THE RIVER OF FIRE.doc

8/11/2019 THE RIVER OF FIRE.doc

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"THE RIVER OF FIRE" REVISITED

Written by Vladimir Moss

THE RIVER OF FIRE REVISITED

Yet saith the house of Israel, The way of the Lord is not equal. O house of Israel, are not

My ways equal? Are not your ways unequal? Therefore I will judge you, O house of

Israel, every one according to his ways.

Ezekiel 18.29-30.

Alexander Kalomiros 1980 arti!le" #$e %i&er o' (ire" $as a!)*ired 'or many

En+lis$-s,eakin+ rt$odox t$e stat*s o' a !lassi! o' rt$odox soteriolo+y. o/e&er"many also dis,*te t$is stat*s" and re+ard it as a dan+ero*sly rotestantizin+ /ork. #$e

,*r,ose o' t$is arti!le is to examine /$et$er #$e %i&er o' (ire tr*ly re'le!ts t$e

,atristi! !onsens*s or not.

Kalomiros main t$esis is t$at o*r sal&ation de,ends ,rimarily on o*rsel&es" on o*r

a!!e,tan!e or ree!tion o' ods lo&e 'or mankind. ods +ra!e s$ines on t$e *st and

on t$e *n*st alike" and is ne&er t*rned a/ay 'rom sinners" e&en in t$e de,t$s o' $ell.

*t /e ex,erien!e t$at +ra!e in di''erent /ays de,endin+ on o*r inner dis,osition4 as

,aradise i' /e ret*rn lo&e /it$ lo&e" and as $ell'ire i' /e ret*rn lo&e /it$ $atred. od

does not ,*nis$ ex!e,t ,eda+o+i!ally at any rate" /it$in t$e bo*nds o' o*r eart$ly li'e.

E&en at t$e 5ast 6*d+ement od does not ,*nis$ t$e *n*st to do so /o*ld be

,ointless and !r*el" sin!e it !o*ld $a&e no ,eda+o+i!al ,*r,ose. %at$er" t$e ri&er o'

'ire" ods +ra!e" ,ro!eedin+" as /e see on i!ons o' t$e 5ast 7ay" 'rom *nder ods

*d+ement seat" enli+$tens and /arms t$ose /$o lo&e od /$ile b*rnin+ and

!ons*min+ t$ose /$o $ate im. od ,lays no a!ti&e ,art in t$is4 it is /e /$o 'reely

!$oose $ea&en or $ell 'or o*rsel&es.1

:n s*,,ort o' $is t$esis" Kalomiros )*otes 'rom t$e oly (at$ers" in ,arti!*lar ;t. :saa!

t$e ;yrianso!iliesand ;t. asil t$e reatsAgainst Those "ho #ay that $od is the

Author of %vils.

(rom ;t. :saa! $e deri&es t$e tea!$in+ t$at sin!e od is all-mer!i'*l to/ards *s"

'or+i&in+ *s e&en /$en /e sin a+ain and a+ain" /e !annot s,eak o' is bein+just

to/ards *s mer!y on t$is s!ale ex!l*des *sti!e. (rom ;t. asil $e deri&es t$e tea!$in+

t$at sin!e all t$e a,,arent e&ils t$at od sends *,on *s illnesses" !alamities"

s*''erin+s o' all kinds are in 'a!t desi+ned to deli&er *s 'rom t$e only real e&il" /$i!$

is sin" e !annot be said to ,*nis$ *s in any real sense.

:n s*m" t$ere'ore" Kalomiros t$esis amo*nts to t$e assertion t$at od is lo&e" b*t not

*sti!e" and t$at e !orre!ts" b*t does not ,*nis$.

;o : ,ro,ose to examine $is t$esis *nder t/o $eadin+s4 1. Is God Just?and 2. DoesGod Punish?


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1. Is God Just?#$e ans/er to t$is )*estion is so ob&io*sly4 yes" t$at readers may be

in!lined to t$ink t$at : am bein+ *n*st to Kalomiros in assertin+ t$at $e belie&es

ot$er/ise. ' !o*rse $e belie&es t$at od is *st< e sim,ly de'ines t$e /ord *sti!e

in a di''erent /ay

=es" t$at is ,re!isely /$at $e does. e rede'ines *sti!e in s*!$ a /ay as to abolis$ itin t$e sense t$at it is *s*ally *nderstood. 5et *s examine $o/ $e a!!om,lis$es t$is

W$at Westerners !all *sti!e" /rites Kalomiros" o*+$t rat$er to be !alled resentment

and &en+ean!e o' t$e /orst kind. #$is is es,e!ially e&ident" $e says" in t$e /estern

>?at$oli!@ do+mas o' ori+inal sin and redem,tion. #$*s a!!ordin+ to t$e /estern do+ma

o' ori+inal sin" *sti!e is not at all *st sin!e it ,*nis$es and demands satis'a!tion 'rom

,ersons /$o /ere not at all res,onsible 'or t$e sin o' t$eir 'ore'at$ers. A+ain" t$e

/estern do+ma o' redem,tion !ontains t$e s!$izoid notion o' a od /$o kills od in

order to satis'y t$e so-!alled *sti!e o' od >,. @. #$e ori+in o' /estern at$eism"

a!!ordin+ to Kalomiros" lies in a >$ealt$y@ rea!tion a+ainst t$is 'alse do+matizin+"

/$ose ori+ins +o ba!k to A*+*stine in t$e 'o*rt$ !ent*ry.

