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Dear Theophilos,

Origen wasn't only disliked for his views on universal salvation - there were other things, like the matter of his self-castration . . .

Gregory of Nyssa was also seen as sharing in some of Origen's views - which is why he is often called "Blessed Gregory of Nyssa" but not by all.

Universal salvation is a danger heresy because it is an attack on the free will in the mystery of salvation and deification.

Salvation is always a struggle. And a struggle is what drives one toward a particular, focused goal and way from the alternative which would be failure to do so i.e. hell.

The Eastern Church however, believes that even if someone is in hell, God is the Lord of all, including the gates of hell, and if that person cries to the Lord, salvation is even then a possibility.

Alex

Alex:

Glory to Jesus Christ!

"Origen wasn't only disliked for his views on universal salvation - there were other things, like the matter of his self-castration . . ."

I never said there weren't other reasons for the Church's (eventual) dismissal of Origen (subordinationism within the Godhead, eternity of creation/emanationism, etc.). I'm not sure why you're pointing this out.

"The Eastern Church however, believes that even if someone is in hell, God is the Lord of all, including the gates of hell, and if that person cries to the Lord, salvation is even then a possibility."

Exactly. Apokatastasis should not be understood as some sort of automated return to God -- I don't think this is what Clement, or Origen, or Nyssa had in mind. It is premised on repentance, on turning around. What I am suggesting is that even Satan has the opportunity to be saved, if he chooses to accept God's gift of grace.

"Universal salvation is a danger heresy because it is an attack on the free will in the mystery of salvation and deification."

I don't follow your thinking. I simply believe that, in the end, God's patient love will overcome even the most stubborn of hearts, who will freely choose to become "partakers of the divine nature."

In Christ,
Theophilos

Glory to Jesus Christ!
Glory to Him Forever!

Dear Alex,

So, we can pray for people to be delivered from hell? I do understand that Holy Orthodoxy teaches that nobody's destiny is final until the Last Judgment. It still seems like a "free for all" salvation. Even a "second chance" for salvation. I mean, who wouldn't be sincere in their repentance when they find themselves in hell? Thanks.

A sinner,

Adam

It sounds like purgatory that the Roman Catholic Church teaches about. Also as the Orthodox Church teaches about the deification of man, and as most of us find this concept of an eternal hell unacceptable, then as we are part of the essence of God, hell can't exist.

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Jesus said their is a Hell and it is Eternal,
the Church Teaches it that should be enough
proof. The Church is Infalliable when it comes
to Interpretation of the Scriptures and they
would not Teach what is not True.
And their is a Purgatory, The Church Teaches that too.

From: Daniel
A Byzantine Catholic

I understand the Traditional view of Hell to be that it is quite hot. But tell me, is it humid?

I looked briefly through the posts, and didn't find the word defined:

"gehenna" in Hebrew is the smoldering, fetid garbage heap outside of the walls of the city of Jerusalem.

For anyone who doesn't fear God and fails to do His commandments, this is a reasonable foretaste of what lies in store for them.

Theologically, hell is being in the presence of the inexhaustible love, mercy, and glory of God and being unwilling to accept it because it involves an emptying of self and a filling of that void with Him and all that He is. Theologians have likened it to a little child (2 year old) who has just learned that the word "no" defines himself as an independent party. He uses it even to reject the good that is offered.

Frankly, it is preposterous for any Christian to reject the significance of hell and utterly incomprehensible if they have been reading scripture.

With love in Christ,
Andrew.