Orthodox Readings of AquinasThis book is the first exploration of the remarkable odyssey of Thomas Aquinas in the Orthodox Christian world, from the Byzantine to the modern era. Aquinas was received with astonishing enthusiasm across the Byzantine theological spectrum. By contrast, modern Orthodox readings of Aquinas have been resoundingly negative, routinely presenting Aquinas as the archetype of as a specifically Western form of theology against which the Orthodox East must set its face. Basing itself primarily on a close study of the Byzantine reception of Thomas, this study rejects such hackneyed dichotomies, arguing instead for a properly catholic or universal construal of Orthodoxy - one in which Thomas might once again find a place. In its probing of the East-West dichotomy, this book questions the widespread juxtaposition of Gregory Palamas and Thomas Aquinas as archetypes of opposing Greek and Latin theological traditions. The long period between the Fall of Constantinople and the Russian Revolution, conventionally written off as an era of sterility and malformation for Orthodox theology, is also viewed with a fresh perspective. Study of the reception of Thomas in this period reveals a theological sophistication and a generosity of vision that is rarely accounted for. In short, this is a book which radically re-thinks the history of Orthodox theology through the prism of the fascinating and largely untold story of Orthodox engagement with Aquinas. |
Contents
1354 and all that | 1 |
GREEK EAST AND LATIN WEST AN EXERCISE IN MULTIPLE PERSPECTIVE | 7 |
BYZANTINE READINGS OF AQUINAS | 61 |
OTTOMAN ERA AND MODERN ORTHODOX READINGS OF AQUINAS | 135 |
Bibliography | 229 |
| 257 | |
| 273 | |
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appears approach Aquinas arguments Aristotelian Aristotle Augustine authority Barlaam Byzantine Catholic century certainly Chapters Christ Christian Church close Commentary Constantinople Council critical Demetrios demonstrates developments discussion distinction divine doctrine early East and West errors especially essence evident example fact faith Fathers figure filioque Florovsky further Gennadios George given gives Greek Gregory historical Holy Spirit human John Kabasilas Kydones largely Latin Letter light Lossky Mark matter nature Neilos Nicholas opposition Orthodox Orthodox theology Palamas Palamite particular Patriarch patristic period persons philosophy position possible presentation procession Prochoros question reading reason reception reference regard relations remains represents respect response Roman Russian Saint Scholarios scholastic scholasticism scripture sources Spirit Summa teaching theologians theology Theophanes Thomas Thomas Aquinas Thomism Thomist tradition Transfiguration translation treatise treatment Trinity union various vision Western wisdom