: /ill not $ere attem,t to examine /$et$er ?at$oli! t$eolo+ians !on!e,t o' *sti!e is

really resentment and &en+ean!e o' t$e /orst kind" nor /$et$er /estern at$eism

really ori+inates in a rea!tion a+ainst it. : /ill only ,oint o*t $o/ stran+e it is t$at t$e

oly (at$ers said so little abo*t t$is" and t$at /e $ad to /ait *ntil t$e a,,earan!e o'

Alexander Kalomiros >and $is immediate 'orer*nners" s*!$ as 6o$n %omanides@ be'ore

it /as re&ealed t$at a 'alse !on!e,tion o' *sti!e /as t$e !ore $eresy o' t$e West. #$e

oly (at$ers /$o s,oke most" and most a*t$oritati&ely" abo*t t$e /estern $eresies - ;;.

$oti*s t$e reat" re+ory alamas and Mark o' E,$es*s s,oke m*!$ abo*t s*!$

$eresies as t$e (ilio)*e" ,a,al absol*tism and !reated +ra!e" b*t not$in+" to my

kno/led+e" abo*t a 'alse !on!e,tion o' *sti!e in t$e do+mas o' ori+inal sin and

redem,tion. #$is is not to say t$at t$ere /ere no distortions in /estern t$inkin+ on t$ese

s*be!ts $eresy in one area o' t$eolo+y tends to introd*!e s*btly distorted t$inkin+ in

se&eral ot$er areas. *t e&idently t$e oly (at$ers did not !onsider t$ese distortions

serio*s eno*+$ to make t$em maor st*mblin+-blo!ks to *nion /it$ t$e West. Bor did

t$ey a+ree /it$ Kalomiros in !onsiderin+ A*+*stine o' i,,o to be t$e 'o*nt o' t$e

/estern $eresies. n t$e !ontrary" t$e (i't$ E!*meni!al ?o*n!il ,ro!laimed $im $oly"

and ;t. $oti*s t$e reat embra!ed $im" /$ile not a!!e,tin+ $is errors on 'ree /ill"

t$e ba,tism o' $ereti!s" et!.

*t Kalomiros +oes still '*rt$er ba!k t$an ;t. A*+*stine is $is sear!$ 'or t$e ori+ins o't$is !on!e,tion. #$e reek /ord 'or *sti!e" dikaios*n$" is" $e ar+*es" ,a+an in ori+in

and is !$ar+ed /it$ $*man notions /$i!$ !o*ld easily lead to mis*nderstandin+s. (irst

o' all" t$e /ord dikaios*n$ brin+s to mind an e)*al distrib*tion. #$is is /$y it is

re,resented by a balan!e. #$e +ood are re/arded and t$e bad are ,*nis$ed by $*man

so!iety in a 'air /ay. #$is is $*man *sti!e" t$e one /$i!$ takes ,la!e in !o*rt. :s t$is

t$e meanin+ o' ods *sti!e" $o/e&er #$e /ord dikaios*n$" *sti!e" is a translation

o' t$e ebrai! /ord tsedaka. #$is /ord means t$e 7i&ine ener+y t$at a!!om,lis$es

mans sal&ation. :t is ,arallel and almost synonymo*s to t$e ot$er ebrai! /ord" $esed

/$i!$ means mer!y" !om,assion" lo&e" and to t$e /ord emet$ /$i!$ means

'idelity" tr*t$. #$is" as yo* see" +i&es a !om,letely ot$er dimension to /$at /e

*s*ally !on!ei&e as *sti!e. >,. C@.


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:t may /ell +i&e an extra dimension to t$e *nderstandin+ o' *sti!e" b*t it does not

!$an+e its essential" root meanin+" /$i!$ remains t$at o' e)*ity and balan!e. We see

t$is &ery !learly in t$e Kontakion o' t$e Bint$ o*r4 :n t$e midst o' t/o t$ie&es" #$y

?ross /as 'o*nd to be a &alance of justice?.6*sti!e means not$in+ i' it does not mean a

balan!in+ o' +ood a+ainst e&il" so t$at e&il is destroyed t$ro*+$ its bein+ o*t/ei+$ed by

t$e +ood. #$*s t$e s*,remely +ood /ork t$at ?$rist did on t$e ?ross is balan!ed a+ainstall t$e e&il !ommitted by all men 'rom t$e be+innin+ to t$e end o' time and t$e +ood

o*t/ei+$s t$e e&il. :n t$at !onsists o*r sal&ation and redem,tion" t$e'ro'itiation'or

o*r sins" as ;t. 6o$n t$e #$eolo+ian ,*ts it" or o*rjustification" as ;t. a*l ,*ts it.

:n any !ase" t$ere is s*rely no !ontradi!tion in meanin+ bet/een t$e t/o /ords 'or

*sti!e - Kalomiros !one!t*ral ebre/ /ord tsedaka and t$e reek dikaios*n$.

