Salvation in Christ
The Ascetic Ideal and the New Testament: Reflections on the
Critique of the Theology of the Reformation, by Father George Florovsky.
This is one of the most important articles a Protestant inquirer to Orthodoxy
could read. It is a lengthy survey of almost the entire New Testament.
The author demonstrates that in each book the Orthodox doctrines of synergy
and theosis are taught. He interacts constantly with the theology
of Luther and Calvin, as well as the book Agape and Eros, by
Anders Nygren.
What Christ Accomplished on the Cross,
by Hieromonk Damascene.
Justification by Faith Alone? The Reply of
Patriarch Jeremiah II to the Lutheran Tubingen Theologians (16th cent.)
Faith and Works: A Letter from St.
Macarius of Optina to a layman.
Salvation by Christ, by Carmen Fragapane. A very thorough
article explaining the Orthodox teaching on Theosis and the doctrine
of salvation.
Person and Personality in Orthodox Teaching: Concerning the Evangelical Protestant
Notion of a "Personal Lord and Savior." An Orthodox Tradition Q & A.
"On the Presuppositions of Our Personal Salvation,"
Ch. 13. from The Truth of Our Faith: A Discourse from Holy Scripture on the Teachings
of True Christianity, By Elder Cleopa of Romania.
The Non-Orthodox: The Orthodox Teaching on Christians Outside
of the Church: by Patrick Barnes. My humble attempt to answer
a common question of inquiring Protestants and Roman Catholics.
On the Status of the Heterodox,
by Fr. Michael Pomazansky.
Will the Heterodox Be Saved?,
by Metropolitan Philaret.
Recommended Books
Meyendorff, John, and Robert Tobias, Salvation in Christ: A Lutheran-Orthodox
Dialogue. Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress Press, 1992. Many topics
under the umbrella of "salvation" are treated in this compilation
of ecumenical studies. A most useful comparison of the differences between
Orthodox dogma and those that emerged from the Reformation.
Bishop Auxentios of Photiki, Christological Methods and Their Influence on Alexandrian and Antiochian
Eucharistic Theology. Etna, CA: Center for Traditionalist Orthodox
Studies, 1996. This 31 page monograph compares the theology of Theodore
of Mopsuestia—condemned by the Fifth Œcumenical Synod for
his Nestorian theology—with that of St. Cyril of Alexandria, champion
of Chalcedonian Christology. His Grace demonstrates clearly that one's
Christology has necessary ramifications in the area of Eucharistic theology
and the doctrine of salvation (soteriology). There is good reason for
including this monograph in a suggested reading section for Protestants.
My hope is that those who read it will come to see that the majority of
Protestant theology, with respect to the nature of the Church, the Sacraments
(Mysteries), and soteriology is clearly Nestorian. Most Protestants would
affirm the Fourth Œcumenical Synod which defined the Person of Christ
(i.e., set forth Orthodox Christology); yet in these very key areas Protestant
thought is Nestorian. This should trouble those Protestants who believe
that they adhere to the "Apostolic Faith" and value consistent
reasoning. In this vein—i.e., that our theology should flow from
Chalcedonian Christology—, see The Ascetic Ideal and the New Testament by
Fr. George Florovsky, The Church Is Visible and One by
Patrick Barnes, and Ch 10 from The Way, by Clark Carlton.
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