Can Non-Orthodox Be Saved? Orthodox Perspectives on Judgment and Heresy
The speaker addresses whether non-Orthodox Christians go to hell, drawing on several Orthodox authorities. Pope Shenouda is cited saying it is not for us to judge who enters the kingdom, only who is inside or outside the Church. St. Augustine in Letter 43 distinguishes between those who hold false doctrine obstinately and those who inherited error from misguided parents yet seek the truth; the latter are not to be counted as heretics.
The speaker illustrates obstinacy with the example of people who would refuse to leave their church even if their beliefs were proven false. Augustine allows that those who received their faith from parents and did not devise heresy themselves may be let off the hook. A modern Coptic father, Gregory, is quoted saying the anathema against the Council of Chalcedon applies to the council itself as heretical, but not to individuals, because only God knows the heart.
The speaker acknowledges personal family ties to Catholics and Protestants and refuses to condemn them. He concludes that one must focus on one's own salvation by following the Church's canons and faith, leaving the salvation of others to God.
Key moments
- 0:03 The speaker raises the question of whether non-Orthodox go to hell and quotes Pope Shenouda that who enters the kingdom is not for us to say, only who is inside or outside the Church.
- 0:03 St. Augustine in Letter 43 says those who hold false doctrine without passion or obstinacy, having received it from misguided parents and seeking truth, are not to be counted heretics.
- 1:05 The speaker gives an example of obstinacy: people who would not leave their church even if their beliefs were proven false.
- 1:05 Augustine allows that those who inherited faith from parents and did not devise heresy themselves may be let off the hook.
- 1:36 The speaker recounts asking a modern Coptic father, Gregory, whether the anathema of Pope Dioscorus and Chalcedon applies to Chalcedonians today.
- 1:36 Gregory answers that the anathema applies to the council of Chalcedon as heretical, but not to individuals, because only God knows the heart.
- 2:08 The speaker acknowledges family members who are Catholic or Protestant and refuses to condemn them to hell.
- 2:08 The speaker says one must worry about one's own salvation by following the Church's canons and faith, and leave others' salvation to God.