6*sti!e as t$e 7i&ine ener+y t$at a!!om,lis$es t$e sal&ation o' man is ,er'e!tly

!om,atible /it$ *sti!e as t$e restoration o' a state o' balan!e" t$at is" ri+$teo*sness or

blamelessness in manDs relations$i, /it$ $is 'ello/ man and /it$ od. ;in *,set t$e

balan!e in t$is relations$i," !reatin+ in*sti!e. 6*sti!e is restored t$ro*+$ t$e destr*!tion

o' sin4 on t$e ,art o' od" by is ,er'e!t ;a!ri'i!e and ,ro,itiation 'or t$e sins o' allmen" and on t$e ,art o' man by tr*e 'ait$ in t$at ;a!ri'i!e aradoxi!ally" t$ere is

somet$in+ /estern and rationalist and Kalomiros attem,t to demote t$e s*,,osedly

,a+an /ord dikaios*n$ in 'a&o*r o' t$e ebre/ tsedaka. od t$e oly ;,irit de!reed

t$at t$e oly ;!ri,t*res o' t$e Be/ #estament s$o*ld be /ritten in reek" t$e lan+*a+e

$a&in+ t$e +reatest ,$iloso,$i!al ,re!ision and so,$isti!ation in t$e an!ient /orld. #$e

reek text !annot t$ere'ore be said to be in any /ay a translation o'" or deri&ation 'rom"

a s*,,osedly ,*rer" more +odly ebre/ ori+inal4 it is t$e ori+inal. ebre/ is t$e

ori+inal lan+*a+e o' t$e ld #estament. And yet /e do not $a&e t$e ori+inal ebre/

text. We $a&e t$e Massoreti! text" /$i!$ dates 'rom many !ent*ries a'ter ?$rist and $as

,robably been !orr*,ted by t$e rabbis. #$e text t$at ,robably !orres,onds most !losely

to t$e ori+inal" b*t no/ lost ebre/ is t$e early reek translation by t$e ;e&enty" /$i!$

remains to t$is day t$e o''i!ial text o' t$e ld #estament in t$e rt$odox ?$*r!$.

Western s!$olars sin!e 5*t$er $a&e lo&ed tryin+ to *neart$ t$e real meanin+ o' t$e

reek ;!ri,t*res by +oin+ to t$e ebre/. ?om,arisons /it$ t$e ebre/ are not

ne!essarily ille+itimate" and !an be +en*inely ill*minatin+ in t$e $ands o' tr*ly

rt$odox s!$olars s*!$ as Metro,olitan $ilaret o' Mos!o/ >see $is (o!!entary on

$enesis@. *t as o'ten as not s*!$ !om,arisons are ille+itimate attem,ts to ,ro&e a 'alse

t$eolo+i!al t$eory by +ettin+ ro*nd t$e ,lain meanin+ o' t$e reek text.

:n Kalomiros !ase" $e is !learly tryin+ to ,ro&e t$at *sti!e does not mean /$at it)*ite ,lainly means in t$e /ritin+s o' t$e a,ostles" b*t rat$er mer!y" lo&e and

tr*t$" on t$e +ro*nds t$at t$e ebre/ /ord 'or *sti!e is etymolo+i!ally related to

t$e /ords 'or mer!y" lo&e and tr*t$. Bo/ nobody do*bts t$at ods *sti!e is

related in a ,ro'o*nd /ay to is mer!y" lo&e and tr*t$. :t !o*ld not be ot$er/ise" sin!e

e is t$e 'o*nt o' all +ood" and o' all tr*e &al*es. Be&ert$eless" it is ob&io*s t$at

*sti!e is not equivalentto mer!y" lo&e and tr*t$. And it is e)*ally ob&io*s"

!ontrary to Kalomiros" t$at t$e root meanin+ o' *sti!e $as to do /it$ e)*ity"

balan!e and !om,ensation. #$e )*estion 'or t$e t$eolo+ian is4 $o/ is ods *sti!e

to be re!on!iled /it$ is mer!y" lo&e and tr*t$ y sim,ly rede'inin+ *sti!e in terms

o' mer!y" lo&e and tr*t$" Kalomiros $as not ans/ered t$is )*estion" merely

&y'assed it t$ro*+$ a &erbal slei+$t o' $and.


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At t$is ,oint Kalomiros brin+s in ;t. :saa!4 o/ !an yo* !all od *st" /$en yo* read

t$e ,assa+e on t$e /a+e +i&en to t$e /orkers (riends" : do t$ee no /ron+ : /ill +i&e

*nto t$is last e&en as *nto t$ee /$o /orked 'or me 'rom t$e 'irst $o*r. :s t$ine eye e&il"

be!a*se : am +ood o/ !an a man !all od *st /$en $e !omes a!ross t$e ,assa+e

on t$e ,rodi+al son" /$o /asted $is /ealt$ in rioto*s li&in+" and yet only 'or t$e

!ontrition /$i!$ $e s$o/ed" t$e 'at$er ran and 'ell *,on $is ne!k" and +a&e $ima*t$ority o&er all $is /ealt$ Bone ot$er b*t is &ery ;on said t$ese t$in+s !on!ernin+

im lest /e do*bt it" and t$*s e bare /itness !on!ernin+ im. W$ere" t$en" is ods

*sti!e" 'or /$ilst /e /ere sinners" ?$rist died 'or *s


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may !on!ede t$at t$e do!trine o' ori+inal sin" /$ereby t$e sin o' Adam and E&e is

,assed on to t$eir des!endants" is *n*st 'rom a narro/ly $*man ,oint o' &ie/. And let

