us to proove that their dogma is wrong and of course willfully dismissing all the things are infact brought up.

In this way, Strong Universalism (as opposed to a vague hope of it as shown by many Orthodox) personifies "heresy". Heresy as one Orthodox priest defined it, "Is not just believing a wrong doctrine" (anybody can do that), a heretic is a person who stubbornly clings and insists on a doctrine, even after being showm "time and time again that they are wrong". It stubbornness, literally "Choosing" in the greek. The word first came to be used for the forming of sects/ political parties in Judaism, and now it stands for those who choose to "Go there own way", as that old 70s band, "Fleetwood Mac" use to sing.


5) Many Universalists groups are heretical in other ways. They deny such things as the Inspiration of Scripture, The Trinity, the Divinity of Christ, the Virgin birth and many other dogmas held by not only Orthodox Christians, but even by many liberal Protestants. This last point to me really says it all. (I don't think I will talk about it seperately, but it will be discused in terms of point 4). ).

http://illustmaker.abi-station.com/index_en.shtml