Ex Oriente Lux? Recent Developments in Eastern Orthodox Theology

Svensk Teologisk Kvartalskrift. Årg. 89 (2013) Ex oriente lux? Recent developments in Eastern Orthodox Theology GÖSTA HALLONSTEN Dr. Gösta Hallonsten is professor of Systematic Theology at Lund University and the current editor of Svensk Teologisk Kvartalskrift. He wrote his dissertation on the concept of satisfaction in Tertullian under the supervision of professor Per Erik Persson. In addition to the two monographs on Satisfactio bei Tertullian (1984) and Meritum bei Tertullian (1985) he has published on ecumenical theology, Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Theology. A textbook on Eastern Churches in Sweden (Östkyrkor i Sverige) was published in 1992. Dr. Hallonsten has taught at the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC and is ad- junct professor at the Newman Institute in Uppsala. In his inaugural lecture as a professor of Sys- and West, theologically speaking. As a matter of tematic Theology at this university, Per Erik fact Per Erik Persson, though firmly grounded in Persson started by quoting the famous words of the Lutheran tradition, had set out to explore the Rudyard Kipling: ”East is East and West is possibilities for a dialogue between the three West, and never the twain shall meet.” The in- main branches of Christianity: Protestantism, augural lecture was entitled ”East and West in Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy. In Theology” and was given almost exactly 50 an unpublished manuscript, which was part of years ago, on March 9, 1963. Two years earlier, his application for the post, he had analyzed con- when being interviewed for the same post, Per temporary Orthodox theology. ”Divine and Hu- Erik Persson had given another lecture, which man. Studies on the distinctive Character of Or- testified to his early interest and deep knowledge thodox Theology in Relation to Western of contemporary Eastern Orthodox Theology. tradition” – the title again might suggest that The topic of the latter lecture was ”The Problem Kipling would gain the upper hand.2 This, how- of Synergism, as seen from the Perspective of ever, is not the case. Rather, Per Erik Persson in the Theology of the Orthodox Churches”.1 that manuscript argued persuasively that the ”distinctive character” of Eastern Orthodox theology should be taken as a challenge and an invi- tation for a dialogue between East and West. “The Distinctive Character of From the perspective of the Roman-Catholic- Orthodox Theology” Lutheran controversies on Faith and Works, We should not assume, however, that the young Scripture and Tradition, Church and ministry, a Dr Persson concurred with Kipling regarding the quite different perspective opens up in Eastern impossibility of a rapprochement between East Orthodox theology. Orthodox theology basically does not fit into Western concepts. It transcends our differences. 1 Per Erik Persson, ”Synergismens problem, belyst Basing his argument on Orthodox authors utifrån de ortodoxa kyrkornas teologi”. In: Svensk Te- available in modern Western languages fifty ologisk Kvartalskrift 37 (1961), 236-47 (German translation in: Materialdienst des konfessionskundli- years ago, Persson worked out very clearly, in chen Instituts Bensheim 1962, 81-87.) Id, ”Öst och the mentioned writings, the main critique of the Väst i teologin”. In: Svensk Teologisk Kvartalskrift 39 (1963), 88-97. 2 The unpublished manuscript was written in Swedish. 32 Gösta Hallonsten Orthodox over against Western tradition as rep- East and West - The Controversy resented by those Orthodox theologians. Among Reading books by Greek or Russian Orthodox the authors referred to by Persson were a number theologians in exile written before the 1960s or of Greek theologians, active in the Ecumenical 70s, what immediately strikes you is the harsh movement. Further, he referred to important polemics, first of all over against Roman Catho- Russian theologians in exile; notably Nikolaj lic and (neo-) Scholastic theology. It is not only Berdjajev, Sergei Bulgakov, Paul Evdokimov, that the old issues of the schism between East Georges Florovsky, Vladimir Lossky and Niko- and West are repeated, especially the filioque lai Zernov should be especially mentioned. The and the Primacy of the Pope. There is heavy crit- importance of the fact that Per Erik Persson icism especially towards such concepts as “cre- around 1960 focused upon this vibrant Russian ated grace”, as well as a number of concepts and theology cannot be over-emphasized. The influ- distinctions that were designed by Scholasticism ence of Orthodox theology and tradition in the and further refined in course of the Neo- West and in the Ecumenical movement has in- Scholastic period. Critique is given over against creased ever since. Roman Catholic teaching on penance, including In addressing the topic of “recent trends in the distinction between venial and mortal sins, Eastern Orthodox theology”, I would like to take between temporal and eternal punishments, and as my point of departure the type of Orthodox further towards the teachings of