An Analysis of Eastern Objective Soteriology

Abstract

This article is an examination of Eastern ontologicalorganic objective soteriology. The study gives a definition and briefly describes the genesis of this movement in soteriology, its formation and development from the second century up until modern times (restoration and revitalization in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries). The article also covers the main principles of this teaching and gives a biblical analysis of its vision, examining the strengths and weaknesses of Eastern soteriology. The main problem of the Eastern vision in the viewpoint of the author is discussed, namely the question of what kind of nature the Lord took upon Himself in the incarnation. It is also stated that the strongest side of this approach is the explanation of the work of Christ as the ontological transfiguration of our nature in Himself. The article presents the originality of this view of salvation and points out that the Eastern vision can provide the basis for an evangelical understanding of atonement and justification, as well as the basis for the evangelical churches’ apologetic of truth as an organic part of the redeemed Body of Christ. This article is useful for theology students studying historical, systematic, and comparative theology as an introduction to the doctrine of Eastern soteriology.