I understand, and respect that.
I was curious as to how his argument seemed to hold up for you. But now that I've listened to it a couple of times, I'll give my opinion on it. Father Theodore's argument really appeared to be minimalistic, rejecting of Oral Tradition, and frankly, just not well thought-through.
I will offer offer a few quick examples:
1.)
"No-where in any ecumenical council, or local synod, or dogmatic book, is it written about what happens to the soul after death, until the second coming."
- Fr. Ted, Theologoumena, 2:19
Ecumenical Council:
True enough. But we are no more sola council than we are sola scriptura.
Local Synod:
Untrue.
Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside or Russia, 19 November/2 December, 1980, mention Toll Houses extensively, in fact, the Synod was conviened to censure Archbishop Lazarus Puhalo (then Deacon), for his position rejecting Toll-Houses. That's when he went to the schismatic "Free Serbian Church". No one who is familiar with the Toll House controversy should be ignorant of this Local Synod.
Dogmatic book:
Untrue.
Protopresbyter Michael Pomazansky speaks of Toll-houses in his book, Orthodox Dogmatic Theology (Chapter 10. Christian Eschatology, The fate of man after death.) Please note, this book is regarded as a standard source of Orthodox theology. Since its publication in Russian in 1963, it has been used as
the main theology textbook at Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary in Jordanville, New York; and since the publication of the first English edition in 1983, it has come to be regarded throughout the English-speaking world as one of the best introductory books on Orthodox theology.
ArchangelsBooks.com » Orthodox Dogmatic Theology: A Concise Exposition Third Edition by Fr. Michael Pomazansky translated by Fr. Seraphim Rose » Orthodox Dogmatics
Archpriest N. Malinovsky speaks of Toll-houses in his Orthodox Dogmatic Theology book as well. In fact, the Synod of Bishops of the ROCOR mentioned above, said that, "
It [toll-houses]
is cited in all texts of dogmatic theology."
2.)
"They have not been taught to us by Christ Himself."
- Fr. Ted, Theologoumena, 2:46
Um. That is the kind of statement that clearly carys the burden of proof, considering
John 21:25 and
2 Thessalonians 2:15, and the the overwhelming evidence we have from Saints, Elders, Metropolitans, the Church's Services, Hymnography, and Hagiography.
3.)
"They have not been found in Scripture."
- Fr. Ted, Theologoumena, 2:49
Yea, I thought he would go here. Have you noticed that he completely sidesteps Oral Tradition? Whatever happened to
John 21:25 and
2 Thessalonians 2:15?
The errors and huge stretches continue throughout the podcast. I just don't have time to answer them all.
Please understand Dorothy, dear sister, that none of my argument is directed at you, but at the podcast itself. I do appreciate you posting it. I just don't think that Fr. Ted thought this podcast through very well.