Author: Vladimir Kharlamov
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
ISBN: 1606081640
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 271
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Book Description
This book traces the emergence and development of the deification theme in Greek patristic theology and its subsequent transformation into the theology of theosis in Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite. This volume dwells on the deification theme as it is situated in the complex context of its historical development and thus avoids the common tendency to treat this notion of Christian theology in an anachronistic manner. Significant attention is given to the influence of Neoplatonism on Pseudo-Dionysius. His theology is justified neither as essentially orthodox Christian nor as essentially orthodox Neoplatonic. Dionysius's sophisticated synthesis of Christian and Neoplatonic elements, especially in his exposition of theosis, does justice to this anonymous author's originality and demonstrates the importance of his influence both on the further development of Christian theology, and on the advancement of the Neoplatonic tradition. The intricate cultural background of the Pseudo-Dionysian world helps clarify the formation process of Christian imperial identity, and throws additional light on why these works were attributed to Dionysius the Areopagite, not as a conscious forgery, but as a literary device. Such attribution was a common practice of the time. Comprehensive analysis of the development of the deification theme opens possibilities for further study of Trinitarian and christological formations, of philosophical and individual moral theology, of Christian and Neoplatonic mysticism, and of cultural studies. By surveying the historical development of deification and by opening further areas of research, this book serves a valuable introductory source for both professionals and students. While primarily focusing on academic interests, the book is written keeping the general reading audience in mind as well. All quotations of the original texts are provided with existing or new English translations, while important Greek terminology is acknowledged. Readers interested in Christian spirituality, late antiquity, early Christian theology, and Neoplatonism will find this book useful.
Author: Vladimir L. Kharlamov
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781109941869
Category : Deification (Christianity)
Languages : en
Pages : 410
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Book Description
This dissertation traces the emergence and development of the deification theme in Greek Patristic theology with its subsequent transformation into the theology of theosis in Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite. The main focus is to present the deification theme as it properly situates in the complex context of its historical development and, thus, to avoid the commonly stated tendency to treat this notion of Christian theology in an anachronistic manner. The universal presence of deification in early Christian writers was often overstated. Historical analysis of the development of the deification theme and the formation of a specific terminology associated with it shows that it was a gradual process, far from being homogeneous. The notion of deification in the first five centuries had a very marginal character, and was often addressed on the periphery of other theological issues. This marginal application of the deification theme indicates that it was predominantly used as a rhetorical tool and a notion of popular theology, as it still lacked coherent systematic theological treatment. The role of Pseudo-Dionysius in consolidation of theosis is crucial, however, it is by no means final. Nevertheless, after Pseudo-Dionysius, theosis experienced not only more systematic treatment as an independent subject of theological discourse, but it becomes one of the basic principles of Byzantine theology and consequently of Eastern Orthodoxy. The peculiar character of Dionysian theology could not be accurately appropriated without study of its relationship to Later Neoplatonism. Therefore, significant attention in this dissertation is given to the aspects of the influence this tradition had on Pseudo-Dionysius, in connection to the deification theme. Pseudo-Dionysian theology is justified neither as essentially "orthodox" Christian nor essentially "orthodox" Neoplatonic. Dionysian intricate synthesis of Christian and Neoplatonic elements, especially in its exposition of theosis, pays better justice to its originality and demonstrates the significance of its influence, both on the further development of Christian theology and the advancement of Neoplatonic tradition.
Author: Vladimir Kharlamov
Publisher: James Clarke & Company
ISBN: 0227900200
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 292
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Book Description
Deification penetrates all spheres of human existence, and can be seen as an answer to most pending ultimate questions. It is essentially practical in its manifestation and uplifting in its content, but nevertheless, always evasive and arcane in itscomprehension. Aimed both at those who are already students of theosis and at those who are looking for an introductory text.
Author: Filip Ivanovic
Publisher: CUA Press
ISBN: 0813231892
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 265
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Book Description
Desiring the Beautiful studies the concept of deification, theosis, in two of the most influential early Christian philosopher-theologians, who might be considered as theoretical consolidators of the idea of theosis, and argues that the proper understanding of their central soteriological concept must take into account its dimension of love and beauty.
