clarifying Orthodox teachings

Light of the East said:

Hope this shows up on your feed, Father, since the thread is a bit dated.

Did the Theotokos have a gnomic will? Did She have any inclination to sin?

If not, then from where did She get this ability and could this idea lead to a foundation for the Immaculate Conception?

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ArmyMatt said:

depends on what you mean. she was born to the fallen mode of reproduction, so she suffered everything that comes with that. however, she was able to gain control of all desires and passions at a very young age.

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Light of the East said:

Well, if I have understood concupiscence correctly, that is what is meant by the "desires and passions." I think that the Roman Church would be horrified at the idea that the Theotokos ever had to fight and overcome (i.e. control) Her passions. This is the idea behind the Immaculate Conception, as I understand it (and I could be dead wrong here) - that She never had any will but the will of God from the moment of Her conception.

However, as I understand what I have heard on Orthodox radio, this creates massive anthropological and soteriological problems, mostly with the idea that A.) she is then really not fully human as we are B.) there is nothing special about Her being sinless in Her life C.) why not then create all humans in the same was as to assure their salvation? D.) She is not a model of theosis for us.

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