A Response
Russ writes:
Jeremy, you write rather broadly and boldy that "Orthodoxy ... is crystal clear, and in complete accordance with Scripture." How so?I posited that Orthodoxy is in complete accordance with and indeed is crystal clear on the fundamental doctrines of [Protestant]Theology. My comment was pointed at your statement, "...to trade the Solas for a sense of tradition..." My intent was to argue that one would not be "trading" the Solas away. It seems to me that one could hold onto at least three, if not four, of the five Solas (the five being Sola Fide, Sola Gratia, Solo Christo, Soli Deo Gloria, and Sola Scriptura).
Although Sola Scriptura would have to be conceded, I believe one could still consistently hold to Sola Fide, Sola Gratia, and Soli Deo Gloria as an Orthodox Christian (Solo Christo aruguably could be held). Orthodox Christians, and Anglicans mind you, will zealously affirm that we are saved on account of God's grace through faith-- that we are not saved by works-- hence we are saved by Divine Grace alone. Moreover, the Orthodox hold that God is the only one to be worshiped and glorified, and that all things are to Him, through Him, and for Him.
You will perhaps claim that I'm being too simplistic, and that I'm missing the deeper conclusions drawn by the Orthodox. I would respond by explaining that indeed one of the strengths of Orthodoxy is its reluctance to get tied up in sticky doctrinal exactitudes, e.g., as one would see in Berkhof's systematic theology or Calvin's Institutes. The Orthodox maintain certain propositions to be true, e.g., "Saved by Grace," without doing a lot of work expatiating the doctrine.
The Orthodox "fence" doctrines while it seems the Protestants positively explain doctrines. I mean by "fence" that they explain just enough that those doctrines inconsistent with or in contradiction with their "fenced" doctrines are exposed. Protestants go much further; they give very detailed, very scholarly presentations of just what the doctrine is and how it is manifested, e.g., The Ordo Salutus, or Predestination. You may see fencing as a weakness; I see it as a strength.
Granted the Orthodox will emphasize certain things over others, and will perhaps word things differently on certain issues, but these facts have not demontrated to my eyes that they are in contradiction to the three, if not four, Solas mentioned above. I have found however, that there are a lot of Orthodox straw men shot down by Protestant authors-- many times by falsely tying Orthodox teaching to Romanist teaching, other times by merely failing to attach the entire Orthodox position.
Take an example. The Orthodox teach that we are working out our own salvation by Grace, and that as a result we must do good works. Protestants will usually point the finger and say, "look! Legalism...works righteousness!" But remember, even Protestants must concede that good works are a necessary factor in the life of a Christian, just as James tells us: "Faith without works is dead." The Orthodox position is NOT legalism.
I will not deny however that certain Orthodox teachings are inconsistent with Calvinistic teachings. I grant that the Orthodox do want to hold onto man's free will, and that they emphasize sanctification more than justification, but those things can be argued on their own at another time.
As an aside, I feel it important to point out that I am not trying to attack Protestants, but rather Protestantism and some of its inherent principles. I have not convinced myself of Orthodoxy, nor the invalidity of Protestantism altogether, but I do think there are some vexing questions that need to be accounted for, and I hope that we all can sharpen one another with truth and humility.
Posted by jeremy stock at April 3, 2002 09:55 PM