Answer:It’s possible, although they wouldn’t be saved on account of their distinctive Eastern Orthodox Christian beliefs. All salvation comes by Jesus Christ and through his one Catholic Church.

Are we already saved in Orthodoxy?

Before getting into the passage from Hebrews, there are a few things that need to be stated. First, Orthodoxy, unlike some Protestant bodies, does not hold to the notion that we are “already saved.” For Orthodox Christians, salvation is a process, not a once-and-done event.

What do the Eastern Orthodox believe about salvation?

They believe that salvation lies within the Orthodox church alone. Like the Roman Catholic church, the Eastern Orthodox also reject the doctrine of the authority of Scripture alone, declaring it to be the great heresy of the Reformation. They believe that Protestants in particular have departed from the true faith.

Does the Eastern Orthodox Church speak with a clear message?

While the Eastern Orthodox Church has claimed some of the church’s great voices, and while there are many in the Orthodox tradition that have a genuine salvation relationship with Jesus Christ, the Orthodox church itself does not speak with a clear message that can be harmonized with the biblical gospel of Christ.

What is the Eastern Orthodox Church?

Question: What is the Eastern Orthodox Church and what are the beliefs of Orthodox Christians?. Answer: The Eastern Orthodox Church is not a single church but rather a family of 13 self-governing bodies, denominated by the nation in which they are located (e.g., the Greek Orthodox Church, Russian Orthodox Church).

What was the problem Paul was addressing?

What was the problem Paul was here addressing? The churches in Galatia had perverted the doctrine of justification and confused the roles of faith and works. Far from being minor issues, these matters were and are of the essence of the Gospel, as defined by no less an authority than the Apostle Paul! Therefore, it is important for us, even as we acknowledge the many fine descriptions of salvation made by Orthodox theologians, that we call Orthodox people with whom we have contact to a new appreciation of these Biblical truths. We also should remember, however, that Eastern Orthodoxy has not officially rejected Protestant positions on issues of salvation, as the Roman Catholic Church has. Whereas the Roman church in the Council of Trent anathematized those believing that justification is by faith alone, the Eastern church has never officially defined its position on these matters. John Meyendorff made this interesting statement: "Byzantine theology did not produce any significant elaboration of the Pauline doctrine of justification expressed in Romans and Galatians." 4 Meyendorff apparently has no problem with the idea that there is a specific doctrine of justification in Paul’s writings. He states only that Byzantine (that is, Orthodox) theology has not developed it. Therefore, we may perhaps hope that Orthodoxy will someday soon develop its theology in this area. It would not require a radical rejection of their ecclesiastical creeds, as a similar move would for Roman Catholicism.

What is the process of salvation called?

There is one concept which is of far greater importance than any other: salvation consists of the process of "theosis" (alternatively called "deification" or "divinization"), the process of human beings becoming "gods.". As Athanasius famously exclaimed, "For he (Christ) became man that we might become divine.".

What is Eastern Orthodoxy?

Eastern Orthodoxy: The What and How of Salvation. In this article we will examine Orthodox theology in its description of what "salvation" means for individuals and of the means by which individuals come to possess it. It is important to note at the outset that though Orthodox theologians do often speak of the incarnation as itself uniting …

Why was Adam created in the image of God?

Before the fall, Adam was created in the image of God and called to grow in communion with God. But because of his sin, the image of God in him was damaged, and he was made unable to progress as he was commanded. Death and Satan held great sway over him and his posterity. When Christ came and assumed flesh, the image of God in human nature was …

When will theosis be realized?

The theosis of man, his perfect union with God made possible by grace, will be realized completely in the future age after the resurrection of the dead. However, beginning in this life, this union which divinizes people can be made more and more real.

What does 2 Peter 1 mean?

Not only does 2 Peter 1 refer to Christians partaking of the divine nature, but books such as the Gospel of John and many of the Pauline epistles are replete with references to our union with God or our life "in Christ.".

What does it mean to be a child of God?

The blessings of being a child of God consist of more than simply receiving good gifts from Him and loving Him in return – it means a relationship with God, union with God. This is seen most fully in the union of human nature with the divine in Jesus incarnation, and we are called to attain something akin to this.

What does Pappas mean by salvation?

Pappas describes the events leading to the fall of Adam and Eve and defines salvation as “the return to assurance of eternal life with God in the idyllic state that surrounds Him ” (p. 17). Along the way, she makes some good statements.

