Hell As Purgative?

[caffeinated hermit]

Posted In The Eastern Orthodox Sub-Forum

Is there any room within Eastern Orthodoxy for a hope that Hell is temporary and purgative, or a hope in Universal Reconciliation in some other way?

I am vaguely aware of Eastern Orthodox thinkers like Sergei Bulgakov and David Bentley Hart who espouse or seem to espouse Universalism. So could such a belief be validly held by an Eastern Orthodox Christian?

Thank you.

 

[Lukaris]

Hi Hermit,

Here is a link to a short essay by Fr Lawrence Farley that there is no universal salvation. Fr Lawrence is a prominent modern ( as in current) Orthodox author of several study books on Romans, letters to the Corinthians etc.

Fr Lawrence article:

Will Everyone Eventually Be Saved?

When they are in fashion, fads are never recognized as fads. Those under their influence and promoting them feel that they have come across “An Important New Truth,” or (if Orthodox) “An Important But Neglected Part of Our Tradition.” Recognizing them as fads would only serve to dismiss them...

www.oca.org

Info on Fr Lawrence:

Fr. Lawrence R. Farley | Ancient Faith Ministries

God says the good will be saved & the evil lost. We believe there are good & evil among all of us but only God knows who in particular. God so loved us ( John 3:16-21 etc).We should pray for all ( 1 Timothy 2:1-6, 1 Timothy 4:10, etc.) as per the Lord’s commandments ( Matthew 22:36-40 etc.), the golden rule ( Matthew 7:1-12 etc).

 

[caffeinated hermit]

@Lukaris , thank you. So, then, is it possible to at least hope that all will be saved?

And... what of voices within Eastern Orthodoxy who express a belief that all will be saved? Are such voices formally condemned, or are they kind of tolerated? What of the seemingly UR-friendly writings of some recognized saints?

 

[ArmyMatt]

So, then, is it possible to at least hope that all will be saved?

yes, but no more than that

 

[caffeinated hermit]

yes, but no more than that

Ok, thank you, Father. So... not to be a jerk, but... if it is ok to hope that all may be saved, theologically, why is it condemned to believe that all will be saved if such an outcome is at least something we can hope in?

And is it possible within Orthodoxy to believe (or at least hope) that Hell is purgative and temporary rather than eternal?

 

[ArmyMatt]

Ok, thank you, Father. So... not to be a jerk, but... if it is ok to hope that all may be saved, theologically, why is it condemned to believe that all will be saved if such an outcome is at least something we can hope in?

And is it possible within Orthodoxy to believe (or at least hope) that Hell is purgative and temporary rather than eternal?

it’s condemned because we don’t know. only God knows. so we can’t say we believe all will be saved because God has not revealed that yet.

hell is purgative, but if you eternally hold on to your sin, that purging fire burns you eternally.

 

[caffeinated hermit]

it’s condemned because we don’t know. only God knows. so we can’t say we believe all will be saved because God has not revealed that yet.

hell is purgative, but if you eternally hold on to your sin, that purging fire burns you eternally.

Ok, thank you. That... kind of makes sense. So... if Hell is purgative only if a soul eternally holds on to sin, then, theoretically, could (according to EO theology) a soul repent from within Hell and be delivered from it?

I know the EO don't believe in Purgatory as such, but would it be fair / appropriate to say that Hell is Purgatory-like for some souls and eternal for others?

Ok, one more thing, sorry, what of some of the Saints who seem to hint at UR? I don't know that they've been condemned for their optimistic statements, so why would a contemporary EO layman be condemned for similar directness and optimism?

( Not every quote here is from a person recognized as an EO Saint (like, there's a lot of Origen), but some are. )

Thank you, Father, for taking the time to go through all this stuff and answer.