*s '*rt$er !on!ede t$at ?$rists sal&ation o' mankind on t$e ?ross /$en mankind took

no ,art in is ;a!ri'i!e is similarly *n*st. We neit$er deser&e t$e ,*nis$ment o' t$e

ori+inal !*rse" nor t$e sal&ation o' t$e s*bse)*ent redem,tion. o/e&er" t$e in*sti!e

o' o*r sal&ation ,er'e!tly balan!es" mat!$es" and blots o*t t$e in*sti!e o' o*r ori+inal!ondemnation. And t$ereby *sti!e is a!$ie&ed in t$e most ,er'e!t /ay. #$is balan!e" or

,arallelism" bet/een o*r 'all in t$e 'irst Adam and o*r res*rre!tion in t$e se!ond" is t$e

!entral t$eme o' ;t. a*ls E,istle to t$e %omans. And !o+nates o' t$e reek

a!!ordin+ to Kalomiros"'agan reek /ord 'or *sti!e" dikaios*n$" o!!*r

t$ro*+$o*t. #$*s4 as t$ro*+$ one o''en!e !ondemnation !ame *,on all men" so

t$ro*+$ one ri+$teo*s a!t dikai/matoV t$e 'ree +i't !ame *,on all men *nto

*sti'i!ation dikai/sin o' li'e. (or as by one mans disobedien!e many /ere made

sinners" so by t$e obedien!e o' ne s$all many be made ri+$teo*s dikaioi >%omans

.18-19@.

#$ere are '*rt$er ,aradoxes $ere. ;in" t$at is" in*sti!e" is !om,letely blotted o*t - b*tby t$e *n*st deat$ and ;a!ri'i!e o' t$e nly ;inless and 6*st ne. ?$rist !ame Fin t$e

likeness o' sin'*l 'les$F >%omans 8.3@ and died t$e deat$ o' a sinner" t$o*+$ e /as

sinless. #$e inno!ent ead died t$at t$e +*ilty ody s$o*ld li&e. e" t$e 6*st ne" W$o

!ommitted no sin" took *,on imsel' t$e sins o' t$e /$ole /orld. W$en /e !o*ld not

,ay t$e ,ri!e" e ,aid it 'or *s /$en /e /ere dead in sin" e died to +i&e *s li'e. F(or

?$rist $at$ on!e s*''ered 'or sins" t$e 6*st 'or t$e *n*stF >: eter 3.18@. And t$e

+reatness o' t$is ;a!ri'i!e /as so +reat in t$e eyes o' 7i&ine *sti!e t$at it blotted o*t

t$e sins o' t$e /$ole /orld - o' all men" t$at is" /$o res,ond to t$is 'ree +i't /it$

+ratit*de and re,entan!e.

(or only one /ork is re)*ired on o*r side t$e /ork o' 'ait$" o' ri+$tly belie&in+ in

t$e ;a!ri'i!e o' ?$rist ,re!isely t$e /ork t$at Kalomiros /o*ld $a&e *s deny" or at

any rate reinter,ret in s*!$ a /ay as to deny its tr*e nat*re. (or as t$e 5ord imsel'

says4 #$is is t$e /ork o' od t$at ye belie&e on im W$om e $at$ sent >6o$n

C.29@" t$at is" on im W$om od $at$ set 'ort$ to be a ,ro,itiation t$ro*+$ 'ait$ in is

blood t$at e mi+$t be *st and t$e *sti'ier o' $im /$o belie&et$ in 6es*s >%omans

3.2" 2C@. :' /e a!!e,t ods Work o' *sti!e /it$ tr*e 'ait$ and +ratit*de" t$en t$is

'ait$ o' o*rs" like t$at o' Abra$am" is a!!o*nted to *s 'or ri+$teo*sness >%omans G.3@

- t$at is" 'or o*r *sti'i!ation" o*r loosin+ 'rom all in*sti!e" or sin.

#$e ?$*r!$ $as ex,ressed t$is ,aradox o' 7i&ine 6*sti!e /it$ +reat elo)*en!e4 F?ome"all ye ,eo,les" and let *s &enerate t$e blessed Wood" t$ro*+$ /$i!$ the eternal justice

$as been bro*+$t to ,ass. (or $e /$o by a tree de!ei&ed o*r 'ore'at$er Adam" is by t$e

?ross $imsel' de!ei&ed and $e /$o by tyranny +ained ,ossession o' t$e !reat*re

endo/ed by od /it$ royal di+nity" is o&ert$ro/n in $eadlon+ 'all. y t$e lood o'

od t$e ,oison o' t$e ser,ent is /as$ed a/ay and t$e !*rse o' a just !ondemnation is

loosed by t$e unjust,*nis$ment in'li!ted on t$e*ust. (or it /as 'ittin+ t$at /ood

s$o*ld be $ealed by /ood" and t$at t$ro*+$ t$e assion o' ne W$o kne/ not ,assion

s$o*ld be remitted all t$e s*''erin+s o' $im /$o /as !ondemned be!a*se o' /ood. *t

+lory to #$ee" ?$rist o*r Kin+" 'or #$y dread dis,ensation to/ards *s" /$ereby #$o*

$ast sa&ed *s all" 'or #$o* art +ood and lo&est mankind.F2


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2. Does God Punish?Kalomiros /rites4 od ne&er takes &en+ean!e. is ,*nis$ments

are lo&in+ means o' !orre!tion" as lon+ as anyt$in+ !an be !orre!ted and $ealed in t$is

li'e. #$ey ne&er extend to eternity >,. C@

*t $o/ !an t$is be tr*e< W$at abo*t t$e senten!e o' deat$ ,assed on all mankind"

