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Heaven and Hell

Introduction

(The content for this theme is distributed across the 4 units.  This introduction summarises these 4 themes only.  For catechetical resources, see each cycle unit).

Probably one of the most significant differences between Orthodox Christianity concerns the final term of salvation ... the outcome, heaven or hell.  That both states exist in the Scriptures and the Tradition of the Church is incontestable yet Orthodox Christianity in this regard is based on a fundamentally premise than that familiar within non-Orthodox Christianity.  In Orthodoxy God is never constrained to punish humanity by a necessity of justice.  Indeed hell is not a punishment at all but rather a self inflicted consequence of human alienation from God (as is death).  The resurrection is God's victory for us over that which has placed a barrier between us and God.  Acquiring the fruits of this victory is the whole purpose of the Christian life in the Spirit.  In the Pascha Cycle unit ("Love and Judgement") we explore how this is taught in Scripture and Tradition.

The unseen world is not limited to the after-death state in Orthodox Christianity.  The angelic realm (both heavenly and diabolical) is a distinct aspect of creation intersecting with our own.  Christians have guardian angels, evil spirits affect humanity now as ever before.  We are set in an arena of conflict, of "principalities and powers" (Ephesians 6:12).  In the Pentecost unit ("Angels and Demons") we explore how we need to learn the battle strategies of asceticism in this arena.

In "Universalism?" (Holy Cross Cycle - note the question mark!) we examine the possibility or otherwise of a reconciliation of all to (God), that in fact Hell is finally empty.  Can this be consistent with an Orthodox understanding of heaven and hell?  We consider the evidence, the arguments, the objections, the history of this debate within the life and witness of the Orthodox Church.

Finally, the New Testament joyously proclaims a "New Creation," (2 Corinthians 5:17 - personal; Romans 8:21 - cosmic).  What does this mean precisely and how does it relate to the resurrection?  What is the essence of Christian hope, the promise of eternal life?  This will form the consideration of the Nativity cycle unit.

Exploration

Pascha Cycle - "Love and Judgement"

Pentecost Cycle - "Angels and Demons"

Holy Cross - "Universalism?"

Nativity - "New Creation"

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