ON THE DOGMA OF REDEMPTION
By: Vladimir Moss

Contents

Introduction

The "Juridical Theory"
The Meaning of "Justification"
The Sacrifice for Sin
The Prayer in the Garden
Gethsemane vs. Golgotha
The Theory of "Moral Monism"
Original Sin

Conclusion: Love and Justice
 

Introduction

He wiped out our debt, by paying for us a most admirable and precious ransom. We are all made free through the blood of the Son, which pleads for us to the Father.

St. John of Damascus, First Word on the Divine Images, 21.

     I have in front of me a document entitled "Resolution of the Sacred Synod of the True Orthodox Church of Greece concerning The Dogma of Redemption by Metropolitan Anthony Khrapovitsky".[1]

The first point which needs to be made about this document is that the title is a misnomer. The bishops who wrote it do not belong to the True Orthodox Church of Greece, but to what they previously called "The Holy Orthodox Church in North America" (HOCNA); in other words, they are the Bostonites. They have a following in America, but almost none in Greece.

     The second point is that only a small section of this document (23 pages out of 102) is devoted directly to an examination of Metropolitan Anthony's thesis, its truth or heresy. The rest, though not without some relevant passages, is mainly devoted to a series of subtle and very detailed character assassinations directed at all the best-known critics of Metropolitan Anthony's thesis. Since so much space is devoted to this, we are forced to make a few comments on it before analyzing the strictly dogmatical arguments.

     To what degree are the failings of a man, real or imagined, relevant to an assessment of his theological views on a certain subject? Is it relevant, for example, to an evaluation of Archbishop Theophan of Poltava's critique of Metropolitan Anthony that he mistakenly believed that the Tsar was still alive in the 1930s? In our opinion – not at all. And yet the Bostonite bishops go into this with some relish while claiming disingenuously: "certainly we would not wish to make known his personal sins and failings lest we ourselves should be brought naked before the dread Judgement Seat on the Last Day" (p. 34). But that is precisely what they do…

     Somewhat more relevant is the fact – if it is a fact – that the man is a heretic in other areas. Thus the Bostonite bishops' attempt to show that another critic of Metropolitan Anthony, Fr. George Florovsky, is an ecumenist is relevant; for the authority of a man depends directly on the degree of his Orthodoxy, and if he is a heretic, then he is not a patristic authority. At the same time, we must be careful not to throw the baby out with the bathwater. The fact that a man is an ecumenist (in Florovsky's case, a "conservative" ecumenist) does not necessarily mean that he is wrong in every other pronouncement or argument he makes in theology. And if he is very learned and clever and in general Orthodox, then we can at least listen to his arguments. Thus the Holy Fathers, while recognizing that Origen was a heretic, nevertheless used him in those areas in which he was less suspect. The same attitude should be taken, in our view, towards Florovsky, all the more so in that Florovsky was an acknowledged leader of the patristic revival in the Russian Church and was highly respected by Metropolitan Anthony himself, who commended his "strict loyalty to the teaching of the Orthodox Church".[2]

     If, however, the writings of a heretic are to be ruled out of court even in those areas in which he was not a heretic, this principle should be applied consistently. This the Bostonite bishops do not do. Thus at one point they refer with approval to Alexander Kalomiros' article "The River of Fire". We personally by no means admire this article. But even if it were completely Orthodox, the fact remains that Kalomiros was an ardent and open preacher of Darwinism, which is not just a heresy, but, as Fr. Seraphim Rose rightly pointed out, a completely different world-view antithetical in all respects to Orthodoxy. The HOCNA bishops should not have a problem with this, since Metropolitan Ephraim of Boston recently publicly renounced Darwinism in an admirable way. But they still appear to be attached to Kalomiros and his writings, and never warn people about his heretical status.

     Again, the Bostonite bishops quote Metropolitan Evlogy of Paris' eulogy of Metropolitan Anthony's work. Why quote the eulogy of one of the greatest heretics of the 20th century in your favour? If Florovsky's criticism of Metropolitan Anthony is supposedly tainted by his (fairly moderate) ecumenism, why should Evlogy's eulogy of Metropolitan Anthony not be tainted by his ecumenism and other heresies (sophianism, newcalendarism, sergianism, etc.)

     Again, they discuss Fr. Gregory Lourie's criticisms of Archbishop Theophan of Poltava at some length, but his criticisms of Metropolitan Anthony much more briefly, accepting the one and rejecting the other. But if, as they themselves appear to agree, Fr. Gregory is a name-worshipping heretic, why discuss any of his criticisms?

