Justification is theosis

"Justification is theosis, through which we receive the divine light and therefore life." + Seraphim Hamilton http://onbehalfofall.org/theosis-and-justification-in-pauls-second-letter-to-the-corinthians/

We Must Pray for All: The Salvation of the World According to St Silouan

We Must Pray for All: The Salvation of the World According to St Silouan
by Metropolitan Kallistos (Ware)
http://www.bogoslov.ru/en/text/2314168.html

Metropolitan Kallistos of Diokleia analyses the soteriological theology of St Silouan the Athonite. Identifying the similar sense of cosmic unity found both in Dostoevsky and St Silouan, the Metropolitan discusses the influence of St Isaac the Syrian on both men, moving on to examine St Silouan's burning desire and constant prayer for the salvation of the whole world and its theological implications.

Hell and Missiology

Can we preach the Gospel if we don't preach an eternal hell?

This question along with a few others were raised in Fr Aidan Kimel's post "Accept Hell? Hell No!"

This question raises a few additional ones concerning our missiological presuppositions:

For example, is Orthodox missiology about getting as many people into heaven and avoiding hellfire? Is the preaching of the Gospel dependent on negative incentives and motivations based on fear?

C.S.Lewis: An 'Anonymous Orthodox'? by Metropolitan Kallistos Ware

C.S.Lewis: an 'anonymous Orthodox'?

By Metropolitan Kallistos Ware of Diokleia

From a talk given to the Oxford C.S. Lewis Society on 29 November 1994, Published in Sobornost, new series 17.2 (1995) , 9-27

'Good sense, good manners, and good Christianity'

In his interesting article on C.S. Lewis and the Orthodox Church, 'Under the Russian cross', Dr Andrew Walker recalls a dinner party in London at which a senior Greek bishop from Constantinople described Lewis as an 'anonymous Orthodox'.¹ Was the Greek bishop right? Certainly, as Andrew Walker observes, Lewis has an enthusiastic following among Orthodox Christians. There are Orthodox bookshops which stock virtually no works by any non-Orthodox author, with one striking exception - C.S. Lewis. I can also think of Orthodox clergy, strictly traditionalist in their outlook, who use Mere Christianity as their main text-book when instructing catechumens.

Justification

Fr Aidan Kimel has posted another very thoughtful and enriching series that would be of benefit for all Orthodox Christians to read and consider. http://afkimel.wordpress.com/category/justification/ Here is the series in one big re-post:

Forensic vs Ontological Atonement

Continuing the theme mentioned in http://orthodoxyisorthodoxy.blogspot.com/2013/04/appeasement-wrath-anger-substitution.html here is another post by Fr Stephen Freeman discussing atonement...

Double-Minded

by Fr Stephen Freeman

http://glory2godforallthings.com/2013/04/26/double-minded/

Appeasement, Wrath, Anger, Substitution and the Cross in Orthodoxy

In a recent recording of a lenten retreat, Fr Jonathan Tobias mentions the common misconceptions one hears about the mystery of salvation and the understanding of the Cross.

If you're a Sunday school teacher, the following links might help identify these misconceptions which may arise when reading popular reductionist mainstream, 'Evangelical' or mega-Church literature.

Sometimes these misconceptions can creep into Orthodox parishes so it's also refreshing to hear Priests identify, compare and address these misconceptions. Hope you find the following resources interesting and of benefit:

Fr Jonathan Tobias on misconceptions concerning the Cross

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sCK-nu9wek
or
http://janotec.typepad.com/terrace/2013/04/the-cross-peace-over-violence.html

Also related:
Some Profound Heresies On Atonement by Fr John Peck http://frjohnpeck.com/some-profound-heresies-on-atonement/

and this wonderful post by Fr Stephen Freeman:

Therapeutic Substitutionary Atonement http://glory2godforallthings.com/2013/04/19/therapeutic-substitutionary-atonement/


These two articles and Fr Jonathan's paper are also included after the break...

Adam’s Lament

Adam’s Lament

by St Silouan the Athonite

Adam, father of all mankind, in paradise knew the sweetness of the love of God; and so when for his sin he was driven forth from the garden of Eden, and was widowed of the love of God, he suffered grievously and lamented with a great moan. And the whole desert rang with his lamentations, for his soul was racked as he thought, 'I have distressed my beloved God'. He sorrowed less after paradise and the beauty thereof; for he sorrowed that he was bereft of the love of God, which insatiably, at every instant, draws the soul to Him.

In the same way the soul which has known God through the Holy Spirit, but has afterwards lost grace experiences the torment that Adam suffered. There is an aching and a deep regret in the soul that has grieved the beloved Lord.

Adam pined on earth, and wept bitterly, and the earth was not pleasing to him. He was heartsick for God, and this was his cry:

"The Robe of Glory" by Sebastian Brock

The Robe of Glory

A biblical image in the Syriac tradition

by Sebastian Brock

The background

‘The question of the relationship of the human person to clothing is basically not a moral concern . . . but a metaphysical and theological one.’ This statement, made by the author of a classic article entitled ‘The theology of clothing’,¹ may at first sight seem surprising, but it only needs a few moments’ reflection to recall that there are numerous passages in both Testaments where clothing imagery is employed with reference both to God and to human beings; thus, for example, in the Old Testament God ‘puts on righteousness’ (Isai 59:17), ‘is clothed in light’ (Ps 104:2), and ‘the Spirit of God clothed itself with Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest’ (2 Chr 24:20), while in the New Testament Christ tells the disciples they ‘will be clothed in power from on high’ (Lk 24:49) and the baptized ‘have put on Christ’ (Gal 3:27).

Steve the Builder Discussing "Love Wins"

Full Official Transcript Posted on Ancient Faith Radio (an unofficial transcript of the video was posted earlier here) http://ancientfaith.com/podcasts/stevethebuilder/love_wins_an_orthodox_view_of_salvation

Confession: The Path to Renewal of the Heart

Confession: The Path to Renewal of the Heart
by Archimandrite Irenei, Transcribed from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDXQz02KX9c

The life in Christ is a Mystery. I wish to speak today of the contours of this Mystery, which is at the very center of our existence as Christian people and which defines in a special way, our manner of life in the Church, for this is precisely with our precious Orthodox faith is, it is a life, it is something that is to be lived and lived specifically and wholly in Christ.

Two talks about Salvation

An Orthodox Christian View of the Doctrine of Salvation by Faith Alone

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkPcVFx-U-k

Salvation in Christ 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3F7h-TStNd8

The Beautiful Struggle

"...there is nothing that separates us from him as far as love is concerned – his love – and as far as our longing – our longing – is concerned. But we must struggle and change and become new, new creatures, with his help. Forgiveness does not erase the past. It heals it in co-operation between God and us."

+ Metroplitan Anthony Bloom

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzhhFRqjF_o

Forgiveness

Sermon by Metroplitan Anthony Bloom, 5 December 1999
From Coming Closer To Christ: Confession and Forgiveness

Love Wins (Transcript)

Love Wins - An Orthodox View

uploaded by YouTube User: sevpr on Feb 19, 2011

A comparison of the mainstream substitutionary atonement views and the Orthodox view of salvation illustrated with chairs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WosgwLekgn8

Two views...