What does Pappas say about saving ourselves?

Earlier, Pappas said that it was hopeless to try to save ourselves by works. Now she says that we can only be saved by struggling for spiritual growth (i.e., by struggling to do good works). So which is it? Is it futile to struggle to save ourselves by works or is it necessary?

What does the Gospel of John tell us?

What Pappas does not tell us, but what the Gospel of John does tell us, is that we are to believe in Christ for eternal life (e.g., John 3:16; 3:36; 5:24).

Why did the faithful avoid such discussions?

Chiganos explains in the introduction, “Until relatively recently, most of our faithful avoided such discussions because of lack of knowledge about the subject of salvation ” (p. 11). One can only imagine the spiritual darkness of a church where most of the “faithful” lack knowledge about the subject of salvation.

What are the questions that Evangelicals ask?

Evangelicals often ask questions like, “Are you saved?” “What is meant by salvation?” and “What must I do to be saved?” But these questions are not normally asked by Eastern Orthodox parishioners. As William S. Chiganos explains in the introduction, “Until relatively recently, most of our faithful avoided such discussions because of lack of knowledge about the subject of salvation” (p. 11).

How many laws did Adam and Eve have to keep?

Adam and Eve had one commandment to keep; now there were ten. In addition, there were 613 laws, each of which had to be kept precisely—to break one was to break them all…Man was caught in a never-ending cycle: he would inevitably break a law, bring the required offering, and go out and break another.

Does Pappas distinguish between salvation and discipleship?

Pappas seems to affirm this truth, then spends the rest of the booklet denying it. She doesn’t distinguish between salvation and discipleship. So she reads discipleship and rewards passages as giving us the conditions for eternal salvation.

What are the Orthodox distinctives that are in conflict with the Bible?

Other Orthodox distinctives that are in conflict with the Bible include: The equal authority of church tradition and Scripture. Discouragement of individuals interpreting the Bible apart from tradition. The perpetual virginity of Mary. Prayer for the dead.

What is the head of Orthodox Church called?

The head of each Orthodox church is called a “patriarch” or “metropolitan.”. The patriarch of Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) is considered the ecumenical—or universal—patriarch. He is the closest thing to a counterpart to the Pope in the Roman Catholic Church.

What do Orthodox believe?

Like Catholics and Protestants, however, Orthodox believers affirm the Trinity, the Bible as the Word of God, Jesus as God the Son, and many other biblical doctrines. However, in doctrine, they have much more in common with Roman Catholics than they do with Protestant Christians.

How many bodies are there in the Eastern Orthodox Church?

The Eastern Orthodox Church is not a single church but rather a family of 13 self-governing bodies, denominated by the nation in which they are located (e.g., the Greek Orthodox Church, Russian Orthodox Church ). They are united in their understanding of the sacraments, doctrine, liturgy, and church government, but each administers its own affairs.

Does the Eastern Orthodox Church speak with the Gospel?

While the Eastern Orthodox Church has claimed some of the church’s great voices, and while there are many in the Orthodox tradition that have a genuine salvation relationship with Jesus Christ, the Orthodox church itself does not speak with a clear message that can be harmonized with the biblical gospel of Christ.

Is the doctrine of justification by faith in the Orthodox Church?

Sadly, the doctrine of justification by faith is virtually absent from the history and theology of the Orthodox Church. Rather, Orthodoxy emphasizes theosis (literally, “divinization”), the gradual process by which Christians become more and more like Christ. What many in the Orthodox tradition fail to understand is that “divinization” is the progressive result of salvation, not a requirement for salvation itself. Other Orthodox distinctives that are in conflict with the Bible include:

Is the Orthodox Church the true church?

The Orthodox Church claims to be the one true church of Christ, and seeks to trace its origin back to the original apostles through an unbroken chain of apostolic succession. Orthodox thinkers debate the spiritual status of Roman Catholics and Protestants, and a few still consider them heretics.

What was the role of faith in Jesus’ healing?

The role of faith was significant but secondary to divine grace. God provided the grace, faith received the gift. Jesus connected personal faith in Him to our eternal salvation.

What is the parable of the Last Judgment?

