Adam, the Fall, and Assurance of Salvation

Episode 22 —Orthodoxy and Assurance of SalvationWhat happens to assurance of salvation when you become Orthodox?For many Protestants, this is one of the biggest obstacles to considering Orthodoxy. In this episode, I share why it was one of my biggest questions as well—and why I eventually realized that Orthodoxy isn't simply giving a different answer to assurance. It's asking a different question altogether.We'll explore:Why assurance is the logical conclusion of a particular understanding of the Fall.How Calvinism and the Wesleyan tradition, despite their disagreements, share many of the same assumptions about original sin, the human will, and salvation.Why the Orthodox Church begins with union with Christ rather than guaranteed perseverance.The role of Baptism as an objective union with Christ—not merely a symbol of a prior experience.Why Christ's command to "abide in Me" becomes central to the Orthodox understanding of the Christian life.How the early Church Fathers, especially St. Cyril of Jerusalem, describe God's gracious initiative and man's genuine response.Why Ephesians 2 may be emphasizing humanity's bondage to sin, death, and the devil more than constructing a doctrine of total inability.Why assurance ultimately depends on where we place our confidence.Rather than grounding assurance in ourselves, Orthodoxy directs our eyes to Christ—the One who united us to Himself, continually calls us to repentance, feeds us with His own Body and Blood, and remains faithful.Scripture DiscussedGenesis 1:31Matthew 16:24John 15:1–10Acts 2:38Romans 6:3–5Romans 11:221 Corinthians 10:12Galatians 3:27Colossians 1:21–23Ephesians 2:1–5Historical Figures MentionedSt. Cyril of JerusalemSt. AugustineMartin LutherJohn CalvinJohn WesleyGeorge WhitefieldCharles H. SpurgeonPaul WasherJames H. BrookesSt. John ChrysostomMentioned ResourcesR.C. Sproul, The Pelagian Captivity of the ChurchThe Westminster Confession of Faith (1646)The 1689 London Baptist ConfessionSt. John Chrysostom's Paschal HomilyIf this episode was helpful, please consider subscribing and sharing it with someone exploring Orthodoxy. If you have questions or topics you'd like me to cover in future episodes, I'd love to hear from you.Christ is risen!