/$i!$ is !alled a !*rse in so many !$*r!$ texts :s t$at not a ,*nis$ment

W$at abo*t t$e terrible deat$s o' &ario*s sinners" s*!$ as A$ab and 6ezabel" Ananias

and ;a,,$ira" eliodor*s and erod and ;imon Ma+*s o/ !an t$ey be said to $a&e

been lo&in+ means o' !orre!tion" sin!e t$ey mani'estly did not !orre!t t$e sinners

in&ol&ed" /$o /ere in!orri+ible And /$at abo*t t$e torments o' +e$enna 7o t$ey not

extend to eternity Will not t$e 5ord imsel' say to t$e !ondemned at t$e 5ast

6*d+ement4 7e,art 'rom Me" ye !*rsed" into everlasting'ire" ,re,ared 'or t$e de&il and

$is an+els >Matt$e/ 2.G1@

Kalomiros /rites4 7eat$ /as not in'li!ted *,on *s by od. We 'ell into it by o*r

re&olt. >,. C@. And $e )*otes ;t. asil4 od did not !reate deat$" b*t /e bro*+$t it*,on o*rsel&es.

?ertainly od did not !reate deat$. And !ertainly /e bro*+$t it *,on o*rsel&es by o*r

/il'*l trans+ression o' is !ommandment. *t does t$is mean t$at od /as !om,letely

ina!ti&e in is ,rono*n!ement o' t$e senten!e on Adam and E&e" in t$eir ex,*lsion

'rom Eden" in is ,la!in+ t$e !$er*bim /it$ t$e s/ord o' 'ire to ,re&ent t$eir ret*rn

' !o*rse not< od did not /ill o*r 'irst ,arents to 'all. Bor did e" bein+ 5i'e :tsel'"

!reate deat$. o/e&er" e allowed o*r 'irst ,arents to 'all" and e ,ermitted deat$ to

enter into t$eir li'e. W$y artly in order to !orre!t t$em" to $*mble t$em and lead t$em

to re,entan!e. artly in order to !*t o'' sin and allo/ t$e dissol*tion o' t$e body 'or t$e

sake o' its '*t*re res*rre!tion. And ,artly be!a*se cri!e requires 'unish!ent" be!a*se

od is t$e *st 6*d+e W$o !annot allo/ sin to +o *n,*nis$ed.

#$is is !on'irmed by ;t. 6o$n o' 7amas!*s" /$o /rites4 FA *d+e *stly ,*nis$es one

/$o is +*ilty o' /ron+doin+ and i' $e does not ,*nis$ $im $e is $imsel' a /ron+doer.

:n ,*nis$in+ $im t$e *d+e is not t$e !a*se eit$er o' t$e /ron+doin+ or o' t$e

&en+ean!e taken a+ainst t$e /ron+doer" t$e !a*se bein+ t$e /ron+doerDs 'reely !$osen

a!tions. #$*s too od" W$o sa/ /$at /as +oin+ to $a,,en as i' it $ad already

$a,,ened" *d+ed it as i' it $ad taken ,la!e and i' it /as e&il" t$at /as t$e !a*se o' its

bein+ ,*nis$ed. :t /as od W$o !reated man" so o' !o*rse $e !reated $im in +oodness

b*t man did e&il o' $is o/n 'ree !$oi!e" and is $imsel' t$e !a*se o' t$e &en+ean!e t$ato&ertakes $im.F3

;o man is t$e *ltimate !a*se o' $is o/n misery4 b*t t$at by no means im,lies t$at od

does not ,*nis$ $im.

A+ain" ;t. $oti*s t$e reat /rites4 5et *s !om,re$end t$e de,t$s o' t$e Masters

!lemen!y. e +a&e deat$ as a ,*nis$ment" b*t t$ro*+$ is o/n deat$ e trans'ormed it

as a +ate to immortality. :t /as a resol*tion o' an+er and dis,leas*re" b*t it anno*n!es

t$e !ons*mmate +oodness o' t$e 6*d+eG

#$*s t$e tr*t$ is more !om,lex t$an Kalomiros /o*ld $a&e it. 7eat$ is &oth a,*nis$ment and " t$ro*+$ ?$rists o/n 7eat$" a deli&eran!e 'rom deat$. :t is &oth


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*d+ement and mer!y. Bor !o*ld it be ot$er/ise 'or od is &oth lo&e and *sti!e. As ;t.

6o$n o' t$e 5adder says" e is !alledjustice as /ell as lo&e.

#*rnin+ no/ to t$e )*estion o' eternal torments" /e note t$at Kalomiros does not deny

t$eir existen!e" b*t denies t$at t$ey are in'li!ted by od be!a*se od ne&er ,*nis$es

>,. 19@. %at$er" t$ey are sel'-in'li!ted. A'ter t$e ?ommon %es*rre!tion t$ere is no)*estion o' any ,*nis$ment 'rom od. ell is not a ,*nis$ment 'rom od b*t a sel'-

!ondemnation. As ;aint asil t$e reat says" #$e e&ils in $ell do not $a&e od as t$eir

!a*se" b*t o*rsel&es. >,. 1C@.

