Replies

But this is what the posted article does. It says that there will be people who do not have faith in Christ who will nevertheless be saved. If this is a teaching you wish to hold, fine. But don't disguise it as biblical teaching, because it is not.

Well we are not sola scriptura either. But you are wrong in thinking that we are saying that people without faith in Christ will be saved. What we say is that it is possible that this will happen, not that it will happen.
It's important to understand the distinction.

In fact, the Orthodox church does not say that *anyone* is saved in advance, not even our own clergy and members.
What we do is leave it entirely open as a possibility.

And no matter what Holy Scripture you quote, you don't know what judgements Christ will make either. You just think you do.

John Climacus (579 - 649) contrasts the experiential emphasis with a mere conceptual or linguistic view of God's revelation: "Do you imagine plain words can precisely or truly or appropriately describe the love of the Lord... and assurance of the heart? Do you imagine that talk of such matters will mean anything to someone who has never experienced them? If you think so, then you will be like a man who with words and examples tries to convey the sweetness of honey to people who have never tasted it. He talks uselessly. Indeed I would say he is simply prattling."

I'll email you. :-)

Well we are not sola scriptura either

Code for: "the teachings of the church override the teachings of scripture."

And no matter what Holy Scripture you quote, you don't know what judgements Christ will make either. You just think you do.

This is an amazing thing, that you know what I think. Seriously here, God is consistent with His word. We do know that the judgements He makes will not contradict what He has stated in His word.

But you are wrong in thinking that we are saying that people without faith in Christ will be saved. What we say is that it is possible that this will happen, not that it will happen.

This is the entire thrust of the article, that faith in Christ is not necessary for salvation; PIETY is.

OK. Lets sum up our conversation so far. The Orthodox Church believes: 1.) Church teachings can override the scriptures, 2.) Faith in Christ is not necessary for salvation, 3.) Faith in Christ is not SUFFICIENT for salvation, since you do not believe in justification by faith, 4.) Christ's judgements may not be consistent with His word, 5.) an idolater may be saved if he is pious. Have I left anything out?