Subjective salvation

[Wryetui]

I am thinking about going to Orthodox Pastoral Theology at the college, and become a priest. There is one question called "Subjective salvation" and I have to write an essay about it. I was thinking that between the orthodox christians there is a belief where only we, the orthodox can be saved, the other christians, living in heresy cannot, even if they are good. This may make sense, since Christ is only one and since we respected the truth, but which is your opinion?

 

[gzt]

I don't think that Christians living in heresy are by necessity damned, nor is that a very popular belief among even the most rigid theologians.

 

[Wryetui]

I don't know what to say... Could you say that those who believed in arrianism or nestorianism where christians? If they couldn't be saved what about the heretics nowadays?

 

[jckstraw72]

The Use of the Term "Heretic"

 

[gzt]

Who says they could not possible be saved? Now, Arianism is a much worse heresy than the usual Christian heresies we are discussing these days, too, anyway. Nestorianism, sure, still bounces around in various forms.

 

[ArmyMatt]

yes it is true that only the Orthodox will be saved. but the day when we find out exactly who is Orthodox and who is not is Judgment Day. only God can judge the soul of someone outside of the Church.

 

[Kristos]

I am thinking about going to Orthodox Pastoral Theology at the college, and become a priest. There is one question called "Subjective salvation" and I have to write an essay about it. I was thinking that between the orthodox christians there is a belief where only we, the orthodox can be saved, the other christians, living in heresy cannot, even if they are good. This may make sense, since Christ is only one and since we respected the truth, but which is your opinion?

What are you writing an essay for? As part of your application to this program? Seems strange to ask such a question on an entrance essay.

I think you could go many directions with this rather open question. I would be careful not to condemn anyone, but rather hope and pray for God's grace to work through his Church to save all mankind. Perhaps even Arius - but of course that is up to Arius. He did not believe that Jesus Christ was fully God. He not only taught, this defended it - the Church tried to correct him, but he refused to be humbled. It's hard to imagine that he would suddenly change his mind and accept the saving grace of Jesus Christ, as Lord and God - but who knows...

 

[Wryetui]

Not now, the exam to the entrance consists in ten essays about different subjects, like the relation between the Tradition and the Scripture, the history of the Church, the natures of Christ and etc...