Kalomiros $ere deliberately !on'*ses t/o &ery di''erent t$in+s4 t$e !rime o' t$e

!riminal" and t$e senten!e o' t$e *d+e. :' t$e *d+e senten!es t$e !riminal to ,rison 'or

$is !rime" it is ob&io*s t$at t$e ,rimary !a*se o' t$e !riminals bein+ in ,rison is $is

o/n !riminal a!tions4 it is t$e !riminal $imsel' /$o is *ltimately res,onsible 'or $is

miserable !ondition t$is is !learly t$e ,oint t$at ;t. asil is makin+. Be&ert$eless" it is

e)*ally ob&io*s t$at t$e *d+e" too" $as a $and in t$e matter. :t is $e /$o de!ides bot$

/$et$er t$e !riminal is +*ilty or inno!ent" and t$e +entleness or se&erity o' t$e senten!e.:n ot$er /ords" t$ere are t/o a!tors and t/o a!tions in&ol&ed $ere" not one.

Kalomiros also deliberately !on'*ses t$e 'ree a!ts o' t$e !riminal and $is !oer!ed"

*n'ree s*bmission to $is senten!e. #$*s" !orr*,tin+ t$e /ords o' ?$rist in Matt$e/

2.G1" $e /rites4 7e,art 'reely 'rom lo&e to t$e e&erlastin+ tort*re o' $ate >,. 20@. *t

t$e sinners do notfreely de,art into t$e e&erlastin+ 'ire< n t$e !ontrary" t$ey +nas$

t$eir teet$ in t$e 'ire" /itnessin+" as t$e (at$ers ex,lain" to t$eir 'ier!e an+er and

rejection o' t$e *sti!e o' t$eir ,*nis$ment. We may a+ree t$at t$ey $a&e been bro*+$t

to t$is ,li+$t by t$eir o/n sin'*l a!ts" 'reely !ommitted. *t t$ey do not 'reely a!!e,t

t$eir ,*nis$ment 'or t$ose a!ts< #$e od-seer Moses and t$e A,ostle a*l /ere /illin+

to be !ast a/ay 'rom od 'or t$e sake o' t$e sal&ation o' t$eir bret$ren" t$e 6e/s $ere

/e see t$e 'ree a!!e,tan!e o' tort*re and ,*nis$ment" b*t o*t o' lo&e. #$e !ondemned

at t$e 6*d+ement" $o/e&er" /ill not be like t$ese saints" b*t /ill be !ast against t$eir

/ill into t$e eternal 'ire.

A+ain" Kalomiros distorts t$e nat*re o' $ea&en and $ell. :n a t$oro*+$ly modernist"

rationalist manner $e red*!es t$em to'sychological states4 a state o' s*,reme oy and

lo&e enli+$tened by t$e 'ire o' ods +ra!e" on t$e one $and" and a state o' t$e most

abe!t misery and $atred" b*rned b*t not enli+$tened by t$e 'ire o' ods +ra!e" on t$e

ot$er. #$is is $ell4 t$e ne+ation o' lo&e t$e ret*rn o' $ate 'or lo&e bitterness at seein+

inno!ent oy to be s*rro*nded by lo&e and to $a&e $ate in ones $eart. #$is is t$eeternal !ondition o' all t$e damned. #$ey are all dearly lo&ed. #$ey are all in&ited to t$e

oyo*s ban)*et. #$ey are all li&in+ in ods Kin+dom" in t$e Be/ Eart$ and t$e Be/

ea&ens. Bo one ex,els t$em. E&en i' t$ey /anted to +o a/ay t$ey !o*ld not 'lee 'rom

ods Be/ ?reation" nor $ide 'rom ods tenderly lo&in+ omni,resen!e >,. 20@.

5ike all $ereti!s" Kalomiros mixes tr*t$ /it$ 'alse$ood. ;o let *s 'irst 'reely admit /$at

is tr*e in $is a!!o*nt. :t is tr*e t$at a lar+e ,art o' t$e torment o' $ell /ill be t$e $atred

and bitterness t$at !ontin*es to seet$e in t$e sinners $eart to+et$er /it$ remorse"

s$ame and t$e most so*l-destroyin+ des,air. :t is also tr*e t$at t$at bitterness /ill be

exar!ebated by t$e t$o*+$t o' t$e inno!ent oy o' t$e blessed in aradise. >#$is /as

an insi+$t +ranted also to t$e at$eist 6ean-a*l ;artre4 ell is ot$er ,eo,le" $e said.@ :tis tr*e" '*rt$ermore" t$at in a !ertain sense it is ,re!isely ods lo&e t$at torments t$e


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9/11

as bein+ &en+e'*l in a !r*dely $*man and sin'*l manner" as i' t$ey /ere ,ossessed by a

'allen ,assion o' an+er. As t$e Venerable ede /rites4 F#$e so*ls o' t$e ri+$teo*s !ry

t$ese t$in+s" not 'rom $atred o' enemies" b*tfro! love of justice.FC ;o t$e desire t$at

*sti!e s$o*ld be done is not ne!essarily sin'*l it may be ,*re" ,ro!eedin+ not 'rom t$e

'allen ,assion o' an+er" b*t 'rom t$e ,*re lo&e o' *sti!e. :ndeed" /$en t$e 5ord says4

Ven+ean!e is Mine" : /ill re,ay" e is not sayin+ t$at *sti!e and !learly it isretrib*ti&e *sti!e t$at is meant $ere - s$o*ld not be desired" b*t rat$er t$at it s$o*ld be

so*+$t" not t$ro*+$ t$e exer!ise o' t$e 'allen $*man ,assions" b*t t$ro*+$ od" W$o

al/ays a!ts /it$ t$e most ,er'e!t and ,assionless im,artiality.