     The Bostonite strategy here is double-edged. If they prefer to spend most of their time attacking the personal failings of Metropolitan Anthony's opponents, or pointing out their mistakes in other theological fields, this only invites their opponents to point to their personal failings and their mistakes in other theological fields. But in that way attention is distracted from Metropolitan Anthony's thesis, considered on its own merits or demerits independently of anything or anyone else.

     It should be noted that the main opponents of Metropolitan Anthony adopted a different strategy. Thus Archbishop Theophan of Poltava wrote nothing whatsoever either for or against Metropolitan Anthony with regard either to his personal qualities or to any other of his theological writings. His work is 100% theology of redemption – the content of which, unfortunately, has been examined by the HOCNA bishops only in the most superficial and distorted manner, as we shall see later.

     One more introductory point should be made here. Metropolitan Anthony's Catechism, which expressed the same theology as The Dogma of Redemption in a more concise form, was at first accepted by the ROCA Synod as a substitute for Metropolitan Philaret of Moscow's Catechism in schools. True: the Synod did not call Metropolitan Philaret's Catechism heretical, simply saying that Metropolitan Anthony's was "shorter and more convenient for assimilation". And true again: Metropolitan Anthony himself did not ask for Metropolitan Philaret's Catechism to be removed from use in favour of his own, writing only (in a report to the Synod dated April 9/22, 1926): "In my foreword to An Attempt at an Orthodox Christian Catechism I wrote: `In publishing my work as material, I in no way wished that it should completely overshadow the Catechism of [Metropolitan] Philaret in schools, but I have nothing against the idea that this or that teacher of the Law of God should sometimes, in his interpretation of the dogmas and commandments, use my thoughts and references to Holy Scripture and Holy Tradition, thereby filling in the gaps in the textbook catechism with regard to various religious questions, of which very many have arisen in the time since the death of the author'".[3]

     All this sounds innocent and cautious enough. And yet the fact is, as Metropolitan Anthony made clear on many occasions, and was also made clear by those who agreed with his work, the real motive for the writing of his Catechism and Dogma of Redemption was that he considered Metropolitan Philaret's Catechism "scholastic" and heretical, being identical with the Roman Catholic teaching on redemption of Anselm and Aquinas. Thus in his letters to the Russian Athonite monk and theologian, Hieroschemamonk Theodosius, a firm opponent of Metropolitan Anthony's thesis, he expressed fundamental disagreement "with the juridical theory of Anselm and Aquinas, which was completely accepted by P[eter] Moghila and Metropolitan Philaret"[4] And again he wrote: "We must not quickly return to Peter Moghila, Philaret and Macarius: they will remain subjects for historians"[5] And again: "Apparently you together with your namesake [Archbishop Theophan - Hieroschemamonk Theodosius was at that time Hieromonk Theophan] have fallen into spiritual deception".[6] So it is clear that, for Metropolitan Anthony, as for his opponents, this was a fundamental matter of doctrine. Either Metropolitan Philaret's Catechism was heretical and Metropolitan Anthony's was Orthodox, or Metropolitan Anthony's was heretical and Metropolitan Philaret's was Orthodox. And whoever was wrong was "in spiritual deception".

     But the consequences of "victory" for either side would have been unthinkable; it would have meant condemning as a heretic either the greatest Russian hierarch of the 19th century or, in many people's opinion, the greatest Russian hierarch of the 20th century, and would quite simply have torn the Russian Church Abroad apart at a time when it was fighting for its life against communism, sergianism and sophianism.

     So it is not surprising that both sides exhibited signs of trying to "cool" the conflict. On the one hand, Metropolitan Anthony's Catechism did not replace that of Metropolitan Philaret, and the Synod under Metropolitan Anastasy refused to review the question again. And on the other, Archbishop Theophan departed to live a hermit's life in France…

     But the conflict has resurfaced in the 1990s, both in Russia and in America. And even, evidently, in the Bostonites' flock. And meanwhile the ROCA has torn itself apart, not over the Dogma of Redemption, but over the Dogma of the One Church – over ecumenism and the status of ecumenist "World Orthodoxy".

     Now the Bostonite hierarchs cultivate a cultured, "eirenic" tone, and refrain from directly calling any of the major players in this controversy a heretic. At the same time, however, they extend the label "scholastic" to all those who espouse what they call "the juridical theory" of redemption, including even such renowned hierarchs as Bishop Ignaty Brianchaninov and Bishop Theophan the Recluse. Thus for the sake of defending the complete correctness of Metropolitan Anthony's Dogma of Redemption, they are prepared to condemn the three most famous and revered hierarchs of the Russian Church in the 19th century as heretics!

