Padraig
Regular Member
Well, hopefully I can make myself clear this last time because I'll be out of touch for a bit. I cannot say more than I have said for fear of repeating myself ad infinitum. And I hate to quote myself, but: Well, first I would say that no salvation is possible without repentance. The problem seems to be an opposition to universalism which holds that eventually, even after eons, all will eventually repent and be saved. I do not know if this will happen, I do not love as I should, nor am I far on the path of theosis, so I will not begrudge the hope that it may happen because this hope is driven by love.Padraig/Kevin:
Please don't take this to be impertinent, but this is an important issue. I could be misunderstanding you, so I will appeal for clarification one more time (having just read your latest post).
It sounds to me that you have argued for the possibility that the final judgment really may not be final after all (re: your first paragraph). Am I reading you accurately?
I will not profess to know what will happen given how much of our life is hidden in mystery, so much more is God hidden in mystery. Neither will I consider heretical those Fathers, theologians, and Heirarchs who profess a hope that all may eventually be saved. Love can hope for nothing less. Is this hope fruitless or misguided? I do not know. But given the eschatological nature of the Church and in particular her Liturgical expression, there are certain themes that lead me to necessarily conclude that this hope is not a complete invention in the mind those who pray for it.
Further, I propose this, as one who serves the Liturgy. Pray. Pray and do not speculate. Pray for everyone without reservation. St Silohuan urges us to pray even for those, "who will not pray." Will unbelievers be saved? As Christ says to St Peter, "What is that to you? Follow me."(John 21:23b). Know that our prayers are efficacious and timeless. God is merciful and will save whomever He chooses. And I, for one, am so thankful for this.
Undoubtedly, if you want theological treatises on this subject, there are many sources. I will not list them here because it will further speculation. I hope throughout this discussion I have been leading up to this point: pray without reservation. Pray for those who've passed wether they were "believers" or not. Pray for those who are yet to come whether they will be "believers" or not. Pray for the demons, and Satan himself. Pray, and believe God hears our prayers and if we strive toward holiness, those prayers will avail much.
If this continues to be muddled, I apologize profusely. The matter is not a simple one. But, if you need me to say anything else, you can disregard everything I have said until this last post, and especially: pray without reservation.
God bless,
Fr Dn Kevin
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