E&en ;t. asil t$e reat" *,on /$om Kalomiros relies so $ea&ily" does not deny t$e

idea o' retrib*ti&e *sti!e in od and ,re!isely in t$e !ontext o' t$e ri&er o' 'ire. As $e

/rites" !ommentin+ on t$e &erse4 #$e &oi!e o' t$e 5ord di&idet$ t$e 'lame o' 'ire

>salm 28.C@4 #$e 'ire ,re,ared in ,*nis$ment 'or t$e de&il and $is an+els is di&ided

by t$e &oi!e o' t$e 5ord. #$*s" sin!e t$ere are t/o !a,a!ities in 'ire" one o' b*rnin+ and

t$e ot$er o' ill*minatin+" t$e 'ier!e and ,*niti&e ,ro,erty o' t$e 'ire may a/ait t$ose

/$o deser&e to b*rn" /$ile its ill*minatin+ and radiant ,art may be reser&ed 'or t$eenoyment o' t$ose /$o are reoi!in+.H

;o t$e ri&er o' 'ire is,*niti&e 'or t$ose /$o deser&e to b*rn. And it is ,*niti&e in a

retrib*ti&e sense" as ex,ressin+ t$e ,*re lo&e o' *sti!e t$at is ,art o' t$e nat*re o' od.

' !o*rse" od lon+s to $a&e mer!y e&en on t$e most in&eterate sinner. *t i' t$at

sinner does not /is$ to belie&e and re,ent" e /ills t$at t$e sinner s$o*ld be ,*nis$ed -

e&en t$o*+$ t$e ,*nis$ment !an $a&e no re$abilitati&e e''e!t

3. Love nd Justi!e.:' /e seek 'or a dee,er !a*se o' Kalomiros $eresy" /e may 'ind it

in t$e &ery modernist error o' dis!onne!tin+" as it /ere" t$e &al*es o' lo&e" tr*t$ and

*sti!e. Modern man belie&es in lo&e" b*t it is a 'alse" sentimental kind o' lo&e be!a*se

it is not linked to tr*t$ and *sti!e. More ,re!isely" modern man t$inks t$at it is ,ossible

to sa!ri'i!e tr*t$ and *sti!e 'or t$e sake o' lo&e. We are 'amiliar /it$ t$e sa!ri'i!e o'

tr*t$ 'or t$e sake o' lo&e in t$e modern ,an-$eresy o' e!*menism. Kalomiros $eresy

may be des!ribed as an analo+*e to e!*menism only t$e &al*e t$at $e /is$es to

sa!ri'i!e isjustice.

o/e&er" lo&e and *sti!e" mer!y and *d+ement" are inse,arably related in ods

e!onomy. As /e $a&e seen" od !ondemned man to deat$ in Eden &othbe!a*se t$at

/as t$e *st ,*nis$ment o' $is sin andbe!a*se t$ro*+$ deat$" ,aradoxi!ally" t$e s,read

o' sin /o*ld be !*t s$ort" man /o*ld be led to re,entan!e and ?$rist /o*ld des!endinto $ades to sa&e mankind. A+ain" ?$rists ;a!ri'i!e on t$e ?ross /as &oth a s*,reme

a!t o' lo&e 'or 'allen mankind and t$e restoration o' *sti!e in ods relations$i, /it$

man.

#$e ob&erse o' ods lo&e 'or mankind is is /rat$ and $atred o' t$e sin t$at tears

mankind a/ay 'rom eternal li'e in im. ;t. 6o$n o' 7amas!*s /rites4 y /rat$ and

an+er are *nderstood ods $atred and dis+*st in relation to sin" sin!e /e also $ate

t$at /$i!$ does not a!!ord /it$ o*r t$o*+$t and are an+ry /it$ it.8Bo/ $atred o'

sin is t$e same as t$e lo&e o' *sti!e" sin!e *sti!e is t$e destr*!tion o' sin and t$e

restoration o' t$e state o' sinlessness. :t 'ollo/s t$at $e /$o does not lo&e *sti!e 'or its

o/n sake does not $ate sin. And $e /$o does not $ate sin does not lo&e od" W$o $ates


10/11

sin so m*!$ t$at e +a&e is nly-e+otten ;on to die in order t$at sin s$o*ld be

destroyed and man restored to $is ori+inal !ondition o' sinlessness.

:n !on!l*sion" let *s listen to t$e /ords o' ;t. re+ory alamas" /$o !an in no /ay be

a!!*sed o' s!$olasti!ism" b*t /$o em,$asizes" as i' anti!i,atin+ t$e debates o' o*r

time" t$e !riti!al im,ortan!e o'justice4 #$e ,re-eternal" *n!ir!*ms!ribed and almi+$tyWord and omni,otent ;on o' od !o*ld !learly $a&e sa&ed man 'rom mortality and

ser&it*de to t$e de&il /it$o*t imsel' be!omin+ man. e *,$olds all t$in+s by t$e /ord

o' is ,o/er and e&eryt$in+ is s*be!t to is di&ine a*t$ority. A!!ordin+ to 6ob" e !an

do e&eryt$in+ and not$in+ is im,ossible 'or im. #$e stren+t$ o' a !reated bein+ !annot

/it$stand t$e ,o/er o' t$e ?reator" and not$in+ is more ,o/er'*l t$an t$e Almi+$ty.