     Where will it stop? How many more "juridical theorists" will be found in the annals of Orthodox Church history and among the ranks of the Orthodox saints? A consistent witch-hunt in search of "scholastic" heretics will go much further than the Bostonite hierarchs may realise. Thus, as we shall demonstrate later, rejection of the so-called "Augustinian" theory of original sin will involve rejecting the canon of the Council of Carthage on the baptism of children which is part of the teaching of the Seven Ecumenical Councils. Again, the rejection of the supposedly heretical translation of Romans 5.19 will have to involve rejection, not only of the Bible of the Orthodox West, the Latin Vulgate, but also of the Slavonic Bible translated by Saints Cyril and Methodius. Were Saints Cyril and Methodius also scholastic heretics – before scholasticism even came into existence?! The consequences of this "revisionism" are mind-boggling…

     So what is the alternative? Continue to bury the question again as it was buried in the course of several decades by the ROCA? Or, now that the ROCA has torn itself apart anyway, thrash it out once and for all? In our opinion, it is no longer possible to bury this conflict, for it has extended beyond the boundaries of the Church Abroad and is debated throughout Russia and in other countries. Moreover, it is not in the nature of the Orthodox Church, which is "the pillar and ground of the truth" (I Timothy 3.15), to leave fundamental questions of dogma unresolved when conflict has arisen over them. One may hope that the issue will simply "fade away"; but time and again, after a brief quiescence it re-emerges with renewed vigour. On the other hand, while the issue of truth cannot be deferred forever, it is reasonable to hope that at the end of the process those who are in the wrong will not be labelled heretics and condemned as such. St. Gregory of Nyssa, Blessed Augustine of Hippoand others were found to be wrong on certain important issues; but the Church has accepted them, without accepting their errors (as St. Photius the Great said of St. Augustine). We may hope that the same will be concluded concerning the errors contained in Metropolitan Anthony's Dogma of Redemption.

     For, on the one hand, he did not publicly insist on their acceptance.[7] And on the other, as one of his fairest critics, Fr. Seraphim Rose, writes, "it is a question not of heresy (in his most sympathetic critics and we won't be examining others), but rather of imperfection, of theology not thought through and consistent. He is not known as a careful theologian, rather as a great pastor whose theology was one of fits and starts. The question of `heresy' arises when his critics try to make him strictly accountable for every _expression and when they place him above all the Holy Fathers of the Church, for in several points the teaching of Metropolitan Anthony clearly contradicts the Fathers. His theology is at times closer to expressionism. Almost all but a few of his absolute devotees admit that Dogma of Redemption especially is very loose".[8]

     On the "looseness" of the work, and the difficulty of analysing it, many have commented. Thus immediately after the publication of The Dogma of Redemption in 1926, Protopriest Milosh Parenta wrote in the Serbian Church's official organ: "The tragedy of Metropolitan Anthony is amazing! A pillar of the faith in soul, a great Orthodox in his heart, a strict fulfiller and preserver of Church discipline to the smallest details. But when he approaches a scientific-theological examination and explanation of the dogmas, then he either insufficiently comprehends them, or he cannot avoid the temptation of, and enthusiasm for, modernism. The explanation of the dogma of redemption offered by the author in this work openly destroys the teaching on this truth faithfully preserved by the Orthodox Church, and with it the Christian Religion itself, because the truth of the redemption together with the truth of Christ's incarnation is its base and essence. However, it is necessary to recognize that it is very difficult to analyse this work of the author, because in it there are often no definite and clear concepts, although there are many extended speeches which hide the concepts or say nothing, and because in part there are no logical connections in it, nor any strictly scientific exposition, nor systematic unity".[9]

     However, in spite of these obstacles, an attempt will be made to undertake such an analysis in this work; for, whatever the dangers of criticising such a revered figure, the danger of allowing his mistaken opinions to spread and be exalted to the status of Orthodox dogma are still greater…[10]

Part 2 - The "Juridical Theory"

Part 3 - The Meaning of "Justification"

Part 4 - The Sacrifice for Sin

Part 5 - The Prayer in the Garden

Part 6 - Gethsemane vs. Golgotha

Part 7 - The Theory of "Moral Monism"

Part 8 - Original Sin

Part 9 - Conclusion: Love and Justice

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We get them all the time.  But one thing we do many are unaware of... We keep an automatic telephone log and then we turn them over to the same group who monitors and interacts with the hackers, etc.