Author: Filip Ivanović
Publisher: Cambridge Scholars Publishing
ISBN: 1443834319
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 190
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Book Description
Dionysius the Areopagite between Orthodoxy and Heresy aims to explore the thought of one of the most controversial characters of Christian history, Dionysius the Areopagite, and put it in a correct context, between pagan (namely Neoplatonic) philosophy on the one side, and Christian theology, on the other. In significant part, the book examines Dionysius’ Neoplatonic sources, but it also offers insights into the original points of his philosophy and theology, thus showing how he managed to achieve a masterful integration of pagan thought and newly revealed faith. The chapters of the book, taken together, try to offer a broad insight into the Areopagite’s thought, through examining not just his intellectual background and milieu, but also some of the crucial features of his work, such as notions of hierarchy, deification, apophatic and cataphatic theologies, icon, and others. This work is of a multidisciplinary character, since Dionysius’ thought has been studied from different points of view, so the contributions range from philosophy and theology to history and art history. Dionysius the Areopagite between Orthodoxy and Heresy is intended for both specialists and non-specialists. Apart from being a collection of specific studies, it can also serve as an introduction to the Areopagite’s thought, and will be useful to all those interested in late antique and early Christian philosophy and theology, patristics, and cultural studies in general.
Author: Mélanie V. Walton
Publisher: Lexington Books
ISBN: 0739183427
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 325
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Book Description
Testimony demands the witness to demonstrate her knowledge—that knowledge that she must have by the fact of being a witness to something, even if this something exceeds the possibility of expression by any means amenable to verification. Expressing the Inexpressible in Lyotard and Pseudo-Dionysius: Bearing Witness as Spiritual Exercise rigorously studies the inexpressible expression provoked by two illustrative examples: the silenced testimony of the Holocaust survivor, in Jean-François Lyotard’s The Differend, and the religious faithful, in Pseudo-Dionysius’ The Divine Names. Though coming from vastly different philosophical moments, the methods used by Lyotard and Dionysius prove to dissolve the apparent heterogeneity of postmodernism and Neoplatonist Christian mysticism and open radical new lines of dialogue. Mélanie Victoria Walton critically evaluates each thinker and tradition, rethinks witnessing, testimony, sublimity, and apophaticism, and then engages them together to forge a new reading of silence and eros. The resulting insights will be especially valuable to students and scholars of Continental philosophy, philosophy of religion, theology and religious studies, medieval studies, and Holocaust studies.
Author: Gerald Bray
Publisher: Crossway
ISBN: 1433589222
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 1142
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Book Description
A Historical Examination of Christian Theology through a Trinitarian Framework Theology is important. But so is the story behind the specific doctrines that have been debated, defined, and refined throughout church history. In this book, professor Gerald Bray introduces readers to the history of Christian theology, the Trinity (our doctrine of God), and the Bible (our knowledge of God). Unlike other books on the topic, Bray's volume is not organized primarily by time period or distinct doctrinal categories. Rather, it puts theology first and history second, following a Trinitarian pattern that begins with God the Father, moves on to God the Son, and ends with God the Holy Spirit. This unique approach offers readers a more holistic understanding of the development of theology, paralleling the order in which the church wrestled through challenging theological issues and controversies related to God, man, and salvation. Accessible: Aimed at non-specialists, not just the academic community Unique Organization: Uses a Trinitarian framework to provide a more holistic understanding of the development of theology Historical: Explores the Jewish background behind the development of Christian theology Written by Gerald Bray: An internationally renowned historian and theologian Replaces ISBN 978-1-4335-2694-7
Author: Charles M. Stang
Publisher: Oxford University Press on Demand
ISBN: 0199640424
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 245
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Book Description
This book examines the writings of an early sixth-century Christian mystical theologian who wrote under the name of a convert of the apostle Paul, Dionysius the Areopagite, and argues that the pseudonym and the corresponding influence of Paul are the crucial lens through which to read this influential corpus.
Author: Aquinas Chair in Theology and Philosophy Paul L Gavrilyuk
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0198865171
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 753
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Book Description
This handbook offers a comprehensive and varied study of deification within Christian theology. Forty-six leading experts in the field examine points of convergence and difference on the constitutive elements of deification across different writers, thinkers, and traditions.
Author: Mark Edwards
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1315439581
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 373
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Book Description
This volume illustrates the complexity and variety of early Christian thought on the subject of the image of God as a theological concept, and the difficulties that arise even in the interpretation of particular authors who gave a cardinal place to the image of God in their expositions of Christian doctrine. The first part illustrates both the presence and the absence of the image of God in the earliest Christian literature; the second examines various studies in deification, both implicit and explicit; the third explores the relation between iconography and the theological notion of the image