*t t$e in!arnation o' t$e Word o' od /as t$e met$od o' deli&eran!e most in kee,in+

/it$ o*r nat*re and /eakness" and most a,,ro,riate 'or im W$o !arried it o*t"for this

!ethod had justice on its side, and $od does not act without justice. As t$e salmist

and ro,$et says" od is ri+$teo*s and lo&et$ ri+$teo*sness >salm 11.H@" and t$ere

is no *nri+$teo*sness in im >salm 92.1@. Man /as *stly abandoned by od in t$e

be+innin+ as $e $ad 'irst abandoned od. e $ad &ol*ntarily a,,roa!$ed t$e ori+inatoro' e&il" obeyed $im /$en $e trea!$ero*sly ad&ised t$e o,,osite o' /$at od $ad

!ommanded" and /asjustly +i&en o&er to $im. :n t$is /ay" t$ro*+$ t$e e&il ones en&y

and t$e +ood 5ordsjust !onsent" deat$ !ame into t$e /orld. e!a*se o' t$e de&ils

o&er/$elmin+ e&il" deat$ be!ame t/o'old" 'or $e bro*+$t abo*t not *st ,$ysi!al b*t

also eternal deat$.

As /e $ad beenjustly $anded o&er to t$e de&ils ser&i!e and s*be!tion to deat$" it /as

!learly ne!essary t$at t$e $*man ra!es ret*rn to 'reedom and li'e s$o*ld be

a!!om,lis$ed by od in a just way. Bot only $ad man been s*rrendered to t$e en&io*s

de&il by di&ine ri+$teo*sness" b*t t$e de&il $ad ree!ted ri+$teo*sness and be!ome

/ron+ly enamo*red o' a*t$ority" arbitrary ,o/er and" abo&e all" tyranny. e took *,

arms a+ainstjustice and *sed $is mi+$t a+ainst mankind. :t ,leased od t$at t$e de&il

be o&er!ome 'irst by t$ejustice a+ainst /$i!$ $e !ontin*o*sly 'o*+$t" t$en a'ter/ards

by ,o/er" t$ro*+$ t$e %es*rre!tion and t$e '*t*re 6*d+ement.*ustice &efore 'ower is

the &est order of events" and t$at 'or!e s$o*ld !ome a'terjustice is t$e /ork o' a tr*ly

di&ine and +ood 5ord" not o' a tyrant.

A sa!ri'i!e /as needed to re!on!ile t$e (at$er on i+$ /it$ *s and to san!ti'y *s" sin!e

/e $ad been soiled by 'ello/s$i, /it$ t$e e&il one. #$ere $ad to be a sa!ri'i!e /$i!$

bot$ !leansed and /as !lean" and a ,*ri'ied" sinless ,riest :t /as !learly ne!essary 'or

?$rist to des!end to ades" b*t all these things were done with justice, without which$od does not act.9

6*sti!e be'ore ,o/er" t$e ?ross be'ore t$e %es*rre!tion. And all t$in+s done /it$

*sti!e" /it$o*t /$i!$ od does not a!t. ?learly" *sti!e is no se!ondary as,e!t o' t$e

7i&ine e!onomy" b*t its &ery $eart and essen!e

W$en #$o* !omest" od" *,on t$e eart$ /it$ +lory" t$e /$ole /orld /ill tremble.

#$e ri&er o' 'ire /ill brin+ men be'ore #$y *d+ement-seat" t$e books /ill be o,ened

and t$e se!rets dis!losed. #$en deli&er me 'rom t$e *n)*en!$able 'ire" and !o*nt me

/ort$y to stand on #$y ri+$t $and" 6*d+e most ri+$teo*sF >Kontakion o' Meat'are

;*nday@


11/11

#e'te!&er - Octo&er /, 0012 revised *anuary 3 4e&ruary -0, 0-/.

1: s$all be )*otin+ 'rom t$e text to be 'o*nd at $tt,4II///.stamest$e*st.!omI'eat*resI>00@J20Kalomiros"J20#EJ%:VE%J2...

2Menaion, ;e,tember 1G" reat Ves,ers o' t$e Exaltation o' t$e ?ross" 5ord" : $a&e !ried" loryot$ no/

3;t. 6o$n o' 7amas!*s"5ialogue against the Manichaeans" 3H.

G;t. $oti*s" 5etter 3" to E*sebia" n*n and monasti! s*,erior" on t$e deat$ o' $er sister translated by7es,ina ;trato*daki W$ite.

;t. 6o$n o' t$e 5adder"The Ladder of 5ivine Ascent" 2G.23.

C;t. ede" On $enesisG.10.

H;t. asil" On 6sal! 3.7.

8;t. 6o$n o' 7amas!*s"%8act %8'osition of the Orthodo8 4aith,book :" !$. 11.

9;t. re+ory alamas"o!ily -7" 1"2"21 in ?$risto,$er" The o!ilies of #aint $regory 6ala!as";o*t$ ?anaan" A4 ;aint #ik$ons ;eminary ress" 2002" ,,. 1H9-180" 19G.

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