It no longer matters if the caller telephones once in a day, every other day or every day or several times a week, once a week or for several months... All get logged, even those who think they have escaped notice by using the actual I.D. Caller number of "000-000-0000" which is has been used, even those who don't show up on caller I.D. as hang-ups now. With new technology being what it is it only takes one ring at a person's (receiving phone to activate some of the new technology being used which locks the caller's phone number in, even when they use by-pass alternate numbers to make shrewd calls).  We are advised one caller is facing terrorism criminal charges even though he used three different go-through numbers ranging all around the world, but were found to originate their call from California.  Hmmm.... what does this tell you?   Others, we are advised were found to be out of Michigan, Ohio, even Illinois and another state.

It is known that a telephone number showing up on some caller I.D.'s may actually be a telephone service provider phone number, yet... they too keep logs and information as to each individual cellular or local (their locale) phone usage... 

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Those who do such unscrupulous things, HATE some of the news, quotes, and such as to inform the general public.  Some of them pose as clergy, while a few are actually clergy from various "other" offshoot AMERICAN ORTHODOX CHURCH or other jurisdiction(s) of the same or similar name of which we are, in some instances, their former MOTHER CHURCH (as is the same named Toledo, Ohio based, an offshoot, who had once been a part of us and unknowingly to our unworthy selves, were once a part of the clergy but they did not obtain permission to leave the jurisdiction they were under, according to Canon, and thus obtained for themselves re-ordination and consecrations, several times... and then using a variety of church names, including our own after they were defrocked and excommunicated, having more than three (3) times being excommunicated by other legitimate apostles/bishops); having joined in and with  "Independent" churches who have nothing to do with us or even true Orthodoxy.  We have the information on their numerous "Paper Church" names and name changes.  But the real issue is whether they were ever truly an ordained Priest and bishop?

It is true that when one is ordained to the priesthood, the old saying of "Once a Priest, always a priest forever..." holds true... But where there has been or is deception and fraud involved, the old saying is invalid altogether which is the stool kicked out from under any subsequent consecrations as a Bishop for the Episcopacy has then been obtained on a sheet of lies and therefore they are frauds, wolves in sheep's clothing.  The problem here is with civil authorities and agencies. 

Any documents a false one obtains from those who ordained him, including subsequent documents relating to consecrations; civil authorities never (or hardly ever) verify their validity and thus issue their own documents and errantly recognize the individual. 

These false sheep in wolf's clothing seek to go out of their way to character assassinate and disparage religious web sites who do not meet their own brand of standardization and those who know where the proverbial "bones are buried on them" which is evidence of the wolf not being "Orthodox" "Christian" or even "Catholic" no matter what their nomenclature corporate name may be.  The Toldeo, Ohio based same or similar named person/group under his/their so-called leader has been deposed, defrocked and excommunicated more than three different times by various bishops/apostles.  He, and several others, have become just as bad as the modern day Ecumenists of the National Council of Churches, World Council of Churches, the World Council of Bishops and more.  It matters not now... whether they use the so-called name of "Athonite" "Benedictine" "Celtic" "Old Roman" "Old Catholic" - etc..  A name does not make one Christian. Their ultimate aim and goal is destruction to those from whom they had either originated from or gone through to obtain the same or similar named "church" they claim to hold to by the state's civil law in which they reside alone.  They are not a "Schema-monk" or even a true "monk" for they were deposed and excommunicated for violations of the Holy Rule they claim to subscribe to, giving and openly providing false misleading and inaccurate information about other more honorable clergy.  These 'wolves in sheep's clothing attract other nefarious and questionable persons whose aims are similar: for fame, image, power and glory, and if it should be that 'fortunes' come along, all the more is their power based.

    Remember, anything that is a HALF TRUTH is not truth but a lie!  Many there are that you may know who fit those descriptions... pray for them.  Pray that God will send his Spirit of Truth upon them and lead them to Salvation through tears of Repentance, conversion of their cold and calculating hearts toward seeking forgiveness from God and those whom they attempt to harm. 

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 Those kinds of people, organizations, etc. who misuse and abuse communication technologies are no different than those who attempt to use coercive measures, and in some instance, even blackmail for the same idea is involved... to cause havoc and wreckage, to destroy the spirit and activity of those who struggle in the faith out of pain of heart for the Orthodox Church which is TRUTH. The degree that some have been known to go to, as seen by other jurisdictions, is to take advantage of questionably mentally challenged or those who have a lack of education and understanding to get them to make statements, even outright lies, in writing, in order to destroy.  Such persons or groups are spiritual terrorists for unholy and un-Orthodox causes, aims and goals.

    Yes, our Metropolitan Archbishop, +Joseph Thaddeus, SSJt., Ph.D. strongly defends the Seals of the Confessional for such leads to true Repentance in thought, word and deed whereby the penitent is required to make amends, where possible, to seek forgiveness of those harmed by his actions whether real or imagined, and to give his forgiveness to those who have harmed him before taking the Holy Body and Blood in the Eucharist, Jesus the Christ.  The reality of this understanding is bound up in and with the findings for which cause he, himself, had been character assassinated by his detractors who claim the courts prevented him from breaking the Seals of the Confessional which is not the truth at all.... Click here to see what another bishop's findings are...

    The workings of Holy Spirit will not be daunted by those who attempt to cause disruption!  It is for these and other reasons that you are urged to read what true repentance and forgiveness means for real "Christians".

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    Yes, our Metropolitan Archbishop, +Joseph Thaddeus, SSJt., Ph.D. strongly defends the Seals of the Confessional for such leads to true Repentance in thought, word and deed whereby the penitent is required to make amends, where possible, to seek forgiveness of those harmed by his actions whether real or imagined, and to give his forgiveness to those who have harmed him before taking the Holy Body and Blood in the Eucharist, Jesus the Christ.  The reality of this understanding is bound up in and with the findings for which cause he, himself, had been character assassinated by his detractors who claim the courts prevented him from breaking the Seals of the Confessional which is not the truth at all.... Click here to see what another bishop's findings are...

    The workings of Holy Spirit will not be daunted by those who attempt to cause disruption!  It is for these and other reasons that you are urged to read what true repentance and forgiveness means for real "Christians".

   "It would be better to have ten (10) true repentant X-felons who ask for and give true forgiveness than it would be to have one (1) non-x-felon or common person whose self-righteousness exceeds even the Pharisees, Sadducees, the gossip mongers, slanderers and un-repentant; for the repentant x-felon understands the true meaning of the Church's purpose as being the spiritual hospital." (siq) +Joseph Thaddeus, OSB, SSJt., Ph.D., Metropolitan Archbishop, Archabbot, Primate

Yes... "Prejudice Makes Prisoners of the Hated and the Hater..." (1992-Fr. Alan Stanford)

One can ask, "What part of 'Prejudice' and 'hate' do you not understand?  Are you a complacent person?  In light of the saying, examine yourself!  You may be surprised if you are honest with yourself for your soul may convict you before Jesus Christ convicts you in the times to come!

"When tested by some trial you should try to find out not why or through whom it came, but only how to endure it gratefully, without distress or rancor."

St. Mark the Ascetic.

"Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit." Psalms 32:1-2
 

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If You have a question that you wish to ask, please feel free to submit it.  However, may it be suggested that you review all previous questions for the Month and also the Archive of questions previously asked for your question may have already been answered. 

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Twenty First Century Desert Fathers

Who Are: The Thaddeans?

Lines of Apostolic Succession of His Eminence

 AOC CLERGY

In The Shadows

Suggested Reading:

Privacy Watch NOTICE to VISITORS ABOUT OUR E-MAIL, Telephone and Response POLICY - Updated

Saint Jude Thaddeus (Helper of the Hopeless) and  The Thaddean Fathers (SSJt.)

MAN: To Err, the Church and Holy Spirit

The True meaning of Repentance and forgiveness

AN OPEN LETTER TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE CLERGY

Is Christianity At The Cross Roads?

As The World Goes, So Goes The Church

Anomalies in Ecclesiology of Contemporary Orthodox Churches

Attempts at Coming to An Understanding of Orthodox Catholic Christianity

A Response to two articles: “Pedophilia Condoned (Approved) By Islam” & “Dalai Lama With Roman Catholics, Greek Orthodox and Others"

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GRAMMATA ON THE MEANING OF CANONICAL

The Definition and Meaning of "Orthodoxy"
 

Orthodox Catholic Christian Fasts, Feasts, and Daily Prayers

See the Main Page for Weekly-Daily listings/Commemoration's Page

To Change the Nation and the World

• Salt of Christians and Christianity

• America & the World - What is in Store..

• The Meat of Christianity

• The Seat of Moses, Its Powers and Perils

• Problems of Orthodoxy in America

• Anomalies in Ecclesiology of Contemporary Orthodox Churches

• Attempts at Coming to An Understanding of Orthodox Catholic Christianity

• THE FATHERS OF THE CHURCH A most Important Article -  NEW

• Celibacy and the Priesthood In These Modern Times

• An Invitation to Dialogue

• Various Divine Liturgies

•  The 2005 Declaration of the Holy Synod of Bishops and Clergy