Let us also recall the parable about the Last Judgment (Mat 25:31-46). When Christ comes in His glory with all the angels, He will gather all the nations before Him for universal judgment. Everyone will be divided into two groups–the sheep on the right and the goats on the left–before Christ the King. The ones on the right will be blessed and given the inheritance of the eternal kingdom. The ones on the left will be cursed and sent off to eternal fire. What will make the difference? What will be the criterion of judgment? Works of mercy! Feeding the hungry, welcoming the stranger, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and the prisoner. Jesus declared: “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me” (Mat 25:40).

What is the most pleasing work of God?

The most pleasing work to God is the continuous exercise of faith in Christ as Savior and Lord throughout our lives. Christ promised us a continuous personal communion with Him, a continuous Easter experience, based on love, faith, and the keeping of His commandments.

Who is the apostle of justification?

Then there is St. Paul. The apostle is known as the foremost advocate of justification by faith.

Is justification by faith an authentic teaching?

Justification by faith is an authentic teaching of the New Testament. It is also a part of Orthodox teaching because whatever the New Testament teaches as essential, the Orthodox Church teaches as well. The Bible belongs to the Church.

Is the Bible a church?

The Bible belongs to the Church. Equally, the acts of penitent prayer, asking God for forgiveness, and inviting Christ and the Holy Spirit to dwell in our hearts–these acts, too, are indispensable to Orthodox Christian life.

What does Hebrews 6:4-6 mean?

Hebrews 6:4-6, warns against falling away from the faith and those who do, cannot not be brought back to repentance because they are “crucifying the Son of God all over again.”. I must admit this passage has always concerned me, as there have been many short periods in my Christian walk that I have not always lived an exemplary life …

What does Saint Paul mean by "apostasized"?

Of course, Saint Paul is writing to the Hebrews, and herein he refers to those who have apostasized—that is, to those who rejected Christ and His saving power after their Baptism. By virtue of the fact that you state that you have “never denied the Lord and always had a yearning in [your] heart to return to …

What is the ultimate goal of faith?

Hence, if one is “being saved,” one is on the way to one’s ultimate goal: eternal union with God and participation in the divine nature, as Saint Paul writes.

Can apostasy be brought back into the Church?

Nevertheless, the Church, since ancient times, has acknowledged that those who have apostasized may indeed repent and be brought back into the Church after a period of repentance, as evidenced in several Canons of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicea, the Canons of the Council of Ancyra in 314 AD, and other early Christian writings.

Can the Prodigal Son repent?

They can, however, repent and open their eyes and their ears, should they choose to respond to God’s lovingkindness, mercy and forgiveness. In the Gospel of the Prodigal Son, we see the extent of our heavenly Father’s forgiveness. The son “came to his senses” and returned to his father.

Is salvation a process or an event?

First, Orthodoxy, unlike some Protestant bodies, does not hold to the notion that we are “already saved.”. For Orthodox Christians, salvation is a process, not a once-and-done event.

Who is Paul writing in verse 6?

In verse 6 we find Saint Paul stating that those to whom he is writing—remember, they are Jews— who revert to Judaism [not uncommon in apostolic times] crucify Christ once again, becoming like those who, in crucifying Christ on the Cross denied His divinity and His saving power.

What does it mean to accept Jesus as your saviour?

If you really did accept Jesus as your Saviour today, by believing he saved your soul by dying for our sins, and being raised from the dead, and repenting of your sins, you will now enjoy a long term love relationship with Jesus, who has promised before he ascended into heaven "I am with you always, even unto the end of the world!" Amen.

What is the root versus the fruit debate?

The Catholics and Orthodox underpinning theology argues works are a root of salvation, but the Protestants and born again Christians (that is Evangelicals – preachers of the good news) be;ie works are simply the fruit of salvation.

What does it mean to believe in Jesus?

If you want to be saved today, you must quote "repent and believe the gospel". To "believe in Jesus" in Greek means "to trust in and rely upon him" for salvation. This means HE SAVED YOU when he died and rose again, if you believe upon or in him. The resurrection is just as much a part of our salvation as Jesus dying for our sins, remember that.

Does the Bible say to be baptized in water?

The bible tells us you should now seek to be baptized by full immersion in water. Baptism is not, repeat not, part of the "gospel by which we are saved" so it does not help in any way to save your soul (see 1 Cor 1:17). However a person of real faith will be led by God to obey and be baptized.

Do you need a priest to be baptized?

You do not need some priest, pastor, or elder putting you through some kind of religious exam, or catcheumen or confirmation period before you are accepted into the church, or allowed to be baptized, you are in the church now, in a state of salvation now, and are able to be baptized now. ?.