Great article, lots to consider. I like the standpoint of the preacher, towards the end, where he explains why we must hold back on judging others.
As I understand it, Eastern Orthodox theology has always refused to make a canonical decision on the faith/vs works controversy. They say that both approaches can be justified through scripture. If one reads the Philokalia, there are lots of examples of theologians writing on either side of this divide.
The "once saved" concept relates to absolute salavation by faith, so much so that the single moment of faith is all that counts. Eastern Orthodox don't try to deny it, but rather to point out a more complex picture, very well done in this article.
"As I understand it, Eastern Orthodox theology has always refused to make a canonical decision on the faith/vs works controversy."
Well, heck, that would explain why the author didn't make a stand on it!! I've a bit more homework to do obviously; and thanks.
There is no controversy. The Orthodox position is that you are saved by Grace alone, not by works. They do differentiate between works of law and works of faith. In Judaism, works of law is what makes you acceptable to God. To an Orthodox Christian, only God's mercy saves. You can't earn it, you can't bargain for it. There is no controversy.
The answer which you feel the Orthodox don't give on salvation is that yes, once saved, always saved. The difference is that we get saved after we die physical death. Orthodoxy has always taught that upon death, soul undergoes immediate judgemnt (particular judgment), whose essence is the same as that of the Final Judgment (in other words there is no "Purgatory"). The soul immediately foretastes the bliss of heaven or the discomfort of hell. At the Final Judgment, the souls are reuinted with bodies.
We believe that as Christians we can only live in Christ and become more like Him (theosis), but that in itself does not guarantee salvation. Theosis is a willing and free way of life that is characterized by works of faith, fasting, worshiping God and living in God.