Eastern Orthodox Believe Hell Is Eternal

[Cole]

I called the Eastern Orthodox church where I live and they assured me that they believe hell is eternal. This agrees with the Orthodox Study Bible:

Hell or Hades (Sheol), where sinners’ souls are separated from their bodies, will give up its dead to Gehenna, the lake of fire that burns with sulphur, which is eternal damnation (Matt. 25:41). Sinners will be excluded from the blessedness of the age to come. - Note on Revelation 20:4-6, page 1743.

Let us also recall the parable about the Last Judgment (Mat 25:31-46). When Christ comes in His glory with all the angels, He will gather all the nations before Him for universal judgment. Everyone will be divided into two groups–the sheep on the right and the goats on the left–before Christ the King. The ones on the right will be blessed and given the inheritance of the eternal kingdom. The ones on the left will be cursed and sent off to eternal fire. What will make the difference? What will be the criterion of judgment? Works of mercy! Feeding the hungry, welcoming the stranger, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and the prisoner. Jesus declared: “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me” (Mat 25:40). - goarch.org/ourfaith/how-are-we-saved

[Cole]

I also like their views about suffering in the world:

Suffering is not a problem, but an unfathomable, theoretically incomprehensible mystery. We should not try to explain suffering or construct theories about the reasons for suffering in the world and systematic explanations that seek to reconcile innocent suffering with belief in a good and all powerful God.

I also agree with what they teach on the sufferings of Christ:

The suffering and death of Jesus were the outcome of his public ministry, his preaching and making present the reign of God. The death of Jesus cannot be an isolated act of redemption detached from what transpired in His life. The crucifixion of Jesus was the intrinsic historical consequence of both His message and His lifestyle. The cross is salvific only in light of what God has accomplished in the Resurrection. The Crucifixion of Jesus should be envisioned as the ultimate expression of human rejection of salvation-from-God offered in Jesus. God, who according to Leviticus ‘abominates human sacrifices’ (Lev. 18:21–30; 20:1–5), did not put Jesus on the Cross. Human beings did that.

goarch.org/ourfaith/suffering

[Cole]

I also like the fact that they teach salvation is a mystery:

The mystery of salvation is a duet, not a solo. It is a life-time engagement with God. It has ups and downs, twists and turns, with opportunities to grow in the love of God, knowing that we can turn to Him again and again and receive forgiveness and a new birth.

goarch.org/ourfaith/how-are-we-saved

[anon12438761]

I’m not sure that the NOTES in the OSB are as inspired as the scriptures, though. I should talk - at one time I thought the Scofield notes were inspired!

[Cole]

The notes are the Eastern Orthodox interpretations of the scriptures.

[anon12438761]

Right. I’m looking for a good used copy of the OSB, perhaps an after-Christmas sale? It sounds like a good resource.

[akimel]

It’s important to remember that Eastern Orthodoxy does not believe that hell (or Gehenna) yet exists: it will only come into existence at the Final Judgment. Those state of those who find themselves condemned at the Final Judgment is irreversible and irredeemable. Their suffering is caused by their definitive rejection of God. Eastern Orthodoxy “created” the free-will defense of God.

Take a look at these citations from St John of Damascus: preachersinstitute.com/2013/12/0 … s-on-hell/.

It should be noted, however, that a universalist minority report continues within the Eastern Church.

[Paidion]

This is a link to Orthodox Metropolitan Kallistos Ware speaking on the topic of Salvation in Christ. It’s long but worth listening to.

In my opinion there are somewhat different veiws among the Orthodox concerning ultimate reconciliation to God. I think some of them believe in “hopeful” universal reconciliation.

youtube.com/watch?v=3F7h-TStNd8