Perhaps we should consult with the second chapter of St. James to settle the matter. If we were to follow up with 2000 years of consistent teaching, I think it would become clear that Orthodox Christians have reconciled the Old and New Testaments thoroughly and authoritatively. On the other hand, you'll be interested to know that your dispensational paradigm wasn't a player for 1900 years of Christian thought.
His only concern was to follow the commands of God out of his own owed debt towards his own salvation...
Perhaps this quote from St. Gregory will put your concerns to rest:
"He is Sanctification, as being Purity, that the Pure may be contained by Purity. And Redemption, because He sets us free, who were held captive under sin, giving Himself a Ransom for us, the Sacrifice to make expiation for the world. And Resurrection, because He raises up from hence, and brings to life again us, who were slain by sin.
That won't help you...James talks about faith and works...
Your St. Greg talks only of works...And the faith that your church speaks of is faith in your church...Your church IS the faith...
Paul said faith without works, lest any man should boast as Greg has done...
If we were to follow up with 2000 years of consistent teaching, I think it would become clear that Orthodox Christians have reconciled the Old and New Testaments thoroughly and authoritatively.
That's their sales pitch, anyway...It that was true, all that would prove is your religion started out disagreeing with Jesus and the Apostles and continues on to this day...
He is Sanctification, as being Purity, that the Pure may be contained by Purity. And Redemption, because He sets us free, who were held captive under sin, giving Himself a Ransom for us, the Sacrifice to make expiation for the world. And Resurrection, because He raises up from hence, and brings to life again us, who were slain by sin.
Nope...Just because Greg was aware of the teaching of Jesus doesn't mean he believed any or all of it...
Like they say, don't just listen to what I say, watch what I do...And Greg's actions are that of a person working for his won salvation...
What strikes me is the notion that Greg was full of sorrow...The crying priest...His face was furrowed with the tracks of his tears, the article says...An act of piety, you guys say???
Where's the joy??? The Joy in Jesus Christ...Why no desire to share that joy with the world??? Apparently Greg didn't have it...Didn't know it...