Purgatory and theology that Per Erik Persson analyzed in his Indulgences. This seems that Orthodox and writings fifty years ago. What was the concern Reformation theology are proceeding along the of this theology? What are the main points of same lines of polemics. As Per Erik Persson criticism over against Western theology and points to in his writings on Orthodoxy, this how- what options does it offer to overcome Western ever is not the case. Protestantism and Roman deadlocks in theology? To answer those ques- Catholicism basically share a common tradition, tions it is of importance to also pay attention to which makes up the context within which those the background and context regarding this type controversies are worked out. If Roman Catholic of Orthodox theology. We should also take into theology is seen as the thesis, then Protestant account the general ecumenical context fifty theology, naturally, makes up the anti-thesis. Yet years ago on the brink of the Second Vatican Orthodox theology is by no means the synthesis, Council. Departing from this, I would like to combining elements from both. Rather it is of a continue by comparing this situation and the quite different kind. This can be exemplified by concerns and critique of those Orthodox theolo- the famous correspondence between the Witten- gians with the development of Orthodox- berg theologians and the Ecumenical Patriar- Western theological dialogue in course of the chate of Constantinople in the 1570s.3 The last fifty years. Here I shall refer first to the offi- shared critique over against Rome did not result cial dialogues between Orthodoxy and the West. in the expected support of the Greek Orthodox I will pose the question: to what extent did the towards Reformation theology. As a matter of issues that were so important to Orthodox theol- fact the mentioned correspondence shows that ogy and exerted influence upon the West fifty there was not much common ground between the years ago play out in the dialogue between the parties, and the Patriarch asked the Wittenberg Churches? Then, as a third part, I would like to theologians to end the correspondence. In con- come back to more contemporary Orthodox the- nection with those contacts, the already existing ology in the academic sense, pointing out some Greek translation of the Augsburg Confession interesting developments that both confirm and played a certain role. The difficulties in finding call in question some of the concerns and theses of an earlier generation of Orthodox theologians. 3 Dorothea Wendebourg, Reformation und Orthodo- xie: Der ökumenische Briefwechsel zwischen der Lei- tung der Württembergischen Kirche und Patriarch Jeremias II. von Konstantinopel in den Jahren 1573- 81. Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht 1986. Ex oriente lux? Recent developments… 33 Greek equivalents for words like meritum and other the works of sin and death, those latter be- satisfactio clearly illustrates the difference being a deformation of true humanity”.7 tween East and West at the time. Merit and satis- What has been said so far is clearly focused faction, as we know, were not only concepts upon by the Orthodox theologians that Per Erik used in Scholastic teachings on good works and Persson refers to in his writings. Orthodox the- on penance, respectively. Here the Reformers ology of the 20th Century has clearly worked out rejected the use of the concepts. Yet, since the its profile in contradistinction to Western theol- High Middle Ages the doctrine of Satisfaction of ogy. It is not only that Orthodox theology trans- Anselm of Canterbury had become the leading cends the dichotomies and controversies of idea in talking about the importance of Christ’s Western tradition. When reading the writings death for sinners. Regarding this issue the Re- especially of Russian exile theologians one easi- formers basically took over medieval atonement ly gets the impression that this type of Orthodox theology, and this has remained the dominant theology needs to be seen against the dark back- tradition in most Western theology until recent- ground of Western tradition with all its unneces- ly. 4 sary controversies and deadlocks. And as a mat- A further, highly interesting point, which Per ter of fact, this has been so to a great extent. Erik Persson focused upon in one of his lectures, Anti-Western emotions and certain resentment is the problem of synergism. As is well known, characterize much of 20th Century Orthodox the- in the 16th Century, there arose a controversy in ology. Lutheran circles over synergism. This controversy emerged out of the very heart of the Refor- mation concerns. At stake was the teaching on Justification through faith alone, without works. The Role of (Neo-)Scholasticism and Hence, although the sola fide from the very be- German Idealism ginning was a main concern of the Lutheran There is an historical explanation for this re- reformation, the issue of faith and works, or sentment which I will only be able to hint at in 5 grace and good